Sengoku Period – Study of Japanese Sword

August 12, 2019December 11, 2025 Yurie Endo 遠藤由利江 62| Part 2 of - - -26|Edo Period History(江戸時代）1603 - 1867, Uncategorized

59| Part 2 of — 25 Edo Period History (江戸時代歴史)

Chapter 59 is a detailed section of Chapter 25 Edo Period History (江戸時代歴史). Please read Chapter 25 before reading this part.

0-timeline - size 24 edo Period The red circle above indicates the time we discuss in this section

Battle of Sekigahara (関ヶ原合戦)

Toyotomi Hideyoshi (豊臣秀吉), the most powerful figure during the Sengoku and Momoyama periods, died in 1598. His heir, Hideyori (秀頼), was only five years old. Before his death, Hideyoshi established a council system composed of the top five daimyo to oversee Hideyori’s affairs as regents until he reached adulthood.

At Hideyoshi’s deathbed, all five Daimyo agreed to serve as guardians of Hideyori. However, over time, Ishida Mitsunari (石田三成) and Tokugawa Ieyasu (徳川家康) began to disagree. In 1600, finally, the two main Daimyo clashed, leading to the Battle of Sekigahara. One side is called Seigun (the Western army), led by Ishida Mitsunari and the other is Togun (the Eastern army), led by Tokugawa Ieyasu. All the daimyo across the country sided either with Tokugawa or with Ishida Mitsunari. It is said that Mitsunari’s forces had 100,000 men, while Tokugawa’s forces had 70,000. Ieyasu had fewer soldiers, but he ultimately won. Ieyasu became the chief retainer of the Toyotomi clan, meaning he was virtually the top figure since Hideyori was still a child.

In 1603, Ieyasu became a Shogun. Now, Ieyasu took control of Japan, establishing the Tokugawa Bakufu (government) in Edo and eliminating the council system.

Toyotomi Hideyori lived with his mother, Yodo-gimi (or Yodo-dono), at Osaka Castle, which Hideyoshi had built before his death. Over time, tensions arose between Hideyori and Yodo-gimi in Osaka and Ieyasu in Edo. Yodo-gimi was a proud and headstrong person, and she had good reasons for it. She was the niece of Oda Nobunaga, the wife of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and the mother of Hideyori, the head of the Toyotomi clan. Later, her pride led her into trouble and contributed to the Toyotomi clan’s downfall.

Siege of Osaka: Winter (1614) and Summer ( 1615) Campaigns

During the 15 years between the Battle of Sekigahara and the Siege of Osaka Castle, tensions between the Tokugawa Shogunate and the Toyotomi clan steadily increased. Before the Battle of Sekigahara, the Toyotomi clan ruled Japan. After Sekigahara, the Tokugawa bakufu took control of Japan. The Toyotomi clan lost many key advisors and vassals in the battle. As a result, Toyotomi’s power remained centered on Yodo-gimi. By the time of the siege, Hideyori had grown into a fine young man, but Yodo-gimi had overly protected and controlled her son. She wouldn’t even let Hideyori practice kendo (the traditional Japanese swordsmanship), claiming it was too dangerous.

She persistently acted as if the Toyotomi clan still held the highest power. Tokugawa Ieyasu tried to ease tensions by arranging for his granddaughter, Sen-hime, to marry Hideyori. A few advisors suggested that Yodo-gimi should yield to Tokugawa, but she insisted that Tokugawa must subordinate himself to Toyotomi. Rumors began circulating that the Toyotomi side was recruiting and gathering many ronin (unemployed samurai) within Osaka Castle. Several key figures tried to mediate between the Toyotomi and Tokugawa clans but were unsuccessful.

Finally, Ieyasu led his army to Osaka, and in November 1614, he launched a campaign to siege Osaka Castle (the Winter Campaign). It is said that the Toyotomi side had 100,000 soldiers, though some were merely mercenaries. However, Osaka Castle was built almost like a fortress, making it very difficult to attack. The Tokugawa army attacked fiercely and fired cannons daily, but they realized the castle was so well built that it was a waste of time to keep trying.

