Trending...
- 'Public Speaking Without Panic' Launches to Help Leaders Speak with Confidence
- Top Dentist Concord CA, Smile Makers Dental Care, Celebrates 500 5-Star Reviews
- Valley Sleep Therapy Expands to Prescott with New Location at Crossings Road
ANN ARBOR, Mich. - Michimich -- Do you have an interest in Japanese swordsmanship?
Is the katana the only Japanese sword you've heard of?
Sensei Paul Martin gave us a detailed history of Japanese swords in volume 20, issue 3 of the "SMAA Journal." Here's a brief overview from that article:
It is thought that the shift from straight blades to Japanese swords with curvature happened around the mid to late Heian period (794-1184). This was during the mid-10th century: about the time Taira Masakado and Fujiwara Sumitomo rebelled against the government in the Johei (931-938) and Tengyo (938-947) eras.
LATE HEIAN TO EARLY KAMAKURA
From the late Heian period and the early Kamakura period (1185-1333) we can see the Japanese sword as we know it today: shinogi-zukuri (ridgeline) construction, with a wide base, narrowing acutely towards the small point section (ko-kissaki). They are quite slender blades with the curvature concentrated between the handle and base. This shape is called koshi-zori. From midway towards the point there is very little curvature. These blades are usually around 2.5-6 shaku in length (75.8 cm-78.8 cm).
More on Michimich.com
MEIJI ONWARDS
Blades made from the ninth year of Meiji (1868-1912) until present day are referred to as gendaito (modern swords). As of the Hatorei decree in 1876 (banning civilians from wearing swords), the need for swords declined. However, in Meiji 39 (1906), the craft gained imperial patronage. The sword smiths Gassan Sadakazu and Miyamoto Kanenori were appointed Tei Shitsu Gi Gei In (craftsmen by imperial appointment—equivalent to National Living Treasure). Since then, the sword smith's craft has continued through the Meiji, Taisho (1912-1926), Showa (1926-1989), and Heisei (1989-) eras until today. Today's sword smiths try to recreate the workmanship of eminent smiths of every period.
Read the full article on our website: https://www.smaa-hq.com/articles/article/martial-arts-association-history-of-the-japanese-sword
More on Michimich.com
SMAA is Your 2024 Martial Arts Association
SMAA offers five divisions of authentic Japanese martial arts: aikido, iaido, judo, jujutsu, and karate-do. If you're looking for a new martial arts association to kickstart the new year, give us a call at (734) 720-0330 or submit a contact form here. We look forward to helping you develop your art!
About Shudokan Martial Arts Association: SMAA was founded in January 1994 by a group of martial artists concerned with promoting and safeguarding Nihon budo and koryu bujutsu—the traditional martial arts and ways of Japan. SMAA is a non-profit that aims keep the spirit of traditional budo alive in the West. Anyone can become a member, even if you aren't a martial artist, and SMAA members are from multiple countries across the globe. For more information, visit https://www.smaa-hq.com/about
Is the katana the only Japanese sword you've heard of?
Sensei Paul Martin gave us a detailed history of Japanese swords in volume 20, issue 3 of the "SMAA Journal." Here's a brief overview from that article:
It is thought that the shift from straight blades to Japanese swords with curvature happened around the mid to late Heian period (794-1184). This was during the mid-10th century: about the time Taira Masakado and Fujiwara Sumitomo rebelled against the government in the Johei (931-938) and Tengyo (938-947) eras.
LATE HEIAN TO EARLY KAMAKURA
From the late Heian period and the early Kamakura period (1185-1333) we can see the Japanese sword as we know it today: shinogi-zukuri (ridgeline) construction, with a wide base, narrowing acutely towards the small point section (ko-kissaki). They are quite slender blades with the curvature concentrated between the handle and base. This shape is called koshi-zori. From midway towards the point there is very little curvature. These blades are usually around 2.5-6 shaku in length (75.8 cm-78.8 cm).
