X-Ray Proves He Swallows Sword

Photo Credit: Chicago Sun-Times
Date: 13 Dec 1936

Originating in India before 2000 BC, the deadly art of sword swallowing has a long and varied history. During its early history it was used as a demonstration of divine union and power. The migration of the art to other lands, most notably China in the 8th century, saw its transformation from divine demonstration to theatrical production. It quickly migrated to Japan, where it became a central part of the Japanese acrobatic theatre, Sangaku--an array of performances that included fire eating, tightrope walking, juggling and early illusion. Simultaneous to the arts' eastern migration was a migration to the north and west, all the way to Greece and Rome in the 1st centuries AD. Sword swallowing was performed during the Middle Ages as part of street theatre and was popular at festivals and other large gatherings. However, from the founding of the Holy Inquisition in 1231, it and other forms of religious persecution slowly spread in their influence throughout Europe. Sword swallowers along with jugglers, magicians, prophets and other performers, found themselves increasingly the target of religious persecution, being condemned and executed as heretics, witches and practitioners of the dark arts.

Sword swallowing began to die out in the mid-19th century, but in 1893 sword swallowing was featured at the World Columbian Exposition at the Chicago World's Fair and spawned the beginning of the popularity of the American practice of the art. Sword swallowing became a stunt, and as such, it became competitive, where there seemed to be an undue focus on the novel and bizarre in the American practice. It is during this time that we see a growing popularity with swallowing longer swords, multiple swords, hot swords, bayonets recoiled down the throat, glowing neon tubes and so forth. With the growing interest in the art came clever innovations. In fact, one could often find sword swallowers on the same bill as the magic greats such as Houdini, clearly indicating their appeal. But by the mid-20th century there was a demise in circuses in general and sideshows in particular. Today there remains only one full-time permanent sideshow in the world, the Coney Island Sideshows by the Seashore, in New York City, and a very few smaller traveling sideshows.

Source: Sword Swallowers Association International