Editing Japanese sword (section)

== History ==
The production of swords in Japan is divided into specific time periods: ''jōkotō'' (ancient swords, until around 900 A.D.), ''kotō'' (old swords from around 900–1596), ''shintō'' (new swords 1596–1780), ''shinshintō'' (new new swords 1781–1876), ''gendaitō'' (modern or contemporary swords 1876–present)<ref name="nagoyatrans"/>

=== Jōkotō – Kotō (Old swords) ===
[[File:Chokuto Sword - Suiryu ken.jpg|thumb|''Chokutō'', believed to have been made in the Nara period of the 8th century, preserved in the [[Shōsōin]]. The blade collar was made by [[:ja:加納夏雄|Kano Natsuo]] in the 1800s, [[Important Cultural Property (Japan)|Important Cultural Property]], [[Tokyo National Museum]]]]
Early examples of iron swords were straight ''[[tsurugi (sword)|tsurugi]]'', ''[[chokutō]]'' and others with unusual shapes, some of the styles and techniques were derived from [[Dao (Chinese sword)|Chinese dao]], and some directly imported through trade.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=CGZPvLkmP3IC&pg=PA20 "The Craft of the Japanese Sword",Leon Kapp,1987,P.20]</ref><ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=rAFTe6JUEkQC&pg=PA16 "Katana:The Samurai Sword", Stephen Turnbull, 2010, P.16]</ref> The swords of this period were a mixture of swords of Japanese original style and those of Chinese style brought to Japan via the Korean Peninsula and East China Sea. The cross-sectional shape of the blades of these early swords was an isosceles triangular ''hira-zukuri'', and the ''kiriha-zukuri'' sword, which sharpened only the part close to the cutting edge side of a planar blade, gradually appeared.<ref>{{Cite web|last=myacyouen|title=和爾下神社の参道⑨東大寺山古墳（天理市・櫟本町）に関する記事です。|url=http://blog.livedoor.jp/myacyouen-hitorigoto/archives/47021579.html|access-date=2021-06-24|website=エナガ先生の講義メモ|language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=石上神宮のフツノミタマ4—製作地について|url=http://kakkou1210.stars.ne.jp/kodaishi/isonokami/futsu4.htm|access-date=2021-06-24|website=kakkou1210.stars.ne.jp}}</ref><ref name ="en20p31">Kazuhiko Inada (2020), ''Encyclopedia of the Japanese Swords''. pp31-32. {{ISBN|978-4651200408}}</ref> Swords of this period are classified as ''jōkotō'' and are often referred to in distinction from Japanese swords.<ref name="nagoyatrans"/>

[[File:蕨手刀, Warabiteto, 8th century.jpg|thumb|300px|''Warabitetō'', 8th century, [[Heian period]], [[Satsumon culture]], [[Tokyo National Museum]].]]
The direct predecessor of the ''[[tachi]]'' (太刀) has been called ''Warabitetō'' ([[:ja:蕨手刀]]) by the [[Emishi]] (Not to be confused with [[Ainu people|Ainu]]) of [[Tōhoku region|Tohoku]]. The Nihonto Meikan shows the earliest and by far the largest group of Ōshū smiths from the beginning of the 8th century were from the Mokusa school, listing over 100 Mokusa smiths before the beginning of the Kamakura period. Archaeological excavations of the [[Ōshū Domain|Ōshū]] Tohoku region show iron ore smelting sites dating back to the early Nara period. The Tohoku region and indeed the whole [[Ōshū, Iwate|Ōshū]] district in the 8th century was controlled and populated by the Emishi. Archaeological evidence of recovered ''Warabitetō'' (蕨手刀) show a high concentration in the burial goods of the Ōshū and Hokkaido regions. Mokusa Area was famous for legendary swordsmiths in the Heian period (AD 794–1185). They are considered as the original producers of the Japanese swords known as "''Warabitetō'' " which can date back to the sixth to eighth centuries. "''Warabitetō'' " gained its fame through the series of battles between Emishi people (蝦夷) and the Yamato-chotei government (大 和朝廷) in the late eighth century. Using "''Warabitetō''," the small number of Emishi soldiers could resist against the numerous Yamato-chotei army over a [[Thirty-Eight Years' War]] (三十八年戦争) (AD 770–811). The Meikan describes that from earlier time there was a list of forty-two famous swordsmiths in the Toukou Meikan 刀工銘鑑 at Kanchiin 観智院. Eight of the swordsmiths on this list were from Ōshū schools. Five from Mokusa being Onimaru 鬼丸, Yoyasu 世安, Morifusa 森房, Hatafusa 幡房 and Gaan 瓦安, two from the Tamatsukuri Fuju 諷誦,Houji 寶次 and one from Gassan signing just Gassan 月山. According to the Nihonto Meikan, the Ōshū swordsmith group consists of the Mokusa (舞草), the Gassan (月山) and the Tamatsukuri (玉造), later to become the Hoju (寶壽) schools. Ōshū swords appear in various old books of this time, for example Heiji Monogatari 平治物語 (Tale of Heiji), Konjaku Monogatari 今昔物語 (Anthology of tales from the past), Kojidan 古事談 (Japanese collection of Setsuwa 説話), and Gikeiki 義経記 (War tale that focuses on the legends of Minamoto no Yoshitsune 源義経 and his followers). Ōshū swordsmiths appeared in books in quite early times compared to others. Tales in these books tell of the Emishi-to in the capital city and these swords seem to have been quite popular with the Bushi. Maybe a badge of honour being captured weapons. For example, In "Nihongiryaku" 日本紀略 983AD :" the number of people wearing a funny looking Tachi 太刀 is increasing." In "Kauyagokau" 高野御幸 1124AD :" when emperor Shirakawa 白河法皇 visited Kouyasan 高 野山, Fujiwara Zaemon Michisue 藤原左衛門通季 was wearing a Fushū sword " In "Heihanki" 兵範記 1158AD there was a line that mentioned the Emperor himself had Fushū Tachi." It seems that during the late Heian the Emishi-to was gaining popularity in Kyoto.<ref name="Warabite">{{cite book |author=Shimomukai, Tatsuhiko |title=The Review of the Study of History : Shigaku Kenkyu |url=https://ir.lib.hiroshima-u.ac.jp/en/00029913 |date=30 June 2000 |publisher=広島史学研究会 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518104125/https://ir.lib.hiroshima-u.ac.jp/en/00029913 |archive-date=18 May 2021 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=John T. Kuehn |title=A Military History of Japan: From the Age of the Samurai to the 21st Century |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OMmUAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA34|date=15 January 2014 |publisher=Praeger |isbn=978-1-59228-720-8 |page=34}}</ref>

