The oldest swords on record in Japan were known to be gifts to Queen Himiko of Wa from China in 240 A.D. This occurred during the Wei dynasty. Approximately 40 years later more iron swords were imported to Japan from China.
It wasn’t till the 600’s that Japan was known to manufacture their own swords. The process was most likely obtained from Chinese, and Korean immigrants, however the details remain a mystery. The first swords Japan manufactured were called chokuto. Unlike the Japanese katana which was made later in history, these swords were straight, and single edged.
Later in the 700’s Japanese sword-smiths created a unique method of hardening steel. This method, which was mastered by the sword-smiths, became a major trademark in future Japanese swords.
During the Heian Era Japanese sword-smiths created a new method of forging a sword with a soft, light core, but a hard strong outer surface. This time is known as the tachi era, where it became customary for a sword-smith to sign the blades they made. The oldest tachi with a name and date was made by Namihira Yukimasa in 1159 A.D.
It wasn’t until the 8th century that straight swords were abandoned in Japan, as a new design of curved blades were created. This was due to the change in combat in Japan at that time. Predominant Japanese warfare changed from fighting with foot-soldiers to fighting on horseback. These curved blades made it easier for horseback riders to draw their swords. The long, single bladed, and curved swords were categories as tachi. There were many forms of swords between the chokuto and the tachi, the most common one being the kogarasumaru (a double edged, curved sword).
During the Kamakura Era, which came after the Henian Era, Japanese sword smiths gathered in the new cultural capital, Kamakura. This caused the Japanese sword to be more flamboyant and common, partially because of the newfound class of samurai. The Kamakura Era is often referred to as the golden age of Nihon-to (Japanese Sword). The average Kamakura sword was wider than before with a sliding width difference in the blade from the bottom to the Kissaki (point). Later in the Late Kamakura Era two Mongol invasions occurred, which were ordered by the legendary Kublai Khan. When battling with the Mongols many weaknesses in the tachi were revealed. These battle experiences with the Mongols led to changes of design in future swords.
The Nanbokucho Era was important in the development in the Nihon-to. As more wars were fought in Japan, the need for swords spiked. This also created a need for more foot-soilders. Ultimately a long, two-handed, double edged sword was created. This sword called the nodachi, could be used by foot soldiers to deliver deadly blows. The blade could be up to 120-150 cm long. Other swords did exist that were over 2 meters long, however these were ceremonial. Later the nodachi was shortened and used as a katana (one handed).
The Muromachi Era (1394-1595) greatly influenced the Nihon-to. This era was filled with wars, and can be separated into three major periods: Early Muromachi Period, Mid Muromachi Period, and Late Muromachi Period.
As the need for soldiers grew, mounted soldiers became extremely rare, and most army forces consisted of horseback soldiers. While tachi were still produced, the era of katanas was starting. As horse-back soldiers were not very common on the battlefield, Nihon-to were changed in design to fit foot soldiers. Unlike the old straight tachi, meant for foot soldiers, this katana-type sword had its center of curvature moved forward. It also was shortened from the old nodachi. The average katana was about 69-72 cm in length. By the end of the Early Muromachi period almost all the swords produced were uchigatana/katanas.
During the Mid Muromachi period Nihon-to were made even shorter to increase the mobility of armies. This period was when the katana was at its prime. The katana was a short sword with its cutting edge facing upwards. This allowed the soldiers to draw the sword and cut with a single motion. During this period 100,000 swords were exported to the Ming dynasty of China. The high demand for swords meant that they could not be made in the same high standards as before. The term kazuuchi was used to separate high-quality swords from mass-produced swords.
The Late Muromachi period changed the face of Japanese warfare forever. In 1543 A.D the Portuguese introduced firearms to Japan. This caused a revolution in warfare. Even if these firearms were inaccurate and took a long time to load, Oda Nobunaga, a powerful Daimyo used them very effectively. On the Battle of Nagashino in 1573 A.D the mounted troops of the Takeda Clan were quickly annihilated by a group of gunmen. Mounted troops were left powerless. This made armor thicker, and heavier to protect from enemy bullets. Blades were made longer and heavier to cope with the heavy armor. When Oda Nobunaga was succeeded by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the country was unified and the long period of war ended as a period of peace started.
The Tokugawa Era or Edo Period allowed sword-smiths to exchange materials and knowledge easier, however swords were not produced as often as before. After Toyotomi Hideyoshi, Tokugawa Ieyasu created a system of government that lasted hundreds of years. This system provided peace, and the production of swords were lowered. This was due to the fact that only the samurai class were allowed to own swords, while for other classes it was forbidden. Many samurai were less active and used their skills to open martial art schools. The difference between swords before, and at that time were so large that people would talk of “new” and “old” swords.
When the Tokugawa fell, Emperor Meiji took the power. This began a time period of modernization, known as the Meji-restoration. The Haitorei Edict deprived Samurai from their old rights, including their right to carry daishõ, the pair of swords that was the sign of their social class. With sword demands low, sword-smiths had to find a new source of income. The sword market took a even bigger blow, when the Americans banned sword-manufacturing. The art of the Nihon-to was almost extinct. In 1953 A.D sword-manufacturing became legal again, which created a chance of revival of the Japanese art. Luckily a few old masters remained who could teach the younger generation. Till now there are about 250 working sword-smiths remaining. Even the finest of swords are still being produced today.
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