Chapter 60 is a detailed part of Chapter 26, Overview of Shinto (新刀概要). Please read Chapter 26 before reading this section.
The red circle above indicates the time we discuss in this section
The difficulty of Shin-to Kantei
Regarding swords from the ko-to period, you can estimate when they were made by analyzing their style and shape. Several factors indicate which period and which Gokaden (五ヶ伝) created the sword by examining several points, such as the appearance of the hamon or the appearance of the ji-gane. However, swords from the shin-to period do not follow this method.
Although there are differences among shin-to swords made during the early Edo period, around the Keicho (慶長: 1596 ~) era, the middle Edo period, that is around the Kanbun (寛文: 1661 ~) era, and the late Edo period, that is the Genroku era (元禄: 1688 ~), these differences are not much.
The same applies to the Gokaden (五ヶ伝) during the shin-to period. In the ko-to time, Bizen swordsmiths forged swords with Bizen characteristics. Swords made by Yamato swordsmiths usually showed the Yamato-den features. However, during the shin-to period, a swordsmith from one specific den sometimes forged blades in the style of another den’s features. As a result, it is difficult to determine the maker of a particular sword.
For shin-to, we will study the characteristics of the seven main locations, which will be discussed in the following chapters.
Picturesque Hamon
During and after the Genroku era (元禄1688 – 1704), some picturesque hamon style became trendy. Several swordsmiths created picturesque hamon on wakizashi and short swords. As it gained popularity, especially among foreigners, most of these swords were exported from Japan during the Meiji Restoration. Today, very few remain in Japan.
The swordsmiths who made picturesque Hamon
Yamashiro (山城) area ———————————-Iga-no-kami Kinmichi (伊賀守金道), Omi-no-kami Hisamichi (近江守久道)
Settsu (摂津) area ———————————Tanba-no-Kami Yoshimichi (丹波守吉道) Yamato-no-Kami Yoshimichi (大和守吉道)
Below are examples. Fuji is the Mount Fuji design. Kikusui is a chrysanthemum in the water.
The red circle indicates the time we discuss in this section
The later part of the Edo period is called Bakumatsu. See the circled area on the timeline above. Swords made during this time are called shin shin-to. They are also called Fukko-to (復古刀: revived sword). Fukko-to replicates the shape, hamon, boshi, and other features of the Ko-to and Shin-to swords. The characteristics of the Shin Shin-to (新々刀) and well-known swordsmiths are listed below.
The Characteristics of Shin Shin-to
Katana, wakizashi, and tanto all tend to resemble or imitate the ko-to and shin-to in shape.
Many swords often have a Hi or detailed engravings.
One swordsmith would create multiple sword styles, such as Soshu-den, Bizen-den, and Shin-to style.
Often shows Katai-ha.
Katai-ha
Weak (not tight) Nioi.
Yakidashi (2 to 3 inches above machi) is often suguha(straight line hamon), even though the rest of the area has irregular Boshi is often irregular midare.
Detailed engravings are more realistic than those from earlier times.
Well-known swordsmiths of Shin Shin-to
Settsu (Osaka area) ——————Gassan Sadayoshi (月山貞吉), Gassan Sadakazu (月山貞一). The Gassan family is known for their detailed carvings.
Musashi no Kuni (Tokyo area) ————-Suishinshi Masahide (水心子正秀), Minamoto Kiyomaro (源 清麿), Taikei Naotane (大慶直胤),Taikei Yoshitane (大慶義胤). Yoshitane is well-known for his carvings.
Minamoto Kiyomaro(源清麿) Once my family possession
Tosa (四国: Shikoku area) ———————————————- Sa Yukihide (左行秀)
Right before the Meiji Restoration, long swords (about 3 feet) without any curvature were made. Sa Yukihide (from the Tosa area) forged this type of sword. Saigo Takamori (西郷隆盛) and Sakamoto Ryoma (坂本龍馬) owned such swords. Both are well-known historical figures from the Meiji Restoration. Both were part of the Kin’no-to (勤皇党) group, which supported the emperor and reformed the political system.
