The circle indicate the time we are discussing in this section
After Onin-no-Ran, Kyoto was in a devastated condition. Distinguished sword smiths in the Kyoto area were almost all gone. Sengoku Daimyo (warlord or feudal lord) demanded a large number of swords from nearby. During this time, Mino and Bizen were the active swordsmiths. It was because Mino province was located in a convenient place for many feudal lords. Also, Shizu group from Yamato Den (school) moved to Mino province. Tegai Kaneyoshi from Yamato Den moved to Mino and many swordsmiths from Yamashiro and Yamato area moved to Mino. Thus, Mino could supply the high demand for a large number of swords. During this wartime, Samurai demanded the practical swords that do not bend, break and cut well, very practical sword. Together with Mino, Bizen Osafune swordsmiths fulfilled the huge demand.
Chumon-Uchi and Kazu-Uchi-Mono.
Kazu-Uchi-Mono was a sword made just good enough for one battle. They were not made for permanent preservation. Whereas Chumon-Uchi was an order made swords. Sound shape, good forging, often engraved the swordsmith’s name and the name of a person who ordered.
Mino-Den characteristics
Sugata (shape)————–shallow curvature, Low Gyo-no-mune, Chu-Kissaki with Fukura. The width and the thickness are not too wide not too thick. In Mino-den, engraving is rare. In Bizen-den, Bo-hi (straight groove) ends round above Machi ( refer to 4 Names of parts).
Hamon (Tempered line波紋)————–Mino-Den ——–Mostly Nioi. Pointed Gunome (Sanbon-sugi), O-notare, Yahazu-midare, Hako-midare (box shape), Chu-suguha with Katai-ha, Mino Koshi-ba (Sugu-ha about 1 inch at the bottom, then irregular, top is Chu-suguha). Bizen-Den ———-Mostly Nioi. Wide tempered line. Koshi-hiraita-Midare.
Mino-Den Hamon
Bizen-Den Hamon
Boshi —————————Turn back deep, Ko-Maru, and kaeri-yoru,
Jitetu ( 地鉄)————-Mokume (wood burl) mixed with Masame (straght grain) often shows Masame on Shinogi area. Sometimes, Mokume stands out.
Swordsmiths during Sengoku Period
Mino-Den————Magoroku Kanemoto (孫六兼元) Izuminokami Knesada (和泉守兼定) Bizen-Den—-Yosouzaemon Sukesada (興三左衛門祐定) Norimitu (則光) Tadamitu(忠光)