Eventually, both sides entered peace negotiations. They agreed on several items in the treaty. One of them was to fill the outer moat of Osaka Castle. However, the Tokugawa side filled both the outer and inner moats. That angered the Toyotomi side, and they became suspicious that the Tokugawa might not keep the agreement.

Another agreement was the disarmament of the Toyotomi clan. However, the Toyotomi side kept their soldiers inside the castle. Tokugawa issued a final ultimatum to the Toyotomi side: remove all soldiers from the castle or vacate it. Yodo-gimi refused both demands.

After that, another siege started in the summer of 1615 (the Summer Campaign). It is said that the Toyotomi had 70,000 men, whereas the Tokugawa had 150,000. Both sides fought in several battles here and there, but the early battles did not go well for either side due to thick fog, delayed troop arrivals, and miscommunication. The final battle took place at Osaka Castle. The Toyotomi decided to stay inside the castle, but soon, a fire broke out from within and burned the castle down. Yodo-gimi and Hideyori hid inside a storage building, waiting for Ieyasu’s response to their pleas for mercy. They hoped their daughter-in-law could negotiate the terms of the deal. However, it was not accepted, and both died inside the storage building.

Nene and Yodo-gimi

Nene was the lawful wife of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. She was a bright and wise person, despite not being of noble birth. Everyone respected her, including Tokugawa Ieyasu. Even Hideyoshi often valued her opinions on political matters. She helped Hideyoshi rise through the ranks. However, Nene was unable to have children. Toyotomi Hideyoshi sought out other women everywhere, hoping to produce an heir, but none could have his child except Yodo-gimi. Naturally, rumors circulated about who the real biological father was. Speculation pointed to several men, one of whom was Ishida Mitsunari.

62 Yodo Gimi

伝　淀殿画像（possibly of Yodo-dono, but not confirmed）Owned by the Nara Museum of Art, Public Domain: Yodo-dono cropped.jpg from Wikimedia Commons, the free media repository.

*Nene* (*Kodai-in*), the legitimate wife of *Toyotomi Hideyoshi*. Image in the public domain from Wikimedia, owned by *Kodai-Ji*

July 22, 2019December 10, 2025 Yurie Endo 遠藤由利江 61| Part 2 of --- 25|Sengoku Period Tanto (1467 - 1596), Uncategorized

58|Part 2 of — 24 Sengoku Period Tanto (戦国時代短刀)

Chapter 58 is a detailed section of Chapter 24, Sengoku Period Tanto. Please read Chapter 24, Sengoku Period Tanto, before reading this part.

0-timeline - size 24 Sengoku Period

　　　　　 The red circle above indicates the time we discuss in this section

Muramasa (村正)

This chapter discusses the famous Muramasa (村正). Usually, many well-known swordsmiths come from one of the Goka-den (五家伝: the five main schools: Yamashiro-den, Bizen-den, Soshu-den, Yamato-den, and Mino-den). However, Muramasa was not from Goka-den but from Ise Province. The first-generation Muramasa was known as a student of He’ian-jo Nagayoshi (平安城長吉) of Yamashiro-den. The Muramasa family existed through the mid-Muromachi period. They spanned three generations from the mid-Muromachi to the Sengoku period.

61 Ise map

Below is one of Muramasa’s tantos, made during the Sengoku period. Since it was made during the Sengoku era, the blade shows the style of Sengoku-period swords. It reflects Mino-den characteristics, combined with Soshu-den traits.

Muramasa (村正) from Sano Museum Catalogue (permission granted)

Characteristics on this Tanto

Muramasa’s tantos are typically about ten inches ± half an inch or so. Hirazukuri (平作り). Thin blades with a sharp look. The nioi base with small nie and sunagashi patterns (brushed sand-like patterns, as shown in the illustration below) appears. The boshi (the top part of the hamon) is jizo (a side view of a human head). The tempered line varies with both wide and narrow areas. Some areas are so narrow, almost close to the edge of the blade, while others are broader. Hako midare (box-like shape) and gunome (lined-up bead pattern) appear. O-notare (large, gentle waviness) is a signature characteristic of Muramasa. The pointed-tempered line is a typical characteristic of Mino-den (Sanbon-sugi). Refer to Chapter 23, Sengoku Period Sword, and Chapter 24, Sengoku Period Tanto.