More on Michimich.com
- Real Estate Experts Highlight Jersey Shore as a Smart Buy in 2025
- Top 5 Mistakes Entrepreneurs Make When Applying for SBA Loans
- Michigan Computer Supplies Expands Reach into Livingston County with New Brighton Service Offerings
- $18 Price Target Issued in New Research Report After $34 Million Revenue Forecast from Acquisition; $101.5 Million Net Revenue in 2025; NAS DAQ: IQST
- West Dentistry Welcomes New Oral Surgeon to Enhance Patient Care
MEIJI ONWARDS
Blades made from the ninth year of Meiji (1868-1912) until present day are referred to as gendaito (modern swords). As of the Hatorei decree in 1876 (banning civilians from wearing swords), the need for swords declined. However, in Meiji 39 (1906), the craft gained imperial patronage. The sword smiths Gassan Sadakazu and Miyamoto Kanenori were appointed Tei Shitsu Gi Gei In (craftsmen by imperial appointment—equivalent to National Living Treasure). Since then, the sword smith's craft has continued through the Meiji, Taisho (1912-1926), Showa (1926-1989), and Heisei (1989-) eras until today. Today's sword smiths try to recreate the workmanship of eminent smiths of every period.
Read the full article on our website: https://www.smaa-hq.com/articles/article/martial-arts-association-history-of-the-japanese-sword
More on Michimich.com
- Delta Industrial Provides Custom Flatwork for Factory Floors
- American Plastic Solutions Launches FAQ to Provide Tailored Plastic Fabrication Solutions
- AdviCoach of Southeast Michigan Helps Business Owners at Every Stage
- The AML Shop Launches New Financial Investigations Unit, Appoints Director to Lead the Initiative
- Raidium révolutionne le diagnostic de la Sclérose en Plaques en partenariat avec l'Hôpital Fondation Adolphe de Rothschild
SMAA is Your 2024 Martial Arts Association
SMAA offers five divisions of authentic Japanese martial arts: aikido, iaido, judo, jujutsu, and karate-do. If you're looking for a new martial arts association to kickstart the new year, give us a call at (734) 720-0330 or submit a contact form here. We look forward to helping you develop your art!
About Shudokan Martial Arts Association: SMAA was founded in January 1994 by a group of martial artists concerned with promoting and safeguarding Nihon budo and koryu bujutsu—the traditional martial arts and ways of Japan. SMAA is a non-profit that aims keep the spirit of traditional budo alive in the West. Anyone can become a member, even if you aren't a martial artist, and SMAA members are from multiple countries across the globe. For more information, visit https://www.smaa-hq.com/about
Source: Shudokan Martial Arts Association
0 Comments
Latest on Michimich.com
- Get Your Cowboy Boots On! Causeway Country BBQ Music Festival Kicks Off September 12–14 in Ft. Pierce
- Retired Hobbyist Launches Bold Weekly Album Project Using AI Songwriting Tools
- DimHum Launches Revolutionary CrowdShipping Service
- Eolian Signs New Information Exchange Agreement with the U.S. Department of Defense for Technology Innovation
- Infinite Health Introduces Cutting-Edge Regenerative Medicine for Wound Care with Trip Goolsby, MD
- Top Dentist Concord CA, Smile Makers Dental Care, Celebrates 500 5-Star Reviews
- Bio-Inspired Technology-Dynamic and Adaptable for unknown real-world environments
- 'Public Speaking Without Panic' Launches to Help Leaders Speak with Confidence
- Michael Reafsnyder opens solo exhibition at Scott Richards Contemporary Art in San Francisco
- Valley Sleep Therapy Expands to Prescott with New Location at Crossings Road
- $17.4 Million Total Revenue for First Half of 2025 (up 31.8% YOY) for Global Wet Trades Services Provider with High Value Bitcoin Investments
- $12.8 Million Net Revenue for 2024 for Cloud-Based Crowdsourcing Recruitment and SaaS-Enabled HR Solutions Provider: Baiya International Group Inc
- Rocket Companies Completes Acquisition of Redfin
- Hire Virtue Announces Executive Sponsorship Opportunity for Houston Hiring Blitz & Job Fair on August 6, 2025
- Inked & Maxim Model Teisha Mechetti Turns Heads—And Builds Community Impact
- Plan to Launch Silo Technologies' Cybersecurity Pilot Program for Ultimate Nationwide Deployment via Exclusive Partnership: Stock Symbol: BULT
- Robert Michael & Co. Real Estate Team Celebrates Industry Recognition and Showcases Premier Central Florida Listings
- NEW CHILDREN'S BOOK RELEASE: "Mommy, Where Is My Daddy?" by Tracy L. Gray
- UNIVERSAL MUSIC GROUP AND THE UCLA HERB ALPERT SCHOOL OF MUSIC ESTABLISH THE BERRY GORDY MUSIC INDUSTRY SCHOLARSHIP TO HONOR THE LEGACY OF A MUSIC PIONEER
- AI-Based Neurotoxin Countermeasure Initiative Launched to Address Emerging National Security Needs: Renovaro, Inc. (N A S D A Q: RENB)