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'''Edo''' Era
'''Edo''' Era
Here starts the '''Shinto''' time. Shinto means "new swords" and entered the
Here starts the '''Shinto''' time. Shinto means "new swords" and entered
common use in Meiji time. It refers to swords made with new materials and
the common use in Meiji time. It refers to swords made with new materials and
new methods, both enhanced by a better technology. This is true especially for
new methods, both enhanced by a better technology. This is true especially for
the process of extracting steel from ore, that now gives a much better starting
the process of extracting steel from ore, that now gives a much better starting
The increased transportation facilities made them able to travel and settle
The increased transportation facilities made them able to travel and settle
wherever they wanted and begun to live in castle towns or big cities.
wherever they wanted and begun to live in castle towns or big cities.
Due to this ability to travel and learn the started to mix the old styles
Due to this ability to travel and learn and because of the loss of most of the knowledge of Koto times for the already mentioned period of mass-producing, they started to
and the old classification in five schools was no more
mix the old styles and the old classification in five schools was no more.
Therefore, individual characteristics appeared much more pronounced than before
Therefore, individual characteristics appeared much more pronounced than before
Tamahagane was mass-produced in this period, becaming more uniform and of better
Tamahagane was mass-produced in this period, becaming more uniform and of better
quality, with less impurity. So even local characteristic of materials are, from now on
quality, with less impurity. So even local characteristic of materials are,
no more a matter for determining the provenience of a blade.
from now on, no more of help for determining the provenience of a blade.
An easy-to-find (but not definitive neither exclusive) difference between
An easy-to-find (but not definitive neither exclusive) difference between
between Koto and Shinto is the Boshi shape.
between Koto and Shinto is the Boshi shape.
Koto time Boshi was Midare-ba matching the Midare-ba Hamon,
Koto time Boshi was Midare-ba matching the Midare-ba Hamon, whether in
whether in Shinto time became to be Sugu-ha thought Hamon on
Shinto time became to be Sugu-ha thought Hamon on the blade was Midare-ba.
the blade was Midare-ba.
Edo period is divided in five periods, the last two being the ShinShinto
Edo period is divided in five sword periods, the last two being the ShinShinto
period.
period.
Keigen is a name of an era in Shinto time made by mixing
Keigen is a name of an era in Shinto time made by mixing
the initial part of the eras Keicho and Genna.
the initial part of the eras Keicho and Genna.
Swords made during these eras, Keicho and Genna, Keigen-Shinto.
Swords made during these eras, Keicho and Genna, are called Keigen-Shinto.
In this period a lot of Tachi made in the Nanbokucho period were shortened
In this period a lot of Tachi made in the Nanbokucho period were shortened
to adjust the size at about 70cm inorder to put them on the waist as requested
to adjust the size at about 70cm in order to wear them in the waist as requested
by the new fighting style (and fashion).
by the new fighting style (and fashion).
Mihaba near the Kissaki and near Nakago is almost same size and Kissaki is
Mihaba near the Kissaki and near Nakago is almost same size and Kissaki is