July 15, 2019December 10, 2025 Yurie Endo 遠藤由利江 60| Second Part of ---24 Sengoku Period Sword

57| Part 2 of — 23 Sengoku Period Sword (戦国時代刀)

Chapter 57 is a detailed section of Chapter 23, Sengoku Period Sword. Please read Chapter 23, Sengoku Period Sword, before reading this part.

0-timeline - size 24 Sengoku Period

The red circle above indicates the time we discuss in this section

During the Sengoku period (Warring States era), the Mino-den and Bizen Osafune groups were the leading sword makers. For nearly 100 years during the Warring States period, all daimyo needed numerous swords. Having suppliers nearby was more advantageous. Many Sengoku daimyo (戦国大名: warlords) could easily access the Mino region because of its central location. Since the Heian period, Mino swordsmiths have been producing swords there. One of the well-known swordsmiths of Mino-den at the end of the Kamakura period was Shizu Kane’uji (志津兼氏). He was one of the Masamune juttettu (正宗十哲)*. However, the true peak of the Mino-den came during the Sengoku period. During the Sengoku period, the Shizu and Tegai groups from the Yamato region, and swordsmiths from the Yamashiro area, moved to Mino. Mino became the busiest center for sword-making, producing practical swords for feudal lords.

*Masamune Juttetsu (正宗十哲) ———-The original meaning of Masamune Juttetsu was the top 10 Masamune students. However, the term was later used more broadly. Masamune Juttetsu (正宗十哲)：https://www.touken-world.jp/tips/7194/

Three examples of Sengoku period swords

The three swords listed below are examples of swords from the Sengoku period. Note that each sword is unique. Even when the same swordsmith forged swords, each one is different. Please refer to Chapter 23, Sengoku Period Sword, for the key characteristics of swords made during the Sengoku period.

Bizen Osafune Yosozaemon Sukesada (備前国住長船与三左衛門尉祐定) from Sano Museum Catalog (permission granted).

Characteristis on the sword above

Hamon is Kani-no-tsume (crab-claw pattern; see the hamon above). The Kani-no-tsume pattern hamon never appeared during the Heian, Kamakura, or Nanboku-cho periods. This type of hamon is one of the key factors in determining whether a sword is from the Sengoku Period. Marudome-hi (the end of the groove is rounded) often appears on Bizen-den swords during the Sengoku period. Wide tempered area. The midare-komi boshi (where the hamon on the body and the boshi share the same pattern) has a long turn-back that stops abruptly. The hamon has a nioi base, and most Bizen swords feature nioi, though a few exceptions exist.

60 kanesada illustration Izuminokami Fujiwara Kanesada (和泉守藤原兼㝎)　from Sano Museum Catalog

Characteristic on the sword above

The last character of the kanji (Chinese characters) in the swordsmith’s name above is “㝎.” We use this uncommon character instead of the standard “定” for him. Because there are two Kanesada. To distinguish him from the other Kanesada (兼定), we use the character “㝎 “and call him Nosada “のさだ.”

Izuminokami Fujiwara Kanesada (AKA Nosada) was the leading swordsmith of Mino-den during that time. The sword’s shape is typical of the Sengoku period: shallow curvature, a chu-gissaki (medium-sized kissaki), and a pointed gunome hamon. The hamon width can be wide and narrow. Nosada and other Mino-den swordsmiths often exhibit wood-grain patterns with masame on the ji-hada. Nioi base, mixed with coarse nie.

Bizen Osafune Norimitsu (備前長船法光) from Sano Museum Catalog, permission granted.

Characteristic of the sword above

Shallow curvature. Sturdy appearance. Marudome-hi (the hi ends are rounded). The pointed hamon is called togari-ba (尖り刃). Nioi base, mixed with nie. Slight masame and wood grain patterns on Ji-hada.