[[File:Kenuki-gata tachi at Ise Shrine.jpg|thumb|300px|''Kenukigata tachi'' at [[Ise Grand Shrine]], [[Heian period]]. [[Important Cultural Property (Japan)|Important Cultural Property]].]]
In the middle of the [[Heian period]] (794–1185), samurai improved on the Warabitetō to develop ''Kenukigata-tachi ([[:ja:毛抜形太刀]])'' -early Japanese sword-.<ref name ="enc202033">Kazuhiko Inada (2020), ''Encyclopedia of the Japanese Swords''. p33. {{ISBN|978-4651200408}}</ref><ref name="Warabite" /> To be more precise, it is thought that the ''Emishi'' improved the ''warabitetō'' and developed ''Kenukigata-warabitetō ([[:ja:毛抜形蕨手刀]])'' with a hole in the hilt and ''kenukigatatō ([[:ja:毛抜形刀]])'' without decorations on the tip of the hilt, and the samurai developed ''kenukigata-tachi'' based on these swords.<ref>Tatsuhiko Shimomukai (2007) ''武士の成長と院政 日本の歴史 07''. [[Kodansha]]. {{ISBN|978-4062919074}}</ref> ''Kenukigata-tachi'', which was developed in the first half of the 10th century, has a three-dimensional cross-sectional shape of an elongated pentagonal or hexagonal blade called ''shinogi-zukuri'' and a gently curved single-edged blade, which are typical features of Japanese swords. There is no wooden hilt attached to ''kenukigata-tachi'', and the [[Tang (tool)|tang]] (''nakago'') which is integrated with the blade is directly gripped and used. The term ''kenukigata'' is derived from the fact that the central part of tang is hollowed out in the shape of an ancient Japanese tweezers (''kenuki'').<ref name="en20p32">Kazuhiko Inada (2020), ''Encyclopedia of the Japanese Swords''. pp32-33. {{ISBN|978-4651200408}}</ref>

[[File:大包平, Okanehira.jpg|thumb|300px|''[[Tachi]]'', ''[[Ōkanehira (sword)|Okanehira]]'', by Kanehira. [[#Classification by school|''Ko-Bizen'' (old Bizen) school]]. 12th century, [[Heian period]], [[National Treasure (Japan)|National Treasure]], Tokyo National Museum. ''Okanehira'', together with ''[[Dōjigiri]]'', is considered one of the best Japanese swords in terms of art and is compared to the ''[[yokozuna]]'' (the highest rank of a [[sumo]] wrestler) of Japanese swords.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20180322105752/https://toyokeizai.net/articles/-/182612?page=3 ｢日本刀｣の文化的な価値を知っていますか] Toyo keizai, August 2, 2017</ref>]]
In the ''tachi'' developed after ''kenukigata-tachi'', a structure in which the hilt is fixed to the [[Tang (tool)|tang]] (''nakago'') with a pin called ''mekugi'' was adopted. As a result, a sword with three basic external elements of Japanese swords, the cross-sectional shape of ''shinogi-zukuri'', a gently curved single-edged blade, and the structure of ''nakago'', was completed.<ref name ="en20p32"/><ref name="rekishi2036">''歴史人'' September 2020. pp.36–37. {{ASIN|B08DGRWN98}}</ref> Its shape may reflect the changing form of warfare in Japan. Cavalry were now the predominant fighting unit and the older straight ''chokutō'' were particularly unsuitable for fighting from horseback. The curved sword is a far more efficient weapon when wielded by a warrior on horseback where the curve of the blade adds considerably to the downward force of a cutting action. Early models had uneven curves with the deepest part of the curve at the [[hilt]]. As eras changed the center of the curve tended to move up the blade.<ref name ="en20p46">Kazuhiko Inada (2020), ''Encyclopedia of the Japanese Swords''. p46. {{ISBN|978-4651200408}}</ref>

The ''tachi'' is a sword which is generally larger than a ''[[katana]]'', and is worn suspended with the cutting edge down. This was the standard form of carrying the sword for centuries, and would eventually be displaced by the ''katana'' style where the blade was worn thrust through the belt, edge up. The ''tachi'' was worn slung across the left hip. The signature on the [[Tang (tools)|tang]] of the blade was inscribed in such a way that it would always be on the outside of the sword when worn. This characteristic is important in recognizing the development, function, and different styles of wearing swords from this time onwards.<ref name ="en20p48">Kazuhiko Inada (2020), ''Encyclopedia of the Japanese Swords''. p48. {{ISBN|978-4651200408}}</ref>

When worn with full armour, the ''tachi'' would be accompanied by a shorter blade in the form known as ''koshigatana'' (腰刀, "waist sword"); a type of short sword with no handguard, and where the hilt and scabbard meet to form the style of mounting called an ''aikuchi'' ("meeting mouth"). Daggers (''tantō''), were also carried for close combat fighting as well as carried generally for personal protection.<ref name ="en20p38">Kazuhiko Inada (2020), ''Encyclopedia of the Japanese Swords''. p38. {{ISBN|978-4651200408}}</ref>

By the 11th century during the Heian period, Japanese swords had already been exported to neighboring countries in Asia. For example, in the poem "The Song of Japanese Swords" [[Ouyang Xiu]], a statesman of the [[Song dynasty]] in China, described Japanese swords as "It is a treasured sword with a scabbard made of fragrant wood covered with fish skin, decorated with brass and copper, and capable of exorcising evil spirits. It is imported at a great cost.".<ref name="takeot"/><ref name="mainichi1">{{cite web |title=日本の技術の精巧さは... |publisher= [[Mainichi Shimbun]] |date= March 27, 2016 |url=https://mainichi.jp/articles/20160327/ddm/001/070/120000c |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160828134453/https://mainichi.jp/articles/20160327/ddm/001/070/120000c |archive-date=August 28, 2016}}</ref>

From the Heian period (794–1185), ordinary samurai wore swords of the style called ''kurourusi tachi (kokushitsu no tachi, 黒漆太刀)'', which meant black lacquer ''tachi''. The hilt of a ''tachi'' is wrapped in leather or ray skin, and it is wrapped with black thread or leather cord, and the scabbard is coated with black lacquer. On the other hand, court nobles wore ''tachi'' decorated with precisely carved metal and jewels for ceremonial purposes. High-ranking court nobles wore swords of the style called ''kazari tachi'' or ''kaza tachi'' (飾太刀, 飾剣), which meant decorative ''tachi'', and lower-ranking court nobles wore simplified ''kazatachi'' swords of the style called ''hosodachi'' (細太刀), which meant thin ''tachi''. The ''kazatachi'' and ''hosodachi'' worn by nobles were initially straight like a ''chokutō'', but since the Kamakura period they have had a gentle curve under the influence of ''tachi''. Since ''tachi'' worn by court nobles were for ceremonial use, they generally had an iron plate instead of a blade.<ref name ="en20p36">Kazuhiko Inada (2020), ''Encyclopedia of the Japanese Swords''. pp.36–44. {{ISBN|978-4651200408}}</ref><ref name="rekishi200937">''歴史人'' September 2020. pp.37–41 {{ASIN|B08DGRWN98}}</ref>

In the [[Kamakura period]] (1185–1333), high-ranking samurai wore ''hyogo gusari tachi (hyogo kusari no tachi, 兵庫鎖太刀)'', which meant a sword with chains in the arsenal. The scabbard of the ''tachi'' was covered with a gilt copper plate and hung by chains at the waist. At the end of the Kamakura period, simplified ''hyogo gusari tachi'' came to be made as an offering to the ''[[kami]]'' of [[Shinto shrines]] and fell out of use as weapons. On the other hand, in the Kamakura period, there was a type of ''tachi'' called ''hirumaki tachi'' (蛭巻太刀) with a scabbard covered with metal, which was used as a weapon until the Muromachi period. The meaning was a sword wrapped around a leech, and its feature was that a thin metal plate was spirally wrapped around the scabbard, so it was both sturdy and decorative, and chains were not used to hang the scabbard around the waist.<ref name ="en20p36"/><ref name="rekishi200937"/>
<gallery class="center" widths="280px" heights="200px" perrow="4">
File:Kazari-tachi Style Sword Mounting, Heian period.jpg|''Kazari tachi''. 12th century, [[Heian period]]. [[National Treasure (Japan)|National Treasure]]. Tokyo National Museum.
File:Tachi koshirae 1.jpg|''Kurourusi tachi'', ''Shishio''. 13th century, [[Kamakura period]]. Important Cultural Property. Tokyo National Museum.
File:Tachi - "Hyougokusan"style sword mounting.jpg|''Hyogo gusari tachi''. 13th century, Kamakura period. Important Cultural Property. Tokyo National Museum.
File:黒漆銀銅蛭巻太刀, Hirumaki tachi koshirae.jpg|''Hirumaki tachi''. 14th century, [[Nanboku-chō period]]. Important Cultural Property. Tokyo National Museum.
</gallery>

