Editing Japanese sword (section)

== Rating of Japanese swords and swordsmiths ==
In Japan, Japanese swords are rated by authorities of each period, and some of the authority of the rating is still valid today.

In 1719, [[Tokugawa Yoshimune]], the 8th [[shogun]] of the [[Tokugawa shogunate]], ordered Hon'ami Kōchū, who was an authority of sword appraisal, to record swords possessed by ''[[daimyo]]'' all over Japan in books. In the completed "''Kyōhō Meibutsu Chō''" (享保名物帳) 249 precious swords were described, and additional 25 swords were described later. The list also includes 81 swords that had been destroyed in previous fires. The precious swords described in this book were called "''Meibutsu''" (名物) and the criteria for selection were artistic elements, origins and legends. The list of "Meibutsu" includes 59 swords made by [[Masamune]], 34 by Awataguchi Yoshimitsu and 22 by Go Yoshihiro, and these 3 swordsmiths were considered special. ''Daimyo'' hid some swords for fear that they would be confiscated by the Tokugawa Shogunate, so even some precious swords were not listed in the book. For example, ''Daihannya Nagamitsu'' and ''[[Yamatorige]]'', which are now designated as National Treasures, were not listed.<ref name="toukenkaku"/>

[[File:Tanto Hōraisan Kotetsu.jpg|thumb|300px|[[Nagasone Kotetsu]], rated as ''[[List of Wazamono|Saijo Ō Wazamono]]'', was one of the most popular swordsmiths in the Edo period. A ''[[tantō]]'', ''Hōraisan Kotetsu''.]]
Yamada Asaemon V, who was the official sword cutting ability examiner and executioner of the Tokugawa shogunate, published a book, ''Kaiho Kenjaku'' (懐宝剣尺), in 1797 in which he ranked the cutting ability of swords. The book lists 228 swordsmiths, whose forged swords are called "''[[List of Wazamono|Wazamono]]''" (業物) and the highest "''Saijo Ō Wazamono''" (最上大業物) has 12 selected. In the reprinting in 1805, 1 swordsmith was added to the highest grade, and in the major revised edition in 1830 "''Kokon Kajibiko''" (古今鍛冶備考), two swordsmiths were added to the highest grade, and in the end, 15 swordsmiths were ranked as the highest grade. The ''katana'' forged by [[Nagasone Kotetsu]], one of the top-rated swordsmiths, became very popular at the time when the book was published, and many counterfeits were made. In these books, the three swordsmiths treated specially in "''Kyōhō Meibutsu Chō''" and [[Muramasa]], who was famous at that time for forging swords with high cutting ability, were not mentioned. The reasons for this are considered to be that Yamada was afraid of challenging the authority of the shogun, that he could not use the precious sword possessed by the daimyo in the examination, and that he was considerate of the legend of Muramasa's curse.<ref name="toukenkaku"/><ref name="iwasaki-1934">{{ Citation | last=Iwasaki | first=Kosuke | author-link=Kosuke Iwasaki | chapter=Muramasa's curse (村正の祟りについて)| pages=91–118 | title=Japanese sword course, volume 8, Historical Anecdotes and Practical Appreciation. (日本刀講座 第8巻 歴史及説話・実用及鑑賞) | publisher=Yuzankaku | year=1934 | doi=10.11501/1265855 }}</ref>
[[File:Katana Magoroku Kanemoto 2.jpg|thumb|left|300px|A ''katana'' forged by ''Magoroku Kanemoto''. (''[[List of Wazamono|Saijo Ō Wazamono]]'') Late Muromachi period. (top) Katana mounting, Early Edo period. (bottom)]]

At present, by the Law for the Protection of Cultural Properties, important swords of high historical value are designated as [[Important Cultural Property (Japan)|Important Cultural Properties]] (''Jūyō Bunkazai'', 重要文化財), and special swords among them are designated as [[National Treasure (Japan)|National Treasures]] (''Kokuhō'', 国宝). The swords designated as cultural properties based on the law of 1930, which was already abolished, have the rank next to Important Cultural Properties as Important Art Object (''Jūyō Bijutsuhin'', 重要美術品). In addition, the [[Nihon Bijutsu Token Hozon Kyokai|Society for Preservation of Japanese Art Swords]], a public interest incorporated foundation, rates high-value swords in four grades, and the highest grade Special Important Sword (''Tokubetsu Juyo Token'', 特別重要刀剣) is considered to be equivalent to the value of Important Art Object. Although swords owned by the [[Imperial House of Japan|Japanese imperial family]] are not designated as National Treasures or Important Cultural Properties because they are outside the jurisdiction of the Law for the Protection of Cultural Properties, there are many swords of the National Treasure class, and they are called "''Gyobutsu''" (御物).<ref name="toukenkaku"/><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20210828220206/https://www.touken.or.jp/Portals/0/pdf/johokoukai/31-3%20%E5%AF%A9%E6%9F%BB%E8%A6%8F%E7%A8%8B%E7%AC%AC%EF%BC%91%EF%BC%97%E6%9D%A1%E7%AC%AC%EF%BC%91%E9%A0%85%E3%81%AB%E5%AE%9A%E3%82%81%E3%82%8B%E5%AF%A9%E6%9F%BB%E5%9F%BA%E6%BA%96%2027.5.19~.pdf ＜審査規程第17条第1項に基づく審査基準＞.] [[Nihon Bijutsu Token Hozon Kyokai]].</ref>

Currently, there are several authoritative rating systems for swordsmiths. According to the rating approved by the Japanese government, from 1890 to 1947, two swordsmiths who were appointed as [[Imperial Household Artist]] and after 1955, six swordsmiths who were designated as [[Living National Treasure (Japan)|Living National Treasure]] are regarded as the best swordsmiths. According to the rating approved by the [[Nihon Bijutsu Token Hozon Kyokai|Society for Preservation of Japanese Art Swords]], a public interest incorporated foundation, 39 swordsmiths who were designated as ''Mukansa'' (無鑑査) since 1958 are considered to be the highest-ranking swordsmiths. The best sword forged by Japanese swordsmiths is awarded the most honorable Masamune prize by the Society for Preservation of Japanese Art Swords. Since 1961, eight swordsmiths have received the Masamune Prize, and among them, three swordsmiths, [[Masamine Sumitani]], [[Akitsugu Amata]] and Toshihira Osumi, have received the prize three times each and Sadakazu Gassan II has received the prize two times. These four persons were designated both Living National Treasures and ''Mukansa''.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20210212044905/https://www.touken-world.jp/tips/12869/ 日本刀の刀匠・刀工「無鑑査刀匠」.] Nagoya Japanese Sword Museum Touken World.</ref>
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