| Samurai sword history and making The Samurai | | | | the long drawn out war ended, and with it the |
| sword history is a long and colorful one. It spans | | | | demand for Samurai swords decreased. The daito |
| decades of war in Japan. In fact, the development | | | | (long sword) was made shorter and it could now |
| of the Samurai sword can be segregated | | | | be carried on a person’s side. |
| according to specific eras in Japanese history. | | | | The Shinto Samurai sword history and making |
| The ancient Samurai sword was made A.D. 900 | | | | began the trend of decorating the Samurai sword |
| during the Ken period. They were made of steel | | | | with dragons, flowers, and other artistic forms of |
| and the blades were straight like a regular sword | | | | expression. |
| because it was copied from the Chinese sword. | | | | Most of the Samurai swords in the market or on |
| The craftsmen at that time were initially Chinese | | | | display were made in this period. |
| men, but this eventually changed to include the | | | | The modern era, also known as the Shin-shinto |
| early Japanese craftsmen | | | | period was a time when there was tremendous |
| From there we go to the oldest period was of | | | | turmoil among the makers of swords. The |
| A.D. 900 to 1596 called Koto. This was when | | | | Samurai sword was suddenly banned, and local |
| battles and wars were frequent. The sword | | | | craftsmen lost their trade. They turned to making |
| became such a common sight to see | | | | tools for agriculture and livelihood like scissors, |
| everywhere. It was a means to getting power. | | | | hoes, and knives. |
| At that time, power was only attained through | | | | For some sad reason Samurai sword history and |
| wars and battles. | | | | making became a dead industry. Unfortunately |
| It was during the Koto period that the Samurai | | | | this was also the time when Samurai swords |
| sword history and making gradually evolved into | | | | were being shipped out of Japan, mostly as a |
| the single curved blade. It was also during this | | | | novelty collectors’ item. |
| period that famous sword smiths started their | | | | What is now regarded is the Golden Age of the |
| craft. One such man was Yasutsuna who became | | | | Samurai sword history and making is from 1192 |
| known for his craftsmanship. | | | | to 1573. These were the periods of the |
| However, since the Samurai sword was a | | | | Kamakura and Muromachi. What was most |
| necessity at the time, there were also many | | | | memorable during this period was the fact that |
| mediocre craftsmen who started making swords | | | | sword making became revitalized again, and the |
| without checking for quality. This is why we see a | | | | legendary Masamune emerged. |
| lot of Samurai swords from the Koto period | | | | This man’s craftsmanship is unheralded |
| which are not well made. | | | | throughout Samurai sword history and making. His |
| Following the Koto period, the next in the Samurai | | | | work is extremely beautiful and unique. In fact |
| sword history and making is the Shinto period. It | | | | these Samurai swords are nor considered national |
| is also called the new sword era. During this time, | | | | treasures. |