July 7, 2019December 10, 2025 Yurie Endo 遠藤由利江 59| Second Part of ---23|Sengoku Period History (戦国時代) 1467 --- 1596, Uncategorized

56| Part 2 of — 22 Sengoku Period History (戦国時代歴史)　

Chapter 56 is a detailed section of Chapter 22, Sengoku Period History. Please read Chapter 22, Sengoku Period History, before reading this part.

The circle above indicate the time we discuss in this section

Chapter 22, Sengoku Period History, explains why we divide the Muromachi period into the Muromachi and Sengoku periods based on sword styles. The center timeline above indicates that the Sengoku period (戦国時代) ended in 1596, according to sword history.

1596 is the start of the Keicho (慶長) era. Swords made during and after the Keicho era are called shin-to (new swords), and swords before the Keicho era are called ko-to (old swords). Therefore, the start of the Keicho era is the dividing line. The swords made during the Keicho time are technically shin-to, but they are specially called Keicho shin-to.

Chapter 22, Sengoku Period History, describes an overview of the Sengoku period. At the beginning of the Sengoku period, about thirty small Sengoku daimyo (warlords) fought fiercely against each other. They formed alliances with neighboring territories on and off, and occasionally betrayed one another. The more powerful daimyo took over the territories of the weaker ones. Gradually, the number of daimyo decreased. Well-known powerful daimyo include Imagawa Yoshimoto (今川義元), Takeda Shingen (武田信玄), Uesugi Kenshin (上杉謙信), Hojo Soun (北条早雲), Oda Nobunaga (織田信長), Tokugawa Ieyasu (徳川家康), and Toyotomi Hideyoshi (豊臣秀吉). Their ultimate goal was to defeat their rivals and advance to Kyoto (京都) to establish themselves as the supreme political power.

Oda Nobunaga (織田信長) defeated Imagawa Yoshimoto in Okehazama (桶狭間)

Around 1560, Imagawa Yoshimoto (今川義元) controlled a significant part of Suruga (now Shizuoka Prefecture). See the map below for the location. He was a powerful Sengoku daimyo, strong enough to be the country’s top ruler.

The Imagawa clan decided to move their army to Kyoto to take control of the government. He took 25,000 men with him. On his way to Kyoto, they needed to pass through Owari (尾張: Aichi Prefecture today; see the location below), Oda Nobunaga’s territory.

Oda Nobunaga (織田信長) was a young man with far fewer resources than Imagawa Yoshimoto. It was clear that Oda Nobunaga had little chance of defeating Imagawa. He had just become the head of Owari after his father’s death. At that time, Nobunaga was called “the idiot of Owari” because of his eccentric behavior (although he was a genius).

Few people had trusted in Nobunaga. Among Od’s vassals, some insisted on staying inside the castle instead of going out to fight, since Nobunaga could only gather 3,000 men. But in the end, to everyone’s surprise, the Oda side won. Here is how it happened.

While Imagawa Yoshimoto was advancing, Nobunaga scouted which route Imagawa would take. Imagawa’s side was confident they would win this easy battle because the Oda clan was small, and the head of the clan was an idiot. The Imagawa troops decided to stop and rest at a place called Okehazama. The road passing through Okehazama was long and narrow. Knowing that Imagawa’s troops would come this way, Nobunaga sent out his men disguised as farmers and offered food and sake to the Imagawa soldiers. While they were having a good time, Oda Nobunaga launched a surprise attack on the Imagawa troops. On top of that, it suddenly began raining heavily. The rain was so intense that the Imagawa troops could not see the Oda troops approaching. Ultimately, Imagawa Yoshimoto was killed in battle by Oda forces. Afterward, the Imagawa clan declined.

59 Okehazama drawing

Bishu Okehazama Gassen (備州桶狭間合戦) by Utagawa Toyonobu (歌川豊信) Public Domain　(http://morimiya.net/online/ukiyoe-big-files/U896.html)

Oda Nobunaga(織田信長) and Akechi Mitsuhide(明智光秀)

After the Battle of Okehazama, the Oda clan rapidly expanded. Oda Nobunaga became the dominant power. During his rule, he carried out several brutal acts, such as burning the Enryaku-ji temple (延暦寺) and killing many people, including civilians, yet his economic policies encouraged commercial activities.

