'Once Swung and Swept Away...' Yi Sun-sin's Long Sword Designated as National Treasure

A Pair of Similar-Sized Swords Preserved as Treasures
Reaching 2 Meters in Length...Patriotic Will Inscribed on the Blade's Upper Side
"Likely Used for Ceremonial or Meditative Purposes"

The noble spirit of Admiral Yi Sun-sin (1545?1598) is embodied in a long sword that is now managed as a National Treasure. On the 24th, the Cultural Heritage Administration announced that the 'Yi Sun-sin Janggeom' has been designated as a National Treasure, and the treasure 'Yi Sun-sin Relics Collection' has been supplemented with a 'Yodae Ham'.

The Yi Sun-sin Janggeom is a pair of swords of similar size and shape that have been managed as treasures since 1963. Each sword is about 2 meters long and comes with its own scabbard. The sword handles are made by wrapping fish skin (eopi) around wood and painting it red. To prevent slipping when held, rectangular metal plates were attached, and black-painted leather straps were crossed in an 'X' shape around the handle.

On the blade, there are verses composed by Yi Sun-sin himself. On the blade of the sword measuring 196.8 cm in length, the inscription reads 'Samcheok Seocheonsanhadongsaek (三尺誓天山河動色)', which means 'Swearing by the three-foot sword to heaven, the mountains and rivers tremble.' On the other sword, 197.2 cm long, the phrase 'Ilhwi Sotang Hyeolyeom Sanha (一揮掃蕩血染山河)' is inscribed, meaning 'With one sweep, blood stains the mountains and rivers.'

The Cultural Heritage Administration explained, "This matches the records in the 'Yi Chungmugong Jeonseo (1795)'," and added, "Inside the sword handle, there is an inscription 'Gaposa-wol-il Jo Taegwiryun Lee Museong Jak (甲午四月日造太貴連李茂生作)', indicating that it was made in April of the Gap-o year by Taegwiryun and Lee Museong." The Gap-o year corresponds to 1594.

The Yi Sun-sin Janggeom exhibits the traditional style of military swords from the Joseon Dynasty. However, the method of crossing leather straps in an 'X' shape to firmly grip the handle, the curvature of the blade, and the way the blood groove (hyeoljo) was made are presumed to be influenced by Japanese swords.

The Cultural Heritage Administration regarded it as a relic of great value symbolizing Admiral Yi's historical significance. They highly evaluated the sharpness of the blade, the wave-patterned line engravings, the silver inlay technique decorating the edges and rings of the handle and scabbard, the use of traditional crafts, the refined sense of balance, and the excellent preservation state. Given its length of 2 meters, it is considered unlikely that it was used in actual combat. Lee Sang-hoon, former deputy director of the Army Museum who participated in the relic's field investigation, stated, "It is presumed to have been used more for ceremonial purposes or for calming the mind rather than for practical combat," adding, "Old documents rarely record the use of such a large sword in real battle."

Initially, the Cultural Heritage Administration announced the National Treasure designation under the name 'Yi Sun-sin Jangdo.' However, considering that the term 'geom' (sword) is used to elevate the status of a sword in relation to authority or ceremony, and that 'geom' is used even for single-edged swords when emphasizing a specific owner or clear purpose, the name was changed accordingly.

The Yodae Ham, managed as a treasure, is a round wooden box. It was made in a style where the yodae (belt) is placed inside and covered like a lid. Large trees were cut and scabbards were inserted at regular intervals to stand upright. After applying a bamboo sheath to the wooden panels, the exterior was painted black and the interior red. The Cultural Heritage Administration explained, "It was made using traditional craft techniques and a high level of skill, and compared to similar relics, it is very large and well preserved." They further predicted, "Preserving it together with the already designated treasure 'Yodae' will enhance its value as well."