Changes

24 bytes added ,  15:48, 10 November 2006
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period.
 
period.
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* Keigen-Shinto period (1596 - 1623)
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====Keigen-Shinto period (1596 - 1623)====
    
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
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brigter then the japanese one and soon the fashion went out.   
 
brigter then the japanese one and soon the fashion went out.   
 
   
 
   
* Kanbun-Shinto period (1658 -1683)   
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====Kanbun-Shinto period (1658 -1683)====    
    
In this period the center of swordmaking were Edo and Osaka, and new style  
 
In this period the center of swordmaking were Edo and Osaka, and new style  
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'''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.     
 
'''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.     
   −
* Genroku-Shinto period (1684 -1763)
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====Genroku-Shinto period (1684 -1763)====
    
Genroku is belived to be a golden period for art and manufacturing.  
 
Genroku is belived to be a golden period for art and manufacturing.  
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* First Half of Shinshinto (1764 - 1829)
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====First Half of Shinshinto (1764 - 1829)====
    
As Sukehiro and Shinkai were highly praised by Kamada Natae in his book  
 
As Sukehiro and Shinkai were highly praised by Kamada Natae in his book  
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* Latter half of Shinshinto (1830 - 1868)
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====Latter half of Shinshinto (1830 - 1868)====
    
Till to 1868 swords which more emphasized mighty shape were made in this  
 
Till to 1868 swords which more emphasized mighty shape were made in this  
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the time of modernization known as '''Meiji restoration'''.
 
the time of modernization known as '''Meiji restoration'''.
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It's '''Gendai''' time from now on.
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==The Modern Era==
 
In order to modernize the nation Meiji Tenno needed to delete the ancient  
 
In order to modernize the nation Meiji Tenno needed to delete the ancient  
 
classes and establish more modern ones. The samurai were deprived of their  
 
classes and establish more modern ones. The samurai were deprived of their  
 
old privileges - including the right to carry the Daisho, that has been  
 
old privileges - including the right to carry the Daisho, that has been  
 
prerogative of their class for almost 250 years.  
 
prerogative of their class for almost 250 years.  
Nonetheless, Meiji Tenno can be considered a Nihonto lover and he took many
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Nonetheless, Meiji Tenno can be considered a Nihonto lover and he took many steps to preserve the ancient traditions in this art. His actions were a mere necessity.  
steps to preserve the ancient traditions in this art. His actions were
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a mere necessity.  
      
With no market for swords most smiths had to find some other source of  
 
With no market for swords most smiths had to find some other source of  
income leaving the production of blades. A lot of knowledge has been lost here, as already happened before. While the growing militarism colonial wars once again made  
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income leaving the production of blades. A lot of knowledge has been lost here, as already happened before. While the growing militarism colonial wars once again made swords necessary, most of these were mass-produced in factories and so can't be considered NihonTo.The period from 1895 to 1925 was an harsh one for the Japanese sword, and most of the tatara were lost, as well as tradictions and schools.  
swords necessary, most of these were mass-produced in factories and so can't
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With a strong army at power and the nationalism pushing ofr national proudness the Japan in the 1930’s saw a brief re-born of traditional sword manufacturers, and the '''Yasukuni Jinja''' Tatara is surely the best of this period.  
be considered NihonTo.The period from 1895 to 1925 was an harsh one for the
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Japanese sword, and most of the tatara were lost, as well as tradictions  
  −
and schools.  
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With a strong army at power and the nationalism pushing ofr national proudness  
  −
the Japan in the 1930’s saw a brief re-born of traditional sword manufacturers, and the '''Yasukuni Jinja''' Tatara is surely the best of this period.  
   
The best swords made in this period are from Yasukuni, and the school
 
The best swords made in this period are from Yasukuni, and the school
 
produced some good smith. All of the "Yasukuni smiths" have their name
 
produced some good smith. All of the "Yasukuni smiths" have their name
 
beginning with the "Yasu" Kanji.
 
beginning with the "Yasu" Kanji.
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==Post-WWII==
 
A near-deadly blow came after the Japan's surrender, when the Americans  
 
A near-deadly blow came after the Japan's surrender, when the Americans  
 
forbade the manufacturing of swords. About 400.000 historically and  
 
forbade the manufacturing of swords. About 400.000 historically and