The 5 Main Japanese Sword Traditions
The Japanese tradition of sword making is probably the most intricate, and renowned throughout the world. Read all about the 5 techniques used throughout history.
Periods
Sunset of the Taira: The Battle of Dan-no-Ura and the Rise of Minamoto Dominance
The Battle of Dan-no-Ura, a pivotal conflict in 1185, ended the Genpei War, marking the fall of the Taira and the rise of the Minamoto clan. This decisive battle set the stage for the Kamakura Shogunate, reshaping Japan’s history and culture, its echoes reverberating through legends, operas, and animated series.
Azuchi Momoyama
The period is known as Azuchi Momoyama (安土桃山時代) spans from 1573-1603. It is the last part of the Sengoku period, which intersected with the Muromachi period. This was a significant time in