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SAMURAI SWORD SWORDSMITH SCHOOLS
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SWORD PERIODS
The craft of Samurai sword making has long been considered an art form. Various towns in Japan would have sword makers
who would develop their own techniques to treat and shape the steel. The swordmaker would create a "school", where locals
from the village could learn the art of sword making.
The techniques of sword manufacturing were well guarded secrets. Having the ability to create light weight swords that had
the strength to make it through battles, and hold an edge capable of cutting through armor would make the difference
between life and death.
Each school would develop ways in which to marke their creations. Often times this was done by developing a heat temper
pattern for the blade and signing the tang.
ANCIENT SWORD PERIOD (Until AD 900)
These swords were made primarily by Chinese and Korean swordmakers. The quality of the steel was not very
good. The swords would break during combat. The swords were primarily straight, instead of having the
iconic curve look of the traditional Samurai sword.
OLD SWORD PERIOD (900 to 1530)
The following list of schools flourished during the old sword era:
BIZEN SCHOOL
YAMASHIRO SCHOOL
YAMATO SCHOOL
SOSHU SCHOOL
MINO SCHOOL
NEW SWORD PERIOD (1530 to 1867)
The following is a list of the provinces and the sword smith's who
represent some of the finest expressions of the art generated during
this time period:
YAMASHIRO PROVINCE
SETTSU PROVINCE
MINO PROVINCE
MUSASHI PROVINCE
OMI PROVINCE
IWASHIRO PROVINCE
RIKUZEN PROVINCE
WAKASA PROVINCE
ECHIZEN PROVINCE
KAGA PROVINCE
BITCHU PROVINCE
AKI PROVINCE
KII PROVINCE
BIZEN PROVINCE
HIZEN PROVINCE
SATSUMA PROVINCE
MODERN SWORD (1868 to now)
It is during these years that Japan begins to open to
the rest of the world and modernizes. This period rushed the
end of the Samurai era. Swords could no longer be worn and the
swordmakers started to vanish.
The Showa era (1926 to now) is considered to be a part of the modern
sword period. It is during this time that WWII occurs and helps
revive the art of swordmaking. However, it is to no extent
comparable to what it once was.
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