are considered by many to be the epitome of Japanese identity. As in all countries around the world, swords and other bladed weapons have existed in Japan virtually since the dawn of mankind.
The swords of antiquity were mainly imported. Mostly from China, because it was the most advanced country in the region, or from Korea, because these countries have always been in close contact with each other.
Antique swords from Japan - Jokoto
Jokoto are also genuine, antique swords from Japan. Although they receive little attention in the West today. They were common weapons before the age of the samurai. They are straight, short swords. They were mainly used as stabbing weapons and were made of bronze in ancient times.
The first ancient Japanese samurai swords - Koto
Around the beginning of the 10th century, the samurai gained more influence in Japan and finally seized power. The swords chosen for the samurai's extensive range of weapons at the time were those that reflected the latest trends and technical possibilities. Of course, the era no longer falls within the ancient world, but the swords are now traded as Japanese antiques.
They were single-edged, curved swords. As samurai usually fought on horseback in those days, they were swords with long, massive blades. The legendary samurai sword was born.
The first samurai swords were not yet antique katana, they were tachi. In addition to the features just mentioned, this means that the swords were worn on the belt with the cutting edge pointing downwards.
These early samurai swords are now known as koto. However, the Koto sword era extends into the early 17th century.
The real Katana from Japan - Shinto
A newer form of samurai sword is called a katana. Japanese katana are worn on the belt with the cutting edge pointing upwards and have a comparatively short blade of around 70cm.
These properties allow the swords to be drawn very quickly. The perfect drawing of the sword has its own place in the Japanese martial arts as a separate discipline (Iaido).
The Japanese katana was developed as early as the 14th century, during the Koto sword era. However, they experienced their heyday from the early 17th century, a time known as the Edo period in Japan. Antique katana and antique wakizashi date from this period, before that there were mainly antique tachi.
The swords became so popular that they almost completely replaced the older tachi.
More information about the individual sword eras and real samurai swords in our Article about real Katana - Nihonto
The Renaissance phase for antique katana - Shin Shinto
At the end of the Shinto sword era, it became fashionable for the design of swords to be modelled on the designs of the early Koto era.
The heyday of the samurai was revived. Antique katana were often created from a mix of old and new.
The swords of this period are called Shinshinto.
The modern era - Gendaito
The Shinto and Shinshinto eras are followed by the period known as Gendaito. This period extends from the end of the 19th century.
Japanese swords today
Japanese master blacksmiths are still forging genuine katana today. These are of very good quality and some blades from today's blacksmiths are already being traded at high prices. A typical example of such high-priced swords produced today are the works of Yoshindo Yoshihara, whose family has been forging blades since the 12th century.
From time to time we offer such genuine Japanese katana in our online shop in the category for modern Nihonto. Antique katana originate from a blacksmithing tradition that can only be maintained if the current master blacksmiths in Japan receive new orders. That is why you can also order newly made shinsakuto from us. You are welcome to contact us in this regard.
You can find historical and antique Japanese swords from ancient times in our online shop for swords in the category Nihonto Antique.
You can find an example of such a beautiful sword here. You can find antique katana like this in our online shop:
Image source for the featured image: By Kakidai - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=73191498