The red circle indicates the subject of this chapter
3．Musashi ( 武蔵 ) in Edo ( 江戸 )
The katana and wakizashi made in the Musashi area have a shallow sori (curvature). Often, the width of the blade’s upper part is narrow. Usually, the hamon begins with a slight irregular pattern, then gradually shifts to a larger irregular pattern, and a few inches below the yokote line, it becomes a small irregular pattern again. The boshi is usually a komaru-boshi. The ji-hada may be rough.Masame-hada shows on shinogi-ji.
Nagasone Okisato Nyudo Kotetsu Noda Hankei (野田繫慶) (長曽根興里入道虎徹) from Compton’s collection “Nippon-to” Once, my family sword
4. Echizen ( 越前 ) and 5. Kaga (加賀 )
Many swordsmiths from the Mino (美濃) area moved to the Echizen and Kaga areas (#4 & #5 on the map above). Therefore, swords made in these areas are called Echizen-seki and Kaga-seki. Refer to Chapter 23 Sengoku Period (戦国) Sword for Mino-den. The style of Echizen Yasutsugu (越前康継) is similar to that of Mino-den.
Well-known swordsmith in Echizen ————————-—Echizen Yasutsugu (越前康継 )
6. Hizen (肥前)
Both the katana and wakizashi from Hizen have well-balanced shapes. The Hizen region tends to produce swords with a chu-suguha-hotsure (a medium-width straight hamon resembling frayed fabric) with fine nie (沸). The boshi has a clean, regular line with a uniform width tempered line, as shown in the illustration below. If you see a shin-to sword that has a chu-suguha hamon and a boshi that looks like the one below, it is often made by Hizen Tadayoshi (肥前忠吉). Very fine Ji-hada (surface), sometimes called nukame-hada.
Well-known swordsmith in Hizen ——————————— Hizen Tadayoshi ( 肥前忠吉)
Satsuma (薩摩 )
The swords made in Satsuma appear solid for both katana and wakizashi. The kissaki (the top pointed area) is slightly stretched. Yakidashi (a few inches above the machi ) shows a small, irregular hamon. The hamon is o-midare with coarse nie called ara-nie. The ara-nie forms togari-ba (a pointed pattern; see the drawing below). One of the characteristics of this region.
The region is well known for its Satsuma-nie. That is, the ara-nie around the hamon continues and blends into the ji-hada area. Therefore, the border between ha-nie and ji-nie is unclear. Inside the hamon, it sometimes shows a thick line shaped like lightning. This line is called Satsuma-no-imozuru (sweet potato vine), and is less desirable than inazume and kinsiji. This is the most prominent feature of the Satsuma sword. Boshi has a narrow-tempered line with a small irregular pattern. This is called satsuma-boshi. On the ji-hada surface, chikei (a long, dark line) appears. This is called Satsuma-gane (薩摩金).
The circle indicates the subject discuss in this section
The previous chapter 25 stated that the Edo period lasted from 1603 to 1868. This is for political history. The third timeline above shows that the Momoyama period overlaps with the Edo period. Some people believe the Momoyama period was from 1573 to 1600. In general history, there are several opinions on how to divide these transitional periods. For sword history, it is straightforward. Swords made between approximately 1596 (慶長: Keicho era) and 1781 (天明: Tenmei era) are called shin-to. Swords made between the Tenmei and Meiji eras are referred to as shin-to.
After Toyotomi Hideyoshi nearly unified the country, the people could enjoy a period of peace. This period of peace shifted the geographic distribution of swordsmiths. There were three main regions where sword forging took place. These areas include Kyoto, Osaka, and Edo (Tokyo now). The remaining swordsmiths gathered near the castles of major daimyo (大名: feudal lords).
Kyoto—- The Umetada Myoju (梅忠明寿) group thrived, followed by swordsmiths such as Horikawa Kunihiro (堀川国広), Kunimichi (国路), Kunisada (国貞), and Kunisuke (国助).
Osaka——–– Osaka was established as a commercial city and became the center of commerce. It produced swords and distributed them to other regions across the country. The well-known swordsmiths in Osaka: Tsuda Sukehiro (津田助広) and Inoue Shinkai (井上真改).
Edo————-Many swordsmiths gathered in Edo (江, now Tokyo), where Shogun Tokugawa Iyeyasu lived. The well-known swordsmiths in Edo: Nagasone Kotetsu (長曽祢虎徹), Yasutsugu (康継), Noda Hannkei (野田繁慶).