Things were going fairly smoothly for Nobunaga late in his life. However, in 1582, Nobunaga was killed by his top vassal, Akechi Mitsuhide (明智光秀), at the Hon’nou-ji (本能寺) temple in Kyoto. Nobunaga was 49 years old.

There are several theories about why Akechi attacked and killed Nobunaga, but we don’t know exactly what happened. One speculation is that Akechi held a grudge against Nobunaga. There were numerous incidents where Nobunaga mistreated him. Another theory suggests that Akechi saw an opportunity to attack Nobunaga (Nobunaga was with very few men that day), and he took the chance. Another one is that Shogun Ashikaga Yoshiaki (足利義昭) and his allies ordered Akechi to kill Nobunaga because Akechi had once worked for him. Shogun Yoshiaki was afraid Nobunaga would become too powerful. More theories exist. We don’t know the true reason; it is still debated today. It remains one of the big mysteries in Japanese history.

After this occurred, the news was sent to Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who was Akechi’s counterpart under Nobunaga. At that time, Hideyoshi was in Bicchu (備中, today’s Okayama Prefecture ), about 230 km (143 miles) from Kyoto (see the map below). Hideyoshi quickly returned to Kyoto with his troops to avenge his master against Akechi and killed him.

Here is another mystery. The time between Nobunaga’s death and Akechi’s death was only ten days. Hideyoshi was 230 km (143 miles) away, with mountains and rivers between them. This means that within 10 days, Hideyoshi received news of Nobunaga’s death, packed up, and hurried back 230 km (143 miles) to Kyoto with his large number of soldiers, and fought against Akechi and killed him. Their means of transportation at the time were limited. Although Hideyoshi maintained a constant communication channel with Nobunaga’s inner circle, his reaction was somewhat too rapid. There are also speculations that Akechi and Hideyoshi were both behind together(?) or that there was some other secret plot behind the incidents.

After Hideyoshi killed Akechi, he cleverly maneuvered his way to the top of power. While Hideyoshi was in charge, he mined enormous quantities of gold from the mines he owned. Records state that Hideyoshi buried a large amount of gold somewhere. However, it has not yet been found.

Hideyoshi was the son of a poor farmer who rose to become Japan’s most powerful man. His success story fascinates the Japanese people. Nobunaga, Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu are the most frequently depicted subjects in television shows and films. After Hideyoshi died of natural causes, Tokugawa Ieyasu became Shogun, and the Edo period began.

The reference source *Rekijin.com/?p=31448-キャッシュ *Bushoojapan.com/scandal/2019/06/02/51145-キャッシュ

June 17, 2019December 9, 2025 Yurie Endo 遠藤由利江 57| Muromachi Period History (室町時代), Uncategorized

54|Part 2 of — 20|Muromachi Period History (室町時代歴史)

This is a detailed section of Chapter 20, Muromachi Period History. Please read Chapter 20 before reading this part.

0-timeline - size 24 Nuromach & Sengoku

The red circleabove indicate the time we discuss in this chapter

Until the Muromachi (室町) period, the study of political history and sword history ran in parallel. The timelines above show that the middle line represents sword history, and the bottom line represents political history.

The styles of swords were distinctly different between the Muromachi and Sengoku periods (戦国時代). Therefore, for sword study, the Muromachi and Sengoku periods should be separated. Japanese history textbooks define the Muromachi period as 1393 (the end of the Nanboku-cho) to 1573, when Oda Nobunaga (織田信長) deposed Shogun Ashikaga Yoshiaki (足利義昭) from Kyoto (the fall of the Muromachi bakufu). In these textbooks, the Sengoku period is considered part of the Muromachi period. However, we need to distinguish between the Muromachi and Sengoku periods for the study of swords.

Ashikaga Yoshimitsu (足利義満)

The best period during the Muromachi era was when Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu (足利義満: grandson of Ashikaga Takauji) was in power. He moved the bakufu to Muromachi (室町) in Kyoto; therefore, this era is called the Muromachi period. By the time most of the South Dynasty’s samurai had surrendered to the North Dynasty, the South Dynasty had accepted Shogun Yoshimitsu’s offer to stop fighting against the North. This acceptance established the Ashikaga family’s power within the Muromachi Bakufu.

Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu generated tremendous profits from trade with China (Ming). He built a famous resort villa in Kyoto, the Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji Temple 金閣寺*). It is believed that he created the Golden Pavilion to display his power and wealth. The beautiful culture known as Kitayama Bunka (Kitayama culture 北山文化) flourished during this period.

*Golden Pavilion (金閣寺: Kinkaku-ji Temple) —– Its official name is Rokuon-ji Temple (鹿苑寺). Saionji Kintsune (西園寺公経) originally built it as his resort house during the Kamakura period. Shogun Yoshimitsu acquired it in 1397 and turned it into his villa. He also used it as an official guesthouse.

After Shogun Yoshimitsu’s death, the villa was converted into Rokuon-ji Temple. It is part of the Rinzaishu Sokoku-ji Temple, which served as the main temple of a Zen sect denomination, called the Rinzaishu Sokoku-ji group (臨済宗相国寺派). Kinkaku-ji is a reliquary hall that contains relics of the Buddha. Kinkaku-ji Temple represents the grand Kitayama Bunka (Kitayama culture). In 1994, it was designated a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. https://www.shokoku-ji.jp/kinkakuji/

57 Kinkakuji trip 2019 My photo May 2019,

Ashikaga Yoshimasa (足利義政)

After the death of Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu (足利義満), the Muromachi bakufu became less financially stable, and its military power declined. Consequently, the daimyo (feudal lords) increased their control. A few generations after Shogun Yoshimitsu, Ashikaga Yoshimasa, the eighth Shogun, took power. His wife was the well-known Hino Tomiko (see Hino Tomiko in Chapter 20, Muromachi Period History).

It is said that Shogun Yoshimasa was not interested in his role as shogun; instead, he was more interested in art and culture. He laid the foundation for today’s Japanese art and culture, including the Japanese garden, Shoin-zukuri (書院造) interior design, the tea ceremony, flower arrangements, painting, and other art forms. His cultural influence is known as Higashiyama Bunka (Higashiyama culture (東山文化).

As described in Chapter 20, Muromachi Period History (室町時代), Shogun Yoshimasa did not have any children. His brother Yoshimi (義視) was expected to become the next Shogun. However, his wife, Hino Tomiko, gave birth to a son, Yoshihisa (義尚). Hino Tomiko sought support from Yamana Sozen (山名宗全: a powerful family) to back her son. Meanwhile, the brother, Yoshimi, was connected with Hosokawa Katsumoto (細川勝元: another powerful family). The problem was that Shogun Yoshimasa paid too much attention to his cultural pursuits and failed to address the issue he created by not being clear about who should succeed him as Shogun. He did not hand over the shogunate to either party.

In 1467, in addition to the succession problem and conflicts of interest among powerful daimyo, a civil war, known as “Onin-no-run (応仁の乱),” broke out. All daimyo were divided, siding with either the Hosokawa or the Yamana factions. Eventually, the war spread throughout Japan and lasted more than 10 years. Finally, in 1477, after the deaths of Hosokawa Katsumoto and Yamana Sozen, Shogun Yoshimasa decided to transfer the shogunate to his son Yoshihisa. As a result of this war, Kyoto was devastated, and the power of the Muromachi Bakufu declined significantly.

While all this was happening and people were suffering, Yoshimasa continued to spend money on building the Ginkaku-ji Temple (銀閣寺: The Silver Pavilion). He died before seeing the completion of Ginkaku-ji Temple. The Onin-no-ran would lead to the next Sengoku period, a 100-year-long Warring States period.

*Shoin-zukuri (書院造)———- A traditional Japanese residential interior style with Tatami mats, a nook, and shoji screens (sliding doors). This style forms the basis for interior design in modern Japanese homes.

