Japanese Sword

Timeline

1. 1351–1353Yoshino · KinkiSouthern Court samurai repeatedly clashed with Northern Court forces in the Yoshino mountains, using tachi with blades over three shaku long and paired wakizashi. Smiths repeatedly folded tamahagane to form the hamon and a hard edge, suited to mounted slashing and foot combat.
2. 1354–1357Ōnofune, Bizen Province · Chūgoku regionŌnofune smiths were renowned for their solid blade quality, supplying swords to the Ashikaga house and various daimyō. Inscriptions of this period often bore place names such as 'Bishū Ōnofune', and fittings (koshirae) were plain and combat-oriented, with scabbards and hilt wrappings suited to prolonged campaigning.
3. 1358–1360Muromachi Gosho, Kyoto · KinkiAfter Ashikaga Takauji became sei-i taishōgun, famous swords became symbols of shogunal authority. The imperial palace collected Tang swords and famous domestic blades, and bestowed them on meritorious retainers to consolidate warrior-household order. Sword connoisseurship and appreciation customs became increasingly institutionalized among the samurai class.