By the time TokugawaIyeyasu’s grandson, Tokugawa Iyemitsu, became shogun (寛永：Kan’ei era 1624 – 1643), swordsmiths had spread beyond the three areas mentioned above. In each daimyo territory, swordsmiths operated shops near the castles to meet the needs of the daimyo and their subjects. By the Genroku era (元禄: 1695), sword-making had declined, and people preferred more picturesque hamon designs, such as kikusui (菊水: flower design) and fujimi (富士見: Mount Fuji).
Fujimi Kikusui
Difference between Koto and Shinto
The following section describes the differences between Ko-to and Shin-to. However, remember that there are always exceptions to these rules.
The length of the shin-tokatana is typically about two feet three inches ± a little. The wakizashi is about one foot six inches. Shallow curvature. Wide width. Thick body. Gyo-no-mune. Chu-gissaki with a slightly stretched appearance.
The ko-to sword feels light, while the shin-to feels heavy.
The bottom of the hi is rounded above the machi. Shin-to’s bo-hiends slightly below the yokote line.
Generally, carvings are less common on shin-to. However, some swordsmiths are famous for their carvings. The designs are refined and detailed. Umetada Myoju (埋忠明寿) is well-known for his carvings.
For shin-to, if it is mainly nie, it is usually a coarse nie.
In the machi area, the hamon begins with a straight tempered line (the bottom part of the blade shown in the illustration below), followed by midare, or various types of hamon in the middle, and ends with suguha (straight hamon) in the boshi area (the top part). Generally, this is the standard Hamon style of shin-to, but there are always exceptions.
For shin-to, the type of iron used for the blade is consistent throughout Japan. A few variations of iron were used across Japan, with a very hard, dark color and a glossy look.
The nakago has a well-balanced shape. The bottom of the nakagotapers gradually. The type of yasuri-me (file mark) is often a kesho-yasuri. Engraved inscriptions display the swordsmith’s name, location, province, and year of creation.
The red circle above indicates the time we discuss in this section
The Muromachi period was a relatively peaceful and prosperous time until shortly before the “Onin-no-ran,” which occurred at the end of the Muromachi period. Refer to Chapter 20, Muromachi Period History (室町時代歴史). The Nanboku-cho style long swords became outdated; as a result, they were shortened. The shortened blade is called suriage. Overall, the Muromachi period was a declining time for sword-making.
Tachi and Katana
Until the end of the Nanboku-cho period or the beginning of the Muromachi period, samurai wore swords suspended from their waists with the blade facing down. When a sword was worn this way, the swordsmith inscribed his name on the side facing outward, meaning the blade is on your right when you see the inscription. In this case, the sword is called a tachi.
During the Muromachi period, a sword was worn between the belt, with the blade facing up. The swordsmith inscribed his name so that it faced outward when it was worn. Therefore, when you see the inscription, the cutting edge is to your left. This is classified as a katana.
Around the beginning of the Muromachi period, samurai started to wear a pair of swords called dai-sho (大小), meaning large and small. The longer sword is a katana, and the shorter one is a wakizashi. In general, a tachi is longer than a katana. A katana is longer than a wakizashi, and a wakizashi is longer than a tanto. Here is the order of their lengths.
Tachi > Katana > Wakizashi > Tanto Tachi and katana differ in how they are worn, not in length.
O-suriage ( 大磨上: Katana shortened by great length)
How much the sword should be shortened depends on its original length and how much the owner wants it shortened. O-suriage is a type of sword that is significantly shortened. Once the blade is shortened by that length, the inscription of the maker’s name is cut off. When the Hon’ami family (本阿弥家, a family of sword connoisseurs who have appraised Japanese swords for generations from the Muromachi period to today) appraises such a suriage sword, they write the make of the sword and the swordsmith’s name on the front side of the hilt, and the connoisseur’s name with his kaou (similar to a signature) on the back. There are several levels of writing. The level at which it should be done depends on the sword’s quality and the owner’s preference. Below is the order of levels (high to low).