Shoin Zukuri style Japanese room

57 Shoin zukuri

Public Domain GFDL,cc-by-sa-2.5,2.0,1.0 file: Takagike CC BY-SA 3.0view terms File: Takagike Kashihara JPN 001.jpg

My Japanese room

May 26, 2018November 26, 2025 Yurie Endo 遠藤由利江 25 Sengoku Period Tanto, Uncategorized

24| Sengoku Period Tanto (戦国時代短刀)

0-timeline - size 24 Sengoku Period The red circle above indicates the time we discuss in this section

25 Chukanzori Tanto

Chukan-zori (中間反り) ————– The chukan-zori tanto features a straight mune (back). Its back does not curve either inward or outward.

Hamon (刃文: Tempered line) ————————————-Sanbon-sugi (三本杉), o-notare (大湾), yahazu-midare (矢筈乱), hako-midare (箱乱), gunome-choji (互の目丁子), chu-suguha (中直刃). See below.

24 Sannbon sugi,hako, yahazu, O-midare)

Horimono (彫り物: Carving) —————Often Hi (grooves) is curved

Tanto Length ————————— The standard tanto length should not exceed one shaku*¹ (about 12 inches, 30.5cm). The standard size tanto is called a Jo-sun tanto, which is roughly 8.5 shaku (about 10 inches, 25.7cm). Longer than jo-sun is called sun-nobi tanto (寸延). Shorter than jo-sun is called sun-zumari tanto (寸詰).

Sun-nobi Tanto > Jo-sun Tanto (approx. 10 inches) > Sun-zumari Tanto

**¹ Shaku is a traditional Japanese unit of length measurement.

Takenoko-zori jo-sun tanto (筍反定寸短刀)————– The takenoko-zori jo-sun tanto was made during the Sengoku period. It resembles swords made by Rai Kunimitsu of Yamashiro–den. (illustration below)

Hamon (刃文: Tempered line) ————– Hoso-suguha (細直刃: Narrow straight hamon). Katai-ha (illustration below) appears somewhere on the blade. Masame–hada (straight grain pattern) may be visible on the mune side.

13 Middle Kamakura Period Tanto 24 Suguha katai-ha

Ji-hada (地肌: The area between the shinogi and the tempered line)————– Some shirake (白け: a whitish surface) may sometimes appear. Some utsuri (a light, whitish, cloud-like effect) appears on the ji-hada.

Sun-nobi Tanto (寸延短刀)–————–This type of tanto resembles the sakizori tanto from the late Soshu-den period. You may see a hitatsura-type hamon. (illustration below). Unlike the Soshu-den style, the hitatsura pattern is more visible in the lower part of the tanto and less in the upper part.

25 Sun-Nobi Tanto 25 Hitatsura

Hirazukuri Takenokozori Sunzumari Tanto (平造筍反寸詰短刀)

This is a unique tanto from the Sengoku period. Hirazukuri means a flat-surfaced sword without a shinogi, yokote line, or obvious kissaki. Takenoko-zori refers to a bamboo shoot shape (the back of the sword curves inward). Sun-zumari indicates a blade shorter than 10 inches (less than 8.5 shaku or 25.7 cm). The lower part of the blade is wide and thick, while the tip is narrow and thin. It has a piercing, sharp appearance.

Horimono (彫物: Engraving) ————- Deeply carved ken-maki ryu (a dragon wrapped around a spear).

Hamon (刃文: Tempered line)——— Wide tempered line, with a nioi base. Irregular hamon, with wide suguha (straight), and chu-suguha (medium straight). The hamon in the boshi area curves back deeply.

Ji-hada (地肌)———– fine ji-gane and wood burl pattern.

Moroha-tanto (諸刃短刀: Double-edged sword)

A double-edged sword with a hamon on both cutting edges. Often, Bonji (Sanskrit) is curved.

Hamon (刃文: Tempered line) ——— Wide tempered line. Nioi base. Irregular hamon, wide suguha (straight tempered line), and chu-suguha (medium straight tempered line). The hamon turns back deeply.
Ji-hada (地肌: The area between the shinogi and the tempered line)——- Fine ji-gane and wood burl pattern.

