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made in this school of swordmaking, being the traders forbidden to own a
made in this school of swordmaking, being the traders forbidden to own a
long sword. Nonetheless this wealthy class begun to show their real status wearing extremely well made koshirae and pretending top-quality swords. '''Sukehiro''' is the most famous smith of the Osaka school in this period. As Kotetsu’s ones, their blades are rated as
long sword. Nonetheless this wealthy class begun to show their real status wearing extremely well made koshirae and pretending top-quality swords. '''Sukehiro''' is the most famous smith of the Osaka school in this period. As Kotetsu’s ones, their blades are rated as
'''Sai Jo O Wazamono''', the top of the top in cutting ability. Tests were made to fix such a classification, but this tests weren’t performed with Koto blades, considered too valuable to risk them in '''Tameshigiri''', so this classification must be taken with a grain of salt. Most swords in this period shows '''Yakidashi''' and from now on the hamon type
'''Sai Jo O Wazamono''', the top of the top in cutting ability. Tests were made to fix such a classification, but this tests weren’t performed with Koto blades, considered too valuable to risk them in '''Tameshigiri''', so this classification must be taken with a grain of salt. Most swords in this period shows '''Yakidashi''' and from now on the hamon type called '''Toran-Ha''' becomes in fashion.
called '''Toran-Ha''' becomes in fashion.
* Genroku-Shinto period (1684 -1763)
Genroku is belived to be a golden period for art and manufacturing.
People (including Samurai) fell into luxurious habits and begun corrupted.
In this time famous '''Yoshimune''' held the eighth shogunate and acted in
order to recover social conditions, especially of the Samurai that were
highly indebted toward the traders class.
In 1719, Yoshimune ordered each Daimyo to make a report stating the names
of swordsmiths living in his territory. After this, Yoshimune asked the
Daimyo to select representative swordsmiths of their territory and called
them to Edo Castle, commanding them to make swords there. Yoshimune choose
three most excellent sword smith and allowed them to engrave '''Aoi-mon'''
(an emblem of Tokugawa family) on their works. Nothwithstanding Yoshimune's
efforts, the age became to be a sufferings time for swordsmiths due to the
decreasing martial spirit of the Samurai. In this time a good finance was
better then a good fighting ability. Therefore, the demand of swords dropped
sharply.
The shape of a sword in this period was not as straight as in Kanbun, but
it returned curved and the width near Kissaki was smaller than near Nakago.
Swordsmiths in order to achieve orders begun to gave full play to their
technique on Hamon making hardened edges as drawings. Mount Fuji,
Mums on water and repeated fantasy designs can be found in Hamon of this
period. Very skilfully made but far to achieve the feel of more traditional
ones.