[[File:Katana, Sōshū Masamune (Ishida Masamune).jpg|thumb|300px|A ''katana'' modified from a ''tachi'' forged by [[Masamune]]. Sōshū school. [[Important Cultural Property (Japan)|Important Cultural Property]]. As it was owned by [[Ishida Mitsunari]], it was commonly called Ishida Masamune.]]
The [[Mongol invasions of Japan]] in the 13th century during the Kamakura period spurred further evolution of the Japanese sword. The swordsmiths of the [[#Classification by school|Sōshū school]] represented by [[Masamune]] studied ''tachi'' that were broken or bent in battle, developed new production methods, and created innovative Japanese swords. They forged the blade using a combination of soft and hard steel to optimize the temperature and timing of the heating and cooling of the blade, resulting in a lighter but more robust blade. They also made the curve of the blade gentle, lengthened the tip linearly, widened the width from the cutting edge to the opposite side of the blade, and thinned the cross section to improve the penetration and cutting ability of the blade.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20210202160804/http://ihcsacafe.ihcsa.or.jp/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/masamune_j.pdf なぜ「正宗」は名刀なのか.] Masamune Sword and Blade Workshop</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20191013040019/https://www.touken-world.jp/tips/9768/ 五箇伝（五ヵ伝、五ヶ伝）] Touken world</ref><ref>{{cite book | title = The Connoisseur's Book of Japanese Swords | isbn = 4-7700-2071-6 | page = 21 | first = Kokan | last = Nagayama | publisher = Kodansha International | year = 1997 }}</ref>

Historically in Japan, the ideal blade of a Japanese sword has been considered to be the {{Nihongo|''kotō''|古刀}} (lit., "old swords") in the Kamakura period, and the swordsmiths from the [[Edo period]] (1603–1868) to the present day from the {{Nihongo|''shinō''|新刀}} (lit., "new swords") period focused on reproducing the blade of the Japanese sword made in Kamakura period. There are more than 100 Japanese swords designated as [[National Treasure (Japan)|National Treasures in Japan]], of which the ''Kotō'' of the Kamakura period account for 80% and the ''tachi'' account for 70%.<ref name="toukenkaku"/><ref name="sankei170702"/>
{{Clear}}
<gallery class="center" caption="National treasure ''tachi'' from the Kamakura period (Tokyo National Museum)" mode="packed" heights="160px" perrow="3">
File:Tachi, Fukuoka Ichimonji "Okadagiri" Yoshifusa.jpg|''Okadagiri Yoshifusa'', by Yoshifusa. [[#Classification by school|Bizen ''Fukuoka-Ichimonji'' school]]. The name comes from the fact that [[Oda Nobuo]] killed his vassal Okada with this sword.
File:Tachi Sword - Sukezane(Nikko) 01.jpg|''Nikkō Sukezane'', by Sukezane. ''Fukuoka-Ichimonji'' school. This sword was owned by [[Tokugawa Ieyasu]].
File:Tachi Sword - Sukezane.jpg|By Sukezane. Bizen ''Fukuoka-Ichimonji'' school. This sword was owned by [[Kishū Tokugawa family]].
File:Tachi Sword - Kagemitsu.jpg|''Koryū Kagemitsu'', by Kagemitsu. Bizen ''Osafune'' school. This sword was owned by [[Kusunoki Masashige]]. 
</gallery>

From the end of the Kamakura period to the end of the [[Muromachi period]] (1333–1573), ''kawatsutsumi tachi'' (革包太刀), which means a ''tachi'' wrapped in leather, was popular. The ''kawatsutsumi tachi'' was stronger than the ''kurourushi tachi'' because its hilt was wrapped in leather or ray skin, lacquer was painted on top of it, leather straps and cords were wrapped around it, and the scabbard and sometimes the ''tsuba'' (hand guard) were also wrapped in leather.<ref name ="en20p36"/>

[[File:Hiyoshimaru meets Koroku on Yahagibashi, showing nodachi or odachi.jpg|thumb|300px|Edo period ''[[ukiyo-e]]'' shows an ''[[ōdachi]]'' worn on the back of a samurai.]]
In the [[Nanboku-chō period]] (1336–1392) which corresponds to the early [[Muromachi period]] (1336–1573), huge Japanese swords such as ''[[ōdachi]]'' became popular. The reason for this is thought to be that the conditions for making a practical large-sized sword were established due to the nationwide spread of strong and sharp swords of the Sōshū school. In the case of ''ōdachi'' whose blade was 150&nbsp;cm long, it was impossible to draw a sword from the scabbard on the waist, so people carried it on their back or had their servants carry it. Large ''[[naginata]]'' and ''[[kanabō]]'' were also popular in this period.<ref>[https://megalodon.jp/2020-0718-1607-44/https://www.touken-world.jp:443/tips/10064/ 日本刀の歴史 南北朝時代] Touken world</ref>

[[File:Katana - Motoshige.JPG|thumb|300px|A ''katana'' modified from a ''tachi'' forged by Motoshige. [[Japanese sword#Classification by school|Bizen ''Osafune'' school]] influenced by the Sōshū school. 14th century, [[Nanboku-chō period]]. Important Cultural Property. Tokyo National Museum.]]
''Katana'' originates from ''sasuga'', a kind of ''[[tantō]]'' used by lower-ranking samurai who fought on foot in the Kamakura period. Their main weapon was a long ''naginata'' and ''sasuga'' was a spare weapon. In the Nanboku-chō period, long weapons such as ''ōdachi'' were popular, and along with this, ''sasuga'' lengthened and finally became ''katana''.<ref name="rekishi200940"/><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20201117093425/https://www.touken-world.jp/word/word/page/4/ List of terms related to Japanese swords "Sasuga".] Nagoya Japanese Sword Museum Touken World.</ref> Also, there is a theory that ''koshigatana'' (腰刀), a kind of ''tantō'' which was equipped by high ranking samurai together with ''tachi'', developed to ''katana'' through the same historical background as ''sasuga'', and it is possible that both developed to ''katana''.<ref name="toukenmi">[https://web.archive.org/web/20201225132733/https://www.touken-world.jp/tips/56703/ Differences in Japanese swords according to status.] Nagoya Japanese Sword Museum Touken World.</ref> The oldest ''katana'' in existence today is called ''Hishizukuri uchigatana'', which was forged in the Nanbokuchō period, and was dedicated to [[Kasuga Shrine]] later.<ref name ="en20p43">Kazuhiko Inada (2020), ''Encyclopedia of the Japanese Swords''. p43. {{ISBN|978-4651200408}}</ref>

By the 15th century, Japanese swords had already gained international fame by being exported to China and Korea.<ref name="tanaka1982">Takeo Tanaka (1982) ''対外関係と文化交流''. p.348. Shibunkaku. {{ASIN|B000J7JC30}}</ref> For example, Korea learned how to make Japanese swords by sending swordsmiths to Japan and inviting Japanese swordsmiths to Korea. According to the record of June 1, 1430, in the ''[[Veritable Records of the Joseon Dynasty]]'', a Korean swordsmith who went to Japan and mastered the method of making Japanese swords presented a Japanese sword to the King of Korea and was rewarded for the excellent work which was no different from the swords made by the Japanese.<ref name="tanaka1982"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/physicalarts/26/1/26_67/_pdf/-char/ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209071754/https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/physicalarts/26/1/26_67/_pdf/-char/ja|title=Analyzing the words of Wae-geom and Wae-geom-sa in Classical Korean literatures|page=72|author=Junko Oishi|archive-date=9 December 2022|access-date=9 December 2022}}</ref>

