Editing Japanese sword (section)

== Appreciation ==
[[File:Sadatsuna oshigata 2.jpg|thumb|Difference between ''Oshigata'', an exact copy of ''hamon'', and the photograph.]]
Historically, Japanese swords have been regarded not only as weapons but also as works of art, especially for high-quality ones. For a long time, Japanese people have developed a unique appreciation method in which the blade is regarded as the core of their aesthetic evaluation rather than the sword mountings decorated with luxurious lacquer or metal works.<ref name = "tozando">[https://web.archive.org/web/20210228044551/https://weblog.tozando.com/how-to-appreciate-a-japanese-sword/ How to appreciate a Japanese sword.] Tozando.</ref><ref name ="en20p117">Kazuhiko Inada (2020), ''Encyclopedia of the Japanese Swords''. pp.117–119 {{ISBN|978-4651200408}}</ref>
[[File:元禄拾五年本阿弥光忠折紙, Japanese sword authentication paper (Origami) by Hon'ami Kōchū.jpg|thumb|300px|left|A Japanese sword authentication paper (Origami) from 1702 that Hon'ami Kōchū certified a ''tantō'' made by Yukimitsu in the 14th century as authentic.]]
It is said that the following three objects are the most noteworthy objects when appreciating a blade. The first is the overall shape referred to as ''sugata''. Curvature, length, width, tip, and shape of tang of the sword are the objects for appreciation. The second is a fine pattern on the surface of the blade, which is referred to as ''hada'' or ''jigane''. By repeatedly folding and forging the blade, fine patterns such as fingerprints, tree rings and bark are formed on its surface. The third is ''[[Hamon (swordsmithing)|hamon]]''. It is a fuzzy line in the white pattern of the cutting edge produced by quenching and tempering. It does not refer to the white area on the side of the blade. The white part is the part that is whitened by a polishing process called ''hadori'' to make it easier to see the ''hamon'', and the actual ''hamon'' is a fuzzy line within the white part. The actual line of the ''hamon'' can be seen by holding the sword in your hand and looking at it while changing the angle of the light shining on the blade.<ref name="jre220122">{{cite web|url=https://www.jb-honshi.co.jp/museum/kikou/15/03.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220122115257/https://www.jb-honshi.co.jp/museum/kikou/15/03.html|script-title=ja:備前長船刀剣博物館に関しての対談2|language=ja|publisher=Bizen Osafune touken Museum/Honshu-Shikoku Bridge Expressway Company|date=|archive-date=22 January 2022|access-date=26 February 2024}}</ref><ref name="300421nagoya">{{cite web|url=https://www.meihaku.jp/ginga-sword/ginga-hamon/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210430030757/https://www.meihaku.jp/ginga-sword/ginga-hamon/|script-title=ja:いろんな刃文を観てみる|language=ja|publisher=The Nagoya Japanese Sword Museum "Nagoya Touken World"|date=|archive-date=30 April 2021|access-date=26 February 2024}}</ref> The object of appreciation is the shape of hammon and the crystal particles formed at the boundary of hammon. Depending on the size of the particles, they can be divided into two types, a ''nie'' and a ''nioi'', which makes them look like stars or mist. In addition to these three objects, a swordsmith signature and a file pattern engraved on tang, and a carving inscribed on the blade, which is referred to as ''[[horimono]]'', are also the objects of appreciation.<ref name = "tozando"/><ref name ="en20p117"/>

The Hon'ami clan, which was an authority of appraisal of Japanese swords, rated Japanese swords from these artistic points of view. In addition, experts of modern Japanese swords judge when and by which swordsmith school the sword was made from these artistic points of view.<ref name = "tozando"/><ref name ="en20p117"/>

Generally, the blade and the sword mounting of Japanese swords are displayed separately in museums, and this tendency is remarkable in Japan. For example, the Nagoya Japanese Sword Museum "Nagoya Touken World", one of Japan's largest sword museums, posts separate videos of the blade and the sword mounting on its official website and YouTube.<ref name="touken-world.jp">[https://www.touken-world.jp/en/video/ Touken World YouTube videos about Japanese swords]</ref><ref name="ReferenceA">[https://www.touken-world.jp/en/video-koshirae/ Touken World YouTube videos on koshirae (sword mountings)]</ref>
{{Clear}}