Editing Japanese sword (section)

== Etymology ==
The word ''katana'' was used in ancient Japan and is still used today, whereas the old usage of the word ''nihontō'' is found in the poem<ref>The way to Kwan Yi is distant and not accessible anymore, the legend of its sword being able to cut jade is unbeatable. A treasured sword from the near country Japan (could be obtained easier), all you need to do is cross the sea to the east. The sheath is decorated by fish skin, the yellow and white parts are mixed by chalcopyrite and copper. A good help that could be bought by hundred gold, equipping it can dispel evil. Original script: 昆夷道遠不復通，世傳切玉誰能窮。寶刀近出日本國，越賈得之滄海東。魚皮裝貼香木鞘，黃白閒雜鍮與銅。百金傳入好事手，佩服可以禳妖凶。 see [http://zh.wikisource.org/wiki/%E6%97%A5%E6%9C%AC%E5%88%80%E6%AD%8C Chinese wikisource] for full script.</ref> the Song of ''Nihontō'', by the [[Song dynasty]] poet [[Ouyang Xiu]]. The word ''nihontō'' became more common in Japan in the [[late Tokugawa shogunate]]. Due to importation of Western swords, the word ''nihontō'' was adopted to distinguish it from the {{nihongo|Western sword|洋刀|yōtō}}.{{citation needed|date=November 2012}}

''Meibutsu'' (noted swords) is a special designation given to sword masterpieces which are listed in a compilation from the 18th century called the "Kyoho Meibutsucho". The swords listed are ''Koto'' blades from several different provinces; 100 of the 166 swords listed are known to exist today, with ''Sōshū'' blades being very well represented. The "Kyoho Meibutsucho" also listed the nicknames, prices, history and length of the ''Meibutsu'', with swords by Yoshimitsu, Masamune, Yoshihiro, and Sadamune being very highly priced.<ref>{{cite book |last=Nagayama |first=Kōkan |title=The connoisseur's book of Japanese swords |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zPyswmGDBFkC&q=meibutsu+or+famous+swords&pg=PA31 |year=1998 |publisher=Kodansha International |location=Tokyo |isbn= 9784770020710|page=31}}</ref>