Traditionally, [[Yumi|''yumi'' (bows)]] were the main weapon of war in Japan, and ''tachi'' and ''naginata'' were used only for close combat. The [[Ōnin War]] in the late 15th century in the Muromachi period expanded into a large-scale domestic war, in which employed farmers called ''[[ashigaru]]'' were mobilized in large numbers. They fought on foot using ''[[katana]]'' shorter than ''tachi''. In the [[Sengoku period]] (1467–1615, period of warring states) in the late Muromachi period, the war became bigger and ''ashigaru'' fought in a close formation using [[Yari|''yari'' (spears)]] lent to them. Furthermore, in the late 16th century, [[Tanegashima (gun)|''tanegashima'' (muskets)]] were introduced from Portugal, and Japanese swordsmiths mass-produced improved products, with ''ashigaru'' fighting with leased guns. On the battlefield in Japan, guns and spears became main weapons in addition to bows. Due to the changes in fighting styles in these wars, the ''tachi'' and ''naginata'' became obsolete among samurai, and the ''katana'', which was easy to carry, became the mainstream. The dazzling looking ''tachi'' gradually became a symbol of the authority of high-ranking samurai.<ref name="rekishi200940"/><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20201012014207/https://www.touken-world.jp/tips/10065/ History of Japanese swords "Muromachi period – Azuchi-Momoyama period".] Nagoya Japanese Sword Museum Touken World</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20201226054428/https://www.touken-world.jp/tips/45927/ Arms for battle – spears, swords, bows.] Nagoya Japanese Sword Museum Touken World</ref>

On the other hand, [[Kenjutsu|''kenjutsu'' (swordsmanship)]] that makes use of the characteristics of ''katana'' was invented. The quicker draw of the sword was well suited to combat where victory depended heavily on short response times. (The practice and martial art for drawing the sword quickly and responding to a sudden attack was called '[[Battōjutsu]]', which is still kept alive through the teaching of [[Iaido]].) The ''katana'' further facilitated this by being worn thrust through a belt-like sash (''[[Obi (sash)|obi]]'') with the sharpened edge facing up. Ideally, samurai could draw the sword and strike the enemy in a single motion. Previously, the curved ''tachi'' had been worn with the edge of the blade facing down and suspended from a belt.<ref name="Sato">{{cite book | author = Kanzan Sato| title = The Japanese Sword: A Comprehensive Guide (Japanese arts Library)| publisher = Kodansha International| year = 1983| location = Japan| page = 220| isbn =978-0-87011-562-2 }}</ref><ref name="Kapp 1987">{{cite book |author1=Leon Kapp |author2=Hiroko Kapp |author3=Yoshindo Yoshihara | title = The Craft of the Japanese Sword| publisher = Kodansha International| year = 1987| location = Japan| page = 167| isbn = 978-0-87011-798-5 }}</ref>

From the 15th century, low-quality swords were mass-produced under the influence of the large-scale war. These swords, along with spears, were lent to recruited farmers called ''ashigaru'' and swords ware exported. Such mass-produced swords are called ''kazuuchimono'', and swordsmiths of the [[#Classification by school|Bisen school]] and [[#Classification by school|Mino school]] produced them by division of labor.<ref name="rekishi200940">''歴史人'' September 2020. p40. {{ASIN|B08DGRWN98}}</ref><ref name="rekishi200970"/> The export of Japanese sword reached its height during the [[Muromachi period]] when at least 200,000 swords were shipped to [[Ming dynasty]] China in official trade in an attempt to soak up the production of Japanese weapons and make it harder for [[wokou|pirates]] in the area to arm. In the Ming dynasty of China, Japanese swords and their tactics were studied to repel pirates, and ''[[wodao]]'' and ''[[miaodao]]'' were developed based on Japanese swords.<ref name="takeot">Takeo Tanaka. (2012) ''Wokou'' p. 104. [[Kodansha]]. {{ISBN|978-4062920933}}</ref><ref>Koichi Shinoda. (1 May 1992). ''Chinese Weapons and Armor''. Shinkigensha. {{ISBN|9784883172115}}</ref><ref>Rekishi Gunzo. (2 July 2011) ''Complete Works on Strategic and Tactical Weapons. From Ancient China to Modern China''. Gakken. {{ISBN|9784056063448}}</ref>

From this period, the [[tang (tool)|tang]] ({{transliteration|ja|nakago}}) of many old {{transliteration|ja|tachi}} were cut and shortened into {{transliteration|ja|katana}}. This kind of remake is called {{transliteration|ja|suriage}} (磨上げ).<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20201101012335/https://www.touken-world.jp/tips/9758/ 日本刀鑑賞のポイント「日本刀の姿」] Nagoya Touken Museum Touken World</ref> For example, many of the ''tachi'' that Masamune forged during the Kamakura period were converted into ''katana'', so his only existing works are ''katana'' and ''tantō''.<ref name="toukenmasa">[https://web.archive.org/web/20201101053621/https://www.touken-world.jp/tips/7966/ 相州伝の名工「正宗」.] Nagoya Japanese Sword Museum Touken World.</ref> During this period, a great flood occurred in Bizen, which was the largest production area of Japanese swords, and the Bizen school rapidly declined, after which the Mino school flourished.<ref name="rekishi200970"/>

From around the 16th century, many Japanese swords were exported to [[Thailand]], where katana-style swords were made and prized for battle and art work, and some of them are in the collections of the Thai royal family.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://kaken.nii.ac.jp/file/KAKENHI-PROJECT-24401020/24401020seika.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211025214241/https://kaken.nii.ac.jp/file/KAKENHI-PROJECT-24401020/24401020seika.pdf|title=Reception and transformation of foreign cultures in Thailand; focusing on the foreign trade items of the 13 th to 18th centuries.|language=ja|author=Ayumi Harada|publisher=[[Japan Society for the Promotion of Science]]|date=24 October 2016|archive-date=25 October 2021|access-date=11 December 2022}}</ref>

[[File:金梨子地家紋散糸巻太刀拵 Tachi koshirae 2.jpg|thumb|300px|Mounting for a sword of the ''itomaki no tachi'' type with design of ''[[Mon (emblem)|mon]]'' (family crests). 1600s. [[Museum of Fine Arts, Boston]].]]
In the Sengoku period (1467–1615) or the [[Azuchi–Momoyama period]] (1568–1600), the ''itomaki tachi'' (''itomaki no tachi'', 糸巻太刀), which means a ''tachi'' wound with thread, appeared and became the mainstream of ''tachi'' after that. ''itomaki tachi'' was decorated with gorgeous lacquer decorations with lots of ''[[maki-e]]'' and flashy colored threads, and was used as a gift, a ceremony, or an offering to the ''kami'' of Shinto shrines.<ref name ="en20p36"/>

