Changes

==HISTORY OF THE JAPANESE SWORD RELATED TO JAPANESE MAIN HISTORICAL PERIODS==

==History of the Japanese sword in relation to Japanese historical periods==

    

    

* '''Heian''' Era (794-1184)

===Heian Era (794-1184)===

   

   

When '''Kammu Tenno''' came to power, he moved the capital from '''Nara''' to '''Kyoto'''. The whole era was characterized by the prevalent tendency toward japanizing the Chinese influences that had came over the sea during the previous centuries. The method of forging a sword with an softer inner core wrapped into an harder steel one was developed during this period. The most ancient swords with this features belongs to the Ko-Bizen tradition and are dated around 950 a.D.  This is the time which is going to change to a Samurai government ( Genji and Heike ) from an aristocrat government. After the war happened in the middle stage of Heian Era, the battle style changed. That is, they began to fight on  horseback.

When '''Kammu Tenno''' came to power, he moved the capital from '''Nara''' to '''Kyoto'''. The whole era was characterized by the prevalent tendency toward japanizing the Chinese influences that had came over the sea during the previous centuries. The method of forging a sword with an softer inner core wrapped into an harder steel one was developed during this period. The most ancient swords with this features belongs to the Ko-Bizen tradition and are dated around 950 a.D.  This is the time which is going to change to a Samurai government ( Genji and Heike ) from an aristocrat government. After the war happened in the middle stage of Heian Era, the battle style changed. That is, they began to fight on  horseback.

*'''Kamakura''' Era (1184-1333)

===Kamakura Era (1184-1333)===

   

   

After defeating the Taira clan at Dan-No-Ura, Minamoto no Yorimoto  moved his shogunate to Kamakura. Emperor Gotoba, the formal ruler, remained in Kyoto. This also marked the beginning of the rule of the samurai class. Kamakura became the cultural capitol, and swordsmiths from all over the country gathered there. These are the days of '''Masamune''' and his  

After defeating the Taira clan at Dan-No-Ura, Minamoto no Yorimoto  moved his shogunate to Kamakura. Emperor Gotoba, the formal ruler, remained in Kyoto. This also marked the beginning of the rule of the samurai class. Kamakura became the cultural capitol, and swordsmiths from all over the country gathered there. These are the days of '''Masamune''' and his  

*'''Nambokucho''' Era (1334-1393)  

===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.

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 70 cm 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.   

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 70 cm 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.   

   

   

*'''Muromachi''' Era (1394-1595)  

===Muromachi Era (1394-1595)===

After the dynastic war a short period of peace followed. But the Ashikaga Shogun was  “de facto” powerless, and the true power was held by the Daimyo.  

After the dynastic war a short period of peace followed. But the Ashikaga Shogun was  “de facto” powerless, and the true power was held by the Daimyo.  

This very dangerous situation unavoidably left room for troubles. The battle for the true power began in 1467 with the so-called Onin-war  That started the Sengoku-jidai -  

This very dangerous situation unavoidably left room for troubles. The battle for the true power began in 1467 with the so-called Onin-war  That started the Sengoku-jidai -  

Into the late Muromachi we find the artistic revolution of the '''Momoyama'''  

Into the late Muromachi we find the artistic revolution of the '''Momoyama'''  

Era, when the Katana finally replaced the Tachi as main sword of the Samurai.  

Era, when the Katana finally replaced the Tachi as main sword of the Samurai.  

The difference between a Tachi and a Katana is, to make an incredibly difficult

The difference between a Tachi and a Katana is, to make an incredibly difficult thing the easiest possible, the position of the '''Mei''' (signature). The signature must be on the part of the blade that faces outside. So as Tachi is worn edge-down and Katana is worn edge-up, the signatures are placed in opposite positions.  

thing the easiest possible, the position of the '''Mei''' (signature). The signature

In absence of a signature the mounting is often the only difference between the two types of swords.  

must be on the part of the blade that faces outside. So as Tachi is worn

edge-down and Katana is worn edge-up, the signatures are placed in opposite

positions.  

In absence of a signature the mounting is often the only difference between

the two types of swords.  

