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In this period, Tanto increased in number and there is characteristic shape. That is, Nakago is curved. This Tanto is called "Mete-zashi ". Samurai put on this Tanto when they wore armor and they put it on the right-side of their waist, handle facing right to be easy unsheathed when armor were in contact with each other, as in a grappling close combat is expected. This Mete-zashi is to stab enemy through a crevice of armors or cut off his neck, so Mihaba is narrow.
In this period, Tanto increased in number and there is characteristic shape. That is, Nakago is curved. This Tanto is called "Mete-zashi ". Samurai put on this Tanto when they wore armor and they put it on the right-side of their waist, handle facing right to be easy unsheathed when armor were in contact with each other, as in a grappling close combat is expected. This Mete-zashi is to stab enemy through a crevice of armors or cut off his neck, so Mihaba is narrow.
*Nambokucho Era (1334-1393)
Emperor Godaigo in 1334 started a rebellion to overthrew the shogunate in the attempt of restore the power of the imperial court and gained the control of the country. But after only two years Ashikaga Takauji raised his own Emperor (Komyo) to power. The power split in two courts : Godaigo held court in Yoshino and Komyo built his government in Kyoto. The north (Nan) and south (Hoku) courts fought for nearly 60 years giving the name to this period : ‘the Courts of the South and of the North’. Years of continuous war rised the needs for swords and changed the shape of the blades. The method of battle changed to a battle between group and group. The battle formation became that foot soldiers surround a leader riding on a horse. As the footsoldier raised in importance once again, a very long sword, more suitable for this new horseback fighting style was created. This long Tachi was for driving away enemy, so the length was from 85cm to over 1m was made. Some of these ‘’’Odachi’’’ or ‘’’Nodachi’’’ or ‘’’Odanbira’’’ arrived to a length of 120-150 cm. The longer ones were used by footsoldiers to cut horses legs and open gaps into enemy spearmen lines. Mihaba of these Tachi were wide, so the Kasane were thin to lighten the weight. A thin Kasane is the characteristic in this period. Therefore, when looking at Nanbokucho Tachi to understand it is of actual period, you need check Kasane. If Kasane of the blade is thick, doubts about authenticity arise.
As Mihaba is wide, the Kissaki become to be greater as a logical consequence. This is called O-Kissaki. This type of sword was too long to wear it , so usually the Samurai on horse give his Odachi to a follower for carrying and he grasp and draw it when needed. Therefore, if the follower is killed or driven away, the Tachi becomes to be useless. This is the reason because of a smaller Tachi (‘’’Kodachi’’’) was carried hanging from the obi of the armor. This need was another reason for the rise of the ‘’’Uchigatana’’’ that became to be made in this period. The length is about 70cm and it was used together with the longer Tachi. All blades followed the fashion to be gigantic as Tachi were. Tanto in this period have peculiar characteristic. The length is about 35cm and they were made by Hira-zukuri. Mihaba is wide and Kasane is thin. They curved at middle of the blade. They are called ‘’’Sunnobi Tanto’’’ and they remains Tanto even if legally, for their length they should be called Wakizashi. Naginata and Yari begun longer as well to fight against this longer Tachi. Fighting on a horse became to be disadvantageous. These too big blades all disappeared in a short period, soon after the end of the period. In effect the matter was formally resolved in a compromise, but Ashikaga and the north court were the factual winners. Someone suggests that some schools related to the Southern Court went extinct because of the defeat (the Hosho school founded by Sadamune son of Masamune). No strong evidences are given, anyway.
Hamon in this period is Notare or Hitatsura etc. The sword in this period have the most sharp blades ever. This is one reason because of in Edo period a lot of these long Tachi were shortened to fit size when put them on the waist, (and to fulfil the Shogun edicts about swords length).