[[File:青漆銀流水文半太刀大小, "Daisho" Style "Handachi" Sword Mounting, Silver stream design on green lacquer ground.jpg|thumb|left|300px|''[[Daishō]]'' style {{transliteration|ja|handachi}} sword mounting. 16th－17th century, [[Azuchi–Momoyama period|Azuchi–Momoyama]] or [[Edo period]]. [[Tokyo National Museum]].]]
In later Japanese feudal history, during the Sengoku and [[Edo period]]s, certain high-ranking warriors of what became the ruling class would wear their sword ''tachi''-style (edge-downward), rather than with the scabbard thrust through the belt with the edge upward.<ref name="Kapp">{{cite book | last = Kapp| first = Leon|author2=Hiroko Kapp |author3=Yoshindo Yoshihara | title = The Craft of the Japanese Sword| publisher = Kodansha International| year = 1987| location = Japan| pages = 168| isbn =978-0-87011-798-5 }}</ref> This style of swords is called ''handachi'', "half ''tachi''". In ''handachi'', both styles were often mixed, for example, fastening to the [[Obi (sash)|''obi'']] was ''katana'' style, but metalworking of the scabbard was ''tachi'' style.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20130702060400/https://www.weblio.jp/content/%E5%8D%8A%E5%A4%AA%E5%88%80%E6%8B%B5 weblio. ''Handachi-Goshirae''.]</ref>

In the Muromachi period, especially the Sengoku period, anybody such as farmers, townspeople and monks could equip a sword. However, in 1588 during the Azuchi–Momoyama period, [[Toyotomi Hideyoshi]] conducted a [[sword hunt]] and banned farmers from owning them with weapons.<ref name="toukenmi"/>

However, Toyotomi's sword hunt couldn't disarm peasants. Farmers and townspeople could wear [[daisho]] until 1683. And most of them kept wearing [[wakizashi]] on a daily basis until the middle of the 18th century. After then they wore it special times (travel, wedding, funeral) until [[meiji restoration]].{{sfn|Hujiki|2005|p=51}}
{{Clear}}

=== Shintō – Shinshintō (New swords) ===
[[File:Tachi koshirae (Tachi mountings), Edo period. 太刀拵, 江戸時代 2.jpg|thumb|300px|''[[Tachi]]'' mountings decorated with gorgeous ''[[maki-e]]'' lacquer and metal carvings. ''Itomaki-no-tachi'' style sword mountings. (top and bottom) [[Edo period]]. [[Tokyo National Museum]].]]
Swords forged after 1596 in the [[Keichō]] period of the [[Azuchi-Momoyama period]] are classified as ''shintō'' (New swords). Japanese swords since ''shintō'' are different from ''kotō'' in forging method and steel (''[[tamahagane]]''). This is thought to be because Bizen school, which was the largest swordsmith group of Japanese swords, was destroyed by a great flood in 1590 and the mainstream shifted to Mino school, and because Toyotomi Hideyoshi virtually unified Japan, uniform steel began to be distributed throughout Japan. The ''kotō'' swords, especially the Bizen school swords made in the Kamakura period, had a ''midare-utsuri'' like a white mist between ''hamon'' and ''shinogi'', but the swords since ''shinto'' have almost disappeared. In addition, the whole body of the blade became whitish and hard. Almost no one was able to reproduce ''midare-utsurii'' until Kunihira Kawachi reproduced it in 2014.<ref name="toukenshin">[https://web.archive.org/web/20200920105506/https://www.touken-world.jp/tips/17626/ History of Japanese sword.] Nagoya Japanese Sword Museum Touken World</ref><ref name="toukenutsu">[https://web.archive.org/web/20201123171341/https://www.touken-world.jp/tips/55409/ 日本刀鑑賞のポイント「日本刀の映りとは」.] Nagoya Japanese Sword Museum Touken World</ref>

Japanese swords since the ''sintō'' period often have gorgeous decorations carved on the blade and lacquered ''[[maki-e]]'' decorations on the scabbard. This was due to the economic development and the increased value of swords as arts and crafts as the [[Sengoku period]] ended and the peaceful [[Edo period]] began.<ref name = "murata120">Masayuki Murata. ''明治工芸入門'' p.120. Me no Me, 2017 {{ISBN|978-4907211110}}</ref> The Umetada school led by Umetada Myoju who was considered to be the founder of ''shinto'' led the improvement of the artistry of Japanese swords in this period. They were both swordsmiths and metalsmiths, and were famous for carving the blade, making metal accouterments such as ''tsuba'' (handguard), remodeling from ''tachi'' to ''katana'' (''suriage''), and inscriptions inlaid with gold.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20201117224533/https://www.museum.or.jp/event/95204 特別展「埋忠〈UMETADA〉桃山刀剣界の雄」.] Internet Museum</ref>

[[File:Daisho Uesugi clan 2.jpg|thumb|left|300px|''[[Daishō]]'' for formal attire with black scabbard, hilt winding thread and white ray skin hilt, which were regulated by the Tokugawa Shogunate. ''Daishō'' owned by [[Uesugi clan]]. Late Edo period.]]
During this period, the [[Tokugawa shogunate]] required samurai to wear ''Katana'' and shorter swords in pairs. These short swords were ''[[wakizashi]]'' and ''[[tantō]]'', and ''wakizashi'' were mainly selected. This set of two is called a ''[[daishō]]''. Only ''samurai'' could wear the ''daishō'': it represented their social power and personal [[honour]].<ref name="books.google.com"/><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZzIXkFec0e8C&q=wakizashi&pg=PA18 |title=Classical weaponry of Japan: special weapons and tactics of the martial arts |first=Serge |last=Mol |pages=18–24 |publisher=Kodansha International |year=2003 |isbn=4-7700-2941-1}}</ref><ref name="Kapp 1987"/><ref name="WBAR"/> Samurai could wear decorative sword mountings in their daily lives, but the Tokugawa shogunate regulated the formal sword that samurai wore when visiting a castle by regulating it as a ''daisho'' made of a black scabbard, a hilt wrapped with white ray skin and black string.<ref name="en20p46"/>

Townspeople (''[[Chōnin]]'') and farmers were allowed to equip a short wakizashi, and the public were often equipped with ''wakizashi'' on their travels.<ref>''Taiho-jutsu: law and order in the age of the samurai'', Don Cunningham, Tuttle Publishing, 2004 P,23</ref><ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=zPyswmGDBFkC&pg=PA48 ''The connoisseur's book of Japanese swords'', Kōkan Nagayama, Kodansha International, 1998 P.48]</ref> Under the Tokugawa shogunate, swordmaking and the use of firearms declined.<ref>Perrin, Noel. Giving Up the Gun: Japan's Reversion to the Sword, 1543–1879. Boston: David R. Godine, 1979.</ref> Japanese swords made in this period is classified as ''shintō''.<ref name="rekishi200942">''歴史人'' September 2020. pp.42–43. {{ASIN|B08DGRWN98}}</ref>

[[File:Tantō Minamoto Kiyomaro.jpg|thumb|300px|A ''[[tantō]]'' forged by Minamoto Kiyomaro. Late Edo period. (left) ''Tantō'' mounting, Late Edo period. (right)]]
In the late 18th century, swordsmith Suishinshi Masahide criticized that the present ''katana'' blades only emphasized decoration and had a problem with their toughness. He insisted that the bold and strong kotō blade from the Kamakura period to the [[Nanboku-chō period]] was the ideal Japanese sword, and started a movement to restore the production method and apply it to ''katana''. ''Katana'' made after this is classified as a {{Nihongo|''shinshintō''|新々刀}}, "new revival swords" or literally "new-new swords".<ref name="rekishi200942"/> One of the most popular swordsmiths in Japan today is Minamoto Kiyomaro who was active in this ''shinshintō'' period. His popularity is due to his timeless exceptional skill, as he was nicknamed "Masamune in [[Yotsuya]]" and his disastrous life. His works were traded at high prices and exhibitions were held at museums all over Japan from 2013 to 2014.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hCdWc6WWNQ 幕末に活躍した日本刀の名工「清麿」展=ダイナミックな切っ先、躍動感あふれる刃文.] Jiji Press</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20201216121316/https://www.museum.or.jp/report/430 清麿展 －幕末の志士を魅了した名工－] Internet Museum</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20200920064507/https://kougetsudo.info/minamotonokiyomaro/ 源清麿 四谷正宗の異名を持つ新々刀随一の名工.] Kōgetudō.</ref>