Obviously this change was more a slow evolution rather then a  

Obviously this change was more a slow evolution rather then a  

sudden revolution. So we have a lot of blades that are "in between"

sudden revolution. So we have a lot of blades that are "in between"

that can't be easily put in a specific category.

that can't be easily put in a specific category.

The wearing of '''DaiSho''' (Daito/Shoto,long/short sword, meaning '''Katana''' and Wakizashi) begun

The wearing of '''DaiSho''' (Daito/Shoto,long/short sword, meaning '''Katana''' and Wakizashi) begun

in this period. Basically a backup blade was always carried by Samurai, but  

in this period. Basically a backup blade was always carried by Samurai, but the fashion of having a matched pair of mountings for main and backup sword started here.

the fashion of having a matched pair of mountings for main and backup sword

This is a very crucial change in the japanese sword history and, as already said, is the result of an evolution. To explain the (slow) switching from the

started here.

This is a very crucial change in the japanese sword history and, as already

said, is the result of an evolution. To explain the (slow) switching from the

ancient fashion to the new one we've to deal with the meaning of the term

ancient fashion to the new one we've to deal with the meaning of the term

'''Wakizashi'''. It's made by two words "Waki" (side, secondary) and "Zashi"  

'''Wakizashi'''. It's made by two words "Waki" (side, secondary) and "Zashi"  

In the sword context it means "to insert between the Obi", i.e. a sword  

In the sword context it means "to insert between the Obi", i.e. a sword  

to be worn inserted between the Obi. '''Tachi''' requires another verb, "Haku",  

to be worn inserted between the Obi. '''Tachi''' requires another verb, "Haku",  

to wear "hanging" from the waist. Backup swords were carried by Samurai from

to wear "hanging" from the waist. Backup swords were carried by Samurai from the very beginning of their history, and they were usually inserted  

the very beginning of their history, and they were usually inserted  

"between the Obi". So Wakizashi in ancient times referred to any sword that was secondary to the Tachi and worn inserted in the Obi with no reference to its lenght. In Koto times back-up blades spread from '''Yoroi-Doshi''' (armor

"between the Obi". So Wakizashi in ancient times referred to any sword that

was secondary to the Tachi and worn inserted in the Obi with no reference  

to its lenght. In Koto times back-up blades spread from '''Yoroi-Doshi''' (armor

piercing daggers), '''Chiisagatana''' (shorther then Katana) and '''Koshigatana''', all

piercing daggers), '''Chiisagatana''' (shorther then Katana) and '''Koshigatana''', all

always worn inserted in the Obi but the Koshigatana, that a few times was  

always worn inserted in the Obi but the Koshigatana, that a few times was  

worn hanging from Obi. The length, in these times, wasn't an issue to qualify

worn hanging from Obi. The length, in these times, wasn't an issue to qualify

a blade as "Wakizashi" and the term "Daisho" in the meaning of "Daito and Shoto"

a blade as "Wakizashi" and the term "Daisho" in the meaning of "Daito and Shoto" (pair of long and short swords) wasn't in use yet.

(pair of long and short swords) wasn't in use yet.

There is a document quoting that '''Oda Nobunaga''' wore (with the kanji used for the meaning "inserted between obi") a set of DaiSho. So is safe to say that was between Tenbun and Eiroku (1532 - 1569) that this fashion

There is a document quoting that '''Oda Nobunaga''' wore (with the kanji used for  

the meaning "inserted between obi") a set of DaiSho. So is safe to say that

was between Tenbun and Eiroku (1532 - 1569) that this fashion

was adopted by Samurai, most likely having already been adopted by lower  

was adopted by Samurai, most likely having already been adopted by lower  

ranks troops sometime earlier. During the '''Momoyama''' were fixed the first  

ranks troops sometime earlier. During the '''Momoyama''' were fixed the first  

(Takeuchi, Alexander)

(Takeuchi, Alexander)

* '''Edo''' Era

===Edo Era===

Here starts the '''Shinto''' time. Shinto means "new swords" and entered

Here starts the '''Shinto''' time. Shinto means "new swords" and entered

[[Image:Sugata history2.gif|600px|center]]

[[Image:Sugata history2.gif|600px|center]]

==References==  

==References==