25-moroha-tanto1 Moroha Tanto

The Swordsmith for Tanto during the Sengoku Period

The Bizen swords from the Sengoku period are called sue-bizen. Sue is pronounced “su” and “e“ as in egg. Bizen Osafune Yoso-Zaemon Sukesada (与三左衛門祐定) is the most famous swordsmith of the Sengoku period. He also forged tantos. One thing to note is that many swordsmiths had the name Sukesada. Yoso-Zaemon Sukesada is the one who best represents the era.

April 28, 2018November 25, 2025 Yurie Endo 遠藤由利江 23 | Sengoku Period, Uncategorized

22| Sengoku Period History (戦国時代歴史)

0-timeline - size 24 Sengoku Period 0

The red circle above indicates the time we discuss in this section

The timeline above shows two circles. In political history, the Sengoku period (戦国時代) is part of the Muromachi period (室町), which is the lower circle. However, in sword history, we separate the Muromachi and Sengoku periods (Warring States period), the top circle. In sword history, we divide the time this way because, during those two periods, sword styles changed, and the environment of sword-making also changed.

After the Onin-no-ran (応仁の乱) began (discussed in 20|Muromachi Period History), the beautiful capital city of Kyoto (京都) was in a devastated condition. The shogun’s (将軍) power reached only over a small area. The rest of the country was divided into about thirty small independent states. The leaders of these independent states were called shugo daimyo (守護大名). They were originally government officials who were appointed and sent there by the central government.

Powerful local samurai often became the leaders of these states. They fought against each other to take over each other’s land. During the Sengoku period, vassals would kill their lords and steal their domains, or farmers would revolt against their lords. A state like this is called “gekoku-jo” (lower-class samurai overthrow the superior).　

This was the time of the Warring States, known as the Sengoku period. The leader of each state was called a Sengoku daimyo (戦国大名: Warlord). The Sengoku period lasted about 100 years. Gradually, powerful states defeated weaker ones through long, fierce battles, expanding their territory. Around thirty small countries became twenty, then ten, and so on. Eventually, only a few dominant sengoku daimyo (warlords) remained. Each daimyo from those states fought their way to Kyoto and tried to become the top ruler of Japan. The first one who almost succeeded was Oda Nobunaga (織田信長). However, he was killed by his vassal, Akechi Mitsuhide (明智光秀), and soon Akechi was killed by his colleague, Toyotomi Hideyoshi (豊臣秀吉).　　

After Toyotomi Hideyoshi defeated Akechi Mitsuhide, his troops, and other major warlords, he nearly completed the unification of Japan. Yet, Hideyoshi still had one more rival to deal with to finish his goal. That was Tokugawa Iyeyasu (徳川家康). Now, Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu are the last contenders for the top position. Both recognized that their opponents were smart and capable. Any wrong move could be disastrous. Therefore, they decided to maintain a friendly coexistence on the surface for the time being. Although Toyotomi Hideyoshi tried to make Tokugawa Ieyasu his vassal, Tokugawa Ieyasu somehow managed to avoid that. In Tokugawa Ieyasu’s mind, being younger than Toyotomi Hideyoshi, he knew he could simply wait until Hideyoshi‘s natural death, which eventually happened.

After Hideyoshi’s death, Tokugawa Ieyasu fought Hideyoshi’s vassals and won at the Battle of Sekigahara (関ヶ原の戦い) in 1600. Then, in 1615, at the Battle of the Osaka Natsu-no-jin (Osaka Summer Campaign: 大阪夏の陣), Tokugawa defeated Hideyoshi’s son’s army. Following this, the Toyotomi clan was dissolved entirely, and the Edo (江戸) period began. It is called the Edo period because Tokugawa Ieyasu lived in Edo, which is now Tokyo (東京).

*The Sengoku period is frequently depicted in TV dramas and movies. People who lived through that era had a tough time, but it was also the most exciting time for creating TV shows and films. The lives of Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu are among the most popular stories in Japan. In particular, the story of Toyotomi Hideyoshi is among the most popular. His background was that of a poor farmer, but he rose to become the top ruler of Japan. That is a fascinating success story.

23 Toyotomi_hideyoshi

Portrait of Toyotomi Hideyoshi (豊臣秀吉) by Kano Mitsunobu, owned by Kodai-Ji Temple From Wikimedia Commons, the free media repositon.