The arrival of [[Matthew Perry (naval officer)|Matthew Perry]] in 1853 and the subsequent [[Convention of Kanagawa]] caused chaos in Japanese society. Conflicts began to occur frequently between the forces of ''[[sonnō jōi]]'' (尊王攘夷派), who wanted to overthrow the Tokugawa Shogunate and rule by the emperor, and the forces of ''sabaku'' (佐幕派), who wanted the Tokugawa Shogunate to continue. These political activists, called the ''[[Shishi (organization)|shishi]]'' (志士), fought using a practical ''katana'', called the ''kinnōtō'' (勤皇刀) or the ''[[bakumatsu]]tō'' (幕末刀). Their ''katana'' were often longer than {{convert|90|cm|in|abbr=on}} in blade length, less curved, and had a big and sharp point, which was advantageous for stabbing in indoor battles.<ref name="rekishi200942"/>
{{Clear}}

=== Gendaitō (Modern or contemporary swords) ===
[[File:Blade and Mounting for a Sword (Katana) 4.jpg|thumb|300px|''Katana'' mountings decorated with ''[[maki-e]]'' lacquer in the 1800s. Although the number of forged swords decreased in the [[Meiji period]], many artistically excellent mountings were made.]]
In 1867, the Tokugawa Shogunate declared the return of Japan's sovereignty to the emperor, and from 1868, the government by the emperor and rapid modernization of Japan began, which was called the [[Meiji Restoration]]. The [[Haitōrei Edict]] in 1876 all but banned carrying swords and guns on streets. Overnight, the market for swords died, many swordsmiths were left without a trade to pursue, and valuable skills were lost. Swords forged after the Haitōrei Edict are classified as ''gendaitō''. The craft of making swords was kept alive through the efforts of some individuals, notably Miyamoto kanenori (宮本包則, 1830–1926) and Gassan Sadakazu (月山貞一, 1836–1918), who were appointed [[Imperial Household Artist]]. These smiths produced fine works that stand with the best of the older blades for the emperor and other high-ranking officials. The businessman Mitsumura Toshimo (光村利藻, 1877–1955) tried to preserve their skills by ordering swords and sword mountings from the swordsmiths and craftsmen. He was especially enthusiastic about collecting sword mountings, and he collected about 3,000 precious sword mountings from the end of the Edo period to the Meiji period. About 1200 items from a part of the collection are now in the [[Nezu Museum]].<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20201230083406/http://www.nezu-muse.or.jp/jp/exhibition/past2017_n07.html Pinnacle of Elegance －Sword fittings of the Mitsumura Collection－.] Nezu Museum</ref><ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4eudqKmvHA The World of Edo Dandyism From Swords to Inro.] Internet Museum</ref><ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXnOzXAdFzU Pinnacle of Elegance －Sword fittings of the Mitsumura Collection－.] Internet Museum</ref>

The Japanese sword remained in use in some occupations such as the police force. At the same time, [[kendo]] was incorporated into police training so that police officers would have at least the training necessary to properly use one. In time, it was rediscovered that soldiers needed to be armed with swords, and over the decades at the beginning of the 20th century swordsmiths again found work. These swords, called ''[[guntō]],'' were often oil-tempered, or simply stamped out of steel and given a serial number rather than a chiseled signature. The mass-produced ones often look like Western cavalry sabers rather than Japanese swords, with blades slightly shorter than blades of the ''shintō'' and ''shinshintō'' periods. In 1934 the Japanese government issued a military specification for the ''[[shin gunto|shin guntō]]'' (new army sword), the first version of which was the Type 94 ''Katana'', and many machine- and hand-crafted swords used in [[World War II]] conformed to this and later ''shin guntō'' specifications.
<gallery class="center" caption="Military Swords of Imperial Japan (Guntō)" heights="180px">
File:Japanese army sabre.jpg|[[Kyu gunto|kyu guntō]] army sabre
File:Gunto type 98.jpg|"Type 98" officer's sword
File:Sabre-seconde-guerre-mondiale-p1000712.jpg|"Type 95" Non Commissioned Officer's sword of World War II; made to resemble a Commissioned Officer's ''shin guntō''.
File:Kai gunto.JPG|World War II Japanese naval officers sword ''kai gunto''.
</gallery>

Under the United States occupation at the end of [[World War II]] all armed forces in [[occupied Japan]] were disbanded and production of Japanese swords with edges was banned except under police or government permit. The ban was overturned through a personal appeal by Dr. Junji Honma. During a meeting with [[General Douglas MacArthur]], Honma produced blades from the various periods of Japanese history and MacArthur was able to identify very quickly what blades held artistic merit and which could be considered purely weapons. As a result of this meeting, the ban was amended so that ''guntō'' weapons would be destroyed while swords of artistic merit could be owned and preserved. Even so, many Japanese swords were sold to American soldiers at a bargain price; in 1958 there were more Japanese swords in America than in Japan. The vast majority of these one million or more swords were ''guntō'', but there were still a sizable number of older swords.

After the Edo period, swordsmiths turned increasingly to the production of civilian goods. The Occupation and its regulations almost put an end to the production of Japanese swords. A few smiths continued their trade, and Honma went on to be a founder of the {{Nihongo|Society for the Preservation of the Japanese Sword|日本美術刀剣保存協会|Nippon Bijutsu Tōken Hozon Kyōkai}}, who made it their mission to preserve the old techniques and blades. Thanks to the efforts of other like-minded individuals, the Japanese swords did not disappear, many swordsmiths continued the work begun by Masahide, and the old swordmaking techniques were rediscovered.

Nowadays, ''[[iaitō]]'' is used for ''[[iaidō]]''. Due to their popularity in modern media, display-only Japanese swords have become widespread in the sword marketplace. Ranging from small [[letter opener]]s to scale replica [[sword-like object|"wallhangers"]], these items are commonly made from [[stainless steel]] (which makes them either brittle (if made from cutlery-grade 400-series stainless steel) or poor at holding an edge (if made from 300-series stainless steel)) and have either a blunt or very crude edge. There are accounts of good quality stainless steel Japanese swords, however, these are rare at best.<ref>[http://www.swordforum.com/metallurgy/stainlesssuitable.html Sword Forum Magazine – Metallurgy – Is Stainless Steel Suitable for Swords?] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070806143312/http://swordforum.com/metallurgy/stainlesssuitable.html |date=2007-08-06 }}</ref> Some replica Japanese swords have been used in modern-day armed robberies.<ref>{{cite web | title = Sword Robbers Strike Third Shop | publisher = IC Coventry | url = http://iccoventry.icnetwork.co.uk/printable_version.cfm?objectid=16532854&siteid=50003 }}</ref> As a part of marketing, modern ahistoric blade styles and material properties are often stated as traditional and genuine, promulgating disinformation. Some companies and independent smiths outside Japan produce ''katana'' as well, with varying levels of quality. According to the Parliamentary Association for the Preservation and Promotion of Japanese Swords, organized by [[National Diet|Japanese Diet]] members, many Japanese swords distributed around the world as of the 21st century are fake Japanese-style swords made in China. The ''[[Sankei Shimbun]]'' analyzed that this is because the Japanese government allowed swordsmiths to make only 24 Japanese swords per person per year to maintain the quality of Japanese swords.<ref name="sankei1806221">[https://web.archive.org/web/20190603094148/https://www.sankei.com/politics/news/180622/plt1806220018-n1.html Sankei Shimbun, June 22, 2018. p.1]</ref><ref name="sankei1806222">[https://web.archive.org/web/20190519182536/https://www.sankei.com/politics/news/180622/plt1806220018-n2.html Sankei Shimbun, June 22, 2018. p.2]</ref>

