Changes

period.

period.

* Keigen-Shinto period (1596 - 1623)

====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

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)   

====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  

'''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)

====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.  

* First Half of Shinshinto (1764 - 1829)

====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  

* Latter half of Shinshinto (1830 - 1868)

====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  

the time of modernization known as '''Meiji restoration'''.

the time of modernization known as '''Meiji restoration'''.

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

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

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  

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

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

Japanese sword, and most of the tatara were lost, as well as tradictions  

and schools.  

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.

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