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→Muromachi Era (1394-1595)
The swords of this era can be divided to three groups:
The swords of this era can be divided to three groups:
====Early Muromachi (1394-1466)====
As the armies grew, the mounted soldiers became ever rarer, and the main force of armies consisted of foot soldiers. Even if many Tachi were still made, the time of the Katana was already dawning. Shorter blades were easier to carry and faster to draw. The centre of curvature of the blade moved to the center as the blades were increasingly designed for a fast draw and to be used on foot. Most swords were 69,7-72,7 cm in length and narrowed towards the point.
As the armies grew, the mounted soldiers became ever rarer, and the main force of armies consisted of foot soldiers. Even if many Tachi were still made, the time of the Katana was already dawning. Shorter blades were easier to carry and faster to draw. The centre of curvature of the blade moved to the center as the blades were increasingly designed for a fast draw and to be used on foot. Most swords were 69,7-72,7 cm in length and narrowed towards the point.
====Middle Muromachi (1467-1554)====
As the mobility of troops became strategically more important, the swords got even shorter. Most swords manufactured in this period were 60-65 cm long and had the same width all the length of the blade. Such blades were suitable for chopping with one hand and for quick-draw. These Katana are referred to as '''Katate-uchi'''. Katate means one hand. There is no difference of width between '''Monouchi''' and '''Habakimoto''' and the shape has a strong appearance. Nakago became to be short to be suitable for one-hand grip.
As the mobility of troops became strategically more important, the swords got even shorter. Most swords manufactured in this period were 60-65 cm long and had the same width all the length of the blade. Such blades were suitable for chopping with one hand and for quick-draw. These Katana are referred to as '''Katate-uchi'''. Katate means one hand. There is no difference of width between '''Monouchi''' and '''Habakimoto''' and the shape has a strong appearance. Nakago became to be short to be suitable for one-hand grip.
The Katana is replacing the Tachi. The ever-increasing need for swords also meant that not all swords were manufactured to the same high standards as before. The term
The Katana is replacing the Tachi. The ever-increasing need for swords also meant that not all swords were manufactured to the same high standards as before. The term
Wakizashi also became to be made and the length are about 40cm. They were
Wakizashi also became to be made and the length are about 40cm. They were
made in '''Hira-zukuri''' and have no Sori. Shinto deities and Buddhas or Sanskrit characters engraved on the blade. These engravings are called '''Horimono'''. This type of Wakizashi is characteristic of in this period.
made in '''Hira-zukuri''' and have no Sori. Shinto deities and Buddhas or Sanskrit characters engraved on the blade. These engravings are called '''Horimono'''. This type of Wakizashi is characteristic of in this period.
A particular type of Tanto, called '''Yoroi-doshi''' (armor-piercing began to be made. Yoroi-doshi is to stab enemy through a crevice of armor and the cross-section triangular. Very thick but not broad, with a very strong Kissaki, not very long.
A particular type of Tanto, called '''Yoroi-doshi''' (armor-piercing began to be made. Yoroi-doshi is to stab enemy through a crevice of armor and the cross-section triangular. Very thick but not broad, with a very strong Kissaki, not very long.
====Late Muromachi (1555-1595)====
In the 12th year of Tenmon, a.D. 1543, the face of warfare in Japan was changed forever. This year the Portuguese first introduced firearms to Japan ,named Tanegashima '''Teppo''' from the isle in the southern Kyushu where the first portugueses casually landed. Japanese Daimyo immediately realized the potential of such a weapon, and soon Japan begun the country with the higher number of arquebuses all around the world. A Teppo is very effective and needs much less training in front of a '''Yumi''' the Japanese bow.
In the 12th year of Tenmon, a.D. 1543, the face of warfare in Japan was changed forever. This year the Portuguese first introduced firearms to Japan ,named Tanegashima '''Teppo''' from the isle in the southern Kyushu where the first portugueses casually landed. Japanese Daimyo immediately realized the potential of such a weapon, and soon Japan begun the country with the higher number of arquebuses all around the world. A Teppo is very effective and needs much less training in front of a '''Yumi''' the Japanese bow.
Even if the early guns were not accurate and it took a long time to reload,
Even if the early guns were not accurate and it took a long time to reload,