Shu-Mei (朱明 )————————————————————-name written in Vermilion Kinpun-Mei (金粉名 )———————————————–name lacquered in gold powder Gin-Zougan (銀象嵌 )————————————————————name inlaid in silver Kin-Zougan (金象嵌 )————————————————————-name inlaid in gold
Sugata (姿: Shape) ——— The average length is typically two feet three to four inches (68~71cm). The shape of the Muromachi period katana is somewhat similar to that of the Heian period tachi. However, Muromachi katana are less grand or graceful than those from the Heian period swords. The curvature is usually of the koshizori style. Koshizori refers to the highest curvature being near the lower part of the blade. The length and shape are suitable for wearing between the body and the belt. The width and thickness are well-balanced with the size of the sword. Small kissaki.
Hirazukuri-Wakizashi ———– Hirazukuri refers to a flat surface without a shinogi or yokote line. Usually, it is 1 foot and 1 to 2 inches long. No curvature. Hirazukuri-wakizashi appeared during the Muromachi period.
Hamon (刃文: tempered line) ———————- Nioi base. The tempered area is well balanced with the blade’s width. Koshi-hiraita-midare is mixed with choji-midare.
from Sano Museum Catalogue (permission granted)
Boshi (Tempered line at Kissaki area) ————– Midare-komi, a short turn back. See the above illustration. Midare is an irregular wave-like pattern.
Ji-hada (地肌: An area between the tempered line and Shinogi)- Soft look, a large wood grain pattern, Ji-utsuri (faint smoke or cloud-like effect) shows.
Horimono (彫物：Engravings) ———-Bo-hi (single groove), Soe-hi (a thin groove alongside the main hi), Futasuji-hi (double narrow groove), Sanskrit, Tokko-tsuki ken, Tsume-tsuki Ken, name of God, and dragon. Carvings became elaborate.
Sword Smiths during Muromachi Period
Bizen Den ——–Osafune Morimitsu (長船盛光), Yasumitsu (康光), Moromitsu (師光)
Let’s look at the diagram below. At the beginning of each chapter, a timeline like the one below will be shown. It will serve as a useful reference for determining which period is being discussed.
From the Jomon period to the Nara period, (the short top line) is the period we call the Joko-to period in the history of Japanese swords. The term “Japanese sword” as we use it today refers to swords made after the Heian period (平安 794-1185). Usually, Joko-to falls under the category of archaeological study. In the next chapter, we will discuss Joko-to. The bottom timeline, with short descriptions below, is the one we see in Japan’s general history books. The middle timeline is more specific to the study of swords. My discussion will follow the middle timeline. A timeline diagram will appear at the beginning of each chapter for easy reference. The swords discussed in this book are grouped based on their shape, style, and the trends of their era.
The difference between Tachi (太刀), Katana (刀), Wakizashi (脇差), Tanto (短刀)
Swords made before the Muromachi period (before 1392) are called tachi (太刀). Swords made after the Muromachi (室町) period are referred to as katana (刀) and wakizashi (脇差). Katana and wakizashi were worn together. A tanto is a short dagger. Tantos have been made throughout history. The difference between a tachi and a katana is how they are worn. A tachi was suspended from the waist belt, with the blade facing down. The katana and wakizashi (called daisho, 大小, meaning “large and small”) were worn together between the belt and the body, with the blade side up. Usually, a tachi is longer than a katana. A wakizashi is shorter than a katana. The tanto is the shortest. When facing the swordsmith’s inscribed name, if the blade is on the right, that is a tachi. When facing the swordsmith’s inscribed name, if the blade is on the left, that indicates a katana or a wakizashi.
Ko-to are swords made between the Heian period (794-1192) and the beginning of the Keicho Era (1596-1614). Shin-to are swords made between the Keicho Era (1596-1614) and the Tenmei Era (1781-1789). Shin shin-to are swords created during the Bakumatsu period (幕末期 1781-1868). Gendai-to covers the period from the Meiji Restoration (明治1868) to the present day. Although the names of eras or periods changed overnight due to political or dynastic shifts throughout history, the changes in sword style were always gradual. In general history, the Bakumatsu period is simply the last part of the Edo period. However, for sword classification, it is from around the Tenmei era (天明 1781) to the beginning of the Meiji period (1868).
Study of Japanese Sword 