In Japan, genuine edged hand-made Japanese swords, whether antique or modern, are classified as art objects (and not weapons) and must have accompanying certification to be legally owned. 
Prior to WWII Japan had 1.5million swords in the country – 200,000 of which had been manufactured in factories during the Meiji Restoration. As of 2008, only 100,000 swords remain in Japan. It is estimated that 250,000–350,000 sword have been brought to other nations as souvenirs, art pieces or for Museum purposes. 70% of ''daito'' (long swords), formerly owned by Japanese officers, have been exported or brought to the United States.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Yumoto |first1=John |title=Samurai Sword: A Handbook |date=2008 |publisher=Tuttle Publishing |location=North Clarendon |page=47 }}</ref>

Many swordsmiths since the Edo period have tried to reproduce the sword of the Kamakura period which is considered as the best sword in the history of Japanese swords, but they have failed. Then, in 2014, Kunihira Kawachi succeeded in reproducing it and won the Masamune Prize, the highest honor as a swordsmith. No one could win the Masamune Prize unless he made an extraordinary achievement, and in the section of ''tachi'' and ''katana'', no one had won for 18 years before Kawauchi.<ref name="toukenutsu"/>

The popularity of Japanese swords among Japanese women increased dramatically after the release of a browser video game called ''[[Touken Ranbu]]'', featuring anthropomorphic characters of famous Japanese swords, in 2015. Since then, sales of books on Japanese swords have increased dramatically, and the number of special exhibitions at various museums featuring famous historical swords has increased dramatically, leading to a dramatic increase in the number of visitors to museums. In addition, museums and [[Shinto shrine]]s have launched a number of crowdfunding programmes to purchase historical swords featured in games from private owners, as well as reproductions of swords and new sword mountings, increasing the number of opportunities to view these masterpieces.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.touken-collection-nagoya.jp/touken-nowadays/tokenboom-effect/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230520111913/https://www.touken-collection-nagoya.jp/touken-nowadays/tokenboom-effect/|script-title=ja:刀剣ブームの効果（刀剣女子）|language=ja|publisher=The Japanese Sworm Museum Nagoya Touken World|date=|archive-date=20 May 2023|access-date=4 April 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.asahi.com/articles/ASRD83RW7RD7PLZB01H.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240207014319/https://www.asahi.com/articles/ASRD83RW7RD7PLZB01H.html|script-title=ja:北野天満宮の名刀「鬼切丸」、刀剣ファン後押し CFは目標2倍超え|language=ja|publisher=[[The Asahi Shimbun]]|date=10 December 2023|archive-date=7 February 2024|access-date=4 April 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.asahi.com/articles/ASP1F3QXNP1BUZVL001.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240229090943/https://www.asahi.com/articles/ASP1F3QXNP1BUZVL001.html|script-title=ja:「刀剣乱舞」が教えてくれた刀の美 知識深める女性たち|language=ja|publisher=The Asahi Shimbun|date=14 January 2021|archive-date=29 February 2024|access-date=4 April 2024}}</ref> With the increased interest in Japanese swords, ''gendaitō'' swordsmiths are now being asked by women for their autographs.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.j-cast.com/trend/2018/02/09320644.html?p=all|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240404073213/https://www.j-cast.com/trend/2018/02/09320644.html?p=all|script-title=ja:刀鍛冶にサインを求める女性殺到 「刀剣乱舞」の影響？職人に聞いてみた|language=ja|publisher=J cast|date=9 February 2019|archive-date=4 April 2024|access-date=4 April 2024}}</ref>

=== Cultural and social significance ===
[[File:Three Great Masters of Soshu-den, Go Yoshihiro, Masamune, Awataguchi Yoshimitsu.png|thumb|The Three Great Masters of Soshu-den. Go Yoshihiro (top), Masamune (centre), Awataguchi Yoshimitsu (bottom)]]
The events of Japanese society have shaped the craft of sword making, as has the sword itself influenced the course of cultural and social development within the nation.

The Museum of Fine Arts states that when an artisan plunged the newly crafted sword into the cold water, a portion of his spirit was transferred into the sword. His spirit, morals and state of mind at the time became crucial to the defining of the swords moral and physical characteristics<ref>{{cite journal |title=The Japanese Sword. ''Katana'' wa Bushi no tamashii (The Sword Is the Soul of the Samurai) |journal=Museum of Fine Arts Bulletin |date=August 1906 |volume=4 |issue=21 |pages=29–31 |jstor=4423299 }}</ref>

During the Jōmon period (10,000–1000 BCE) swords resembled iron knife blades and were used for hunting, fishing and farming. There is the idea that swords were more than a tool during the Jōmon period, no swords have been recovered to back this hypothesis.{{sfn|Roach|2010|p=51}}

The Yayoi period (1000 BCE – 300 CE) saw the establishment of villages and the cultivation of rice farming within Japan. Rice farming came as a result of Chinese and Korean influence, they were the first group of people to introduce swords into the Japanese Isles.{{sfn|Roach|2010|p=51,59}}{{sfn|Ogawa|Harada|2010|p=5, 117}} Subsequently, bronze swords were used for religious ceremonies. The Yayoi period saw swords be used primarily for religious and ceremonial purposes.{{sfn|Roach|2010|p=59}}

During the Kofun period (250–538 CE) Animism was introduced into Japanese society. Animism is the belief that everything in life contains or is connected to a divine spirit. This connection to the spirit world premediates the introduction of Buddhism into Japan.{{sfn|Roach|2010|p=52, 60}} During this time, China was craving steel blades on the Korean Peninsula. Japan saw this as a threat to national security and felt the need to develop their military technology. As a result, clan leaders took power as military elites, fighting one another for power and territory. As dominant figures took power, loyalty and servitude became an important part of Japanese life – this became the catalyst for the honour culture that is often affiliated with Japanese people.{{sfn|Roach|2010|p=52, 60}}

In the Edo period (1603–1868), swords gained prominence in everyday life as the "most important" part of a warrior's amour.{{sfn|Ogawa|Harada|2010|p=121}} The Edo era saw swords became a mechanism for bonding between Daimyo and Samurai. Daimyo would gift samurai's with swords as a token of their appreciation for their services. In turn, samurai would gift Daimyo swords as a sign of respect, most Daimyo would keep these swords as family heirlooms. In this period, it was believed that swords were multifunctional; in spirit they represent proof of military accomplishment, in practice they are coveted weapons of war and diplomatic gifts.{{sfn|Ogawa|Harada|2010|p=122}}

The peace of the Edo period saw the demand for swords fall. To retaliate, in 1719 the eighth Tokugawa shogun, Yoshimune, compiled a list of "most famous swords". Masamune, Awatacuchi Yoshimitsu, and Go no Yoshihiro were dubbed the "Three Famous Smiths", their swords became sought after by the Daimyo. The prestige and demand for these status symbols spiked the price for these fine pieces.{{sfn|Ogawa|Harada|2010|p=122}}

During the Late-Edo period, Suishinshi Masahide wrote that swords should be less extravagant. Swords began to be simplified and altered to be durable, sturdy and made to cut well.{{sfn|Ogawa|Harada|2010|p=123}} In 1543 guns arrived in Japan, changing military dynamic and practicality of swords and samurai's.{{sfn|Ogawa|Harada|2010|p=22}} This period also saw introduction of martial arts as a means to connecting to the spirit world and allowed common people to participate in samurai culture.{{sfn|Wert|2019|p=95}}

The Meiji period (1868–1912) saw the dissolution of the samurai class, after foreign powers demanded Japan open their borders to international trade – 300-hundred years of Japanese isolation came to an end. In 1869 and 1873, two petition were submitted to government to abolish the custom of sword wearing because people feared the outside world would view swords as a "tool for bloodshed" and would consequentially associate Japanese people as violent.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Kishida |first1=Tom |last2=Mishina |first2=Kenji |title=The Yasukuni Swords: Rare Weapons of Japan, 1933–1945 |date=2004 |publisher=Kodansha International |location=Tokyo; New York |isbn=4770027540 |page=42 |edition=1st}}</ref> Haitōrei (1876) outlawed and prohibited wearing swords in public, with the exception for those in the military and government official; swords lost their meaning within society. Emperor Meiji was determined to westernize Japan with the influence of American technological and scientific advances; however, he himself appreciated the art of sword making.{{sfn|Roach|2010|p=137}}{{sfn|Kishida|Mishina|2004|p=42}} The Meiji era marked the final moments of samurai culture, as samurai's were no match for conscript soldiers who were trained to use western firearms.{{sfn|Kishida|Mishina|2004|p=43}} Some samurai found it difficult to assimilate to the new culture as they were forced to give up their privileges, while others preferred this less-hierarchical way of life.{{sfn|Wert|2019|p=107}} Even with the ban, the Sino-Japanese War (1894) saw Japanese troops wear swords into battle, not for practical use but for symbolic reasons.{{sfn|Kishida|Mishina|2004|p=43}}

The Meiji era also saw the integration of Buddhism into Shinto Japanese beliefs. Swords were no longer necessary, in war or lifestyle, and those who practiced martial arts became the "modern samurai" – young children were still groomed to serve the emperor and put loyalty and honour above all else, as this new era of rapid development required loyal, hard working men.{{sfn|Roach|2010|p=141}} The practice of sword making was prohibited, thus swords during the Meiji period were obsolete and a mere symbol of status. Swords were left to rust, sold or melted into more 'practical' objects for everyday life.

Prior to and during WWII, even with the modernization of the army, the demand for swords exceeded the number of swordsmiths still capable of making them. As a result, swords of this era are of poor quality. In 1933, during the Shōwa era (1926–1989), a sword making factory designed to re-establish the "spirit of Japan" through the art of sword making was built to preserve the legacy and art of swordsmiths and sword making.{{sfn|Kishida|Mishina|2004|p=41}} The government at the time feared that the warrior spirit (loyalty and honour) was disappearing within Japan, along with the integrity and quality of swords.{{sfn|Kishida|Mishina|2004|p=41}}

For a portion of the US occupation of Japan, sword making, swordsmiths and wielding of swords was prohibited. As a means to preserve the warrior culture of Japan, martial arts was put into the school curriculum.{{sfn|Roach|2010|p=141}} In 1953, America finally lifted the ban on swords after realizing that sword making is an important cultural asset to preserving Japanese history and legacy.{{sfn|Kishida|Mishina|2004|p=42}}

==== Religion, honour and mythology ====
The origins of Japanese swords and their effects and influence on society differs depending on the story that is followed.
 
* Swords and warriors are closely associated with Shinto in [[Japanese culture]]. Shinto is "the way of the gods", meaning that all elements of the world are embedded with god like spirits.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Yumoto |first1=John |last2=Ford |first2=T |title=Samurai Sword: A Handbook. |publisher=Tuttle Pub |isbn=978-4805311349 |page=47|date=2011-03-10 }}</ref> Shinto endorses self-purification, ancestral worship, nature-worship and imperial divinity. It is said that swords are a source of wisdom and "emanate energy" to inspire the wielder.{{sfn|Roach|2010|p=53}} As Shintoism shaped the progress of Japanese expansionism and international affairs so too did the sword become a mechanism for change.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Ogawa |first1=Morihiro |last2=Harada |first2=Kazutoshi |title=Art of the Samurai: Japanese Arms and Armor, 1156–1868 |date=2010 |publisher=Metropolitan Museum of Art |location=New York |isbn=978-0300142051 |page=120}}</ref>
* There is a Japanese legend that, along with the mirror and the jewels, the sword makes up one of three Imperial Icons. The Imperial Icons present the three values and personality traits that all good emperors should possess as leaders of celestial authority.{{sfn|Roach|2010|p=53}}<ref>{{cite book |last1=Singer |first1=Kurt |title= Mirror, Sword and Jewel: The Geometry of Japanese Life |date=1981 |publisher=Kodansha International |location=Tokyo; New York |isbn=0870114603 |pages=25, 51, 117 }}</ref>
* Japanese mythology states that the sword is a "symbol of truth" and a "token of virtue".{{sfn|Roach|2010|p=55}}{{sfn|Singer|1981|p=25}} Legend states originate from the battle between Amaterasu and her brother, Susa-no-wo-o-no Mikotot (Susa-no). To defeat Susa-no, Amaterasu split the ten-span sword until she broke herself into three pieces. Legend states that the sword can "create union by imposing social order" because it hold the ability to cut objects into two or more pieces and dictate the shape and size of the pieces.{{sfn|Roach|2010|p=55}}
* Mythology also suggests that when Emperor [[Emperor Jimmu|Jimmu Tennō]] was moving his army through the land, a deity blocked their path with toxic gas which caused them to drift into an indefinite slumber. Upon seeing this, Amaterasu pleaded with the God of Thunder to punish the deity and allow the emperor to proceed. The God of Thunder, instead of following her orders, sent his sword down to the emperor to subdue the land. Upon receiving the sword, the emperor woke up, along with his troops and they proceeded with their mission. According this legend, swords have the power to save the imperial (divine) bloodline in times of need.{{sfn|Roach|2010|p=57}}
* In martial arts training, it is believed that within a sword: 
** "The blade represents the juncture where the wisdom of leaders and gods intersects with the commoner. The sword represents the implement by which societies are managed. The effectiveness of the sword as a tool and the societal beliefs surrounding it both lift the sword to the pinnacle of warrior symbolism."{{sfn|Roach|2010|p=169}}
* Swords are a symbol of Japanese honour and esteem for hand-to-hand combat. They represent the idea that taking another's life should be done with honour, and long-range combat (firearms) is a cowardly way to end another's life.{{sfn|Singer|1981|p=41}}{{sfn|Ogawa|Harada|2010|p=22}} This also connects to the Japanese belief of self-sacrifice, warriors should be ready to lay down their lives for their nation (emperor).{{sfn|Singer|1981|p=41}}<ref>{{cite book |last1=Wert |first1=Michael |title=Samurai: A Concise History |date=2019 |publisher=Oxford University Press |location=New York |isbn=978-0190932947 |page=107}}</ref>

There is a rich relationship between swords, Japanese culture, and societal development. The different interpretations of the origins of swords and their connection to the spirit world, each hold their own merit within Japanese society, past and present. Which one and how modern-day samurai interpret the history of swords, help influence the kind of samurai and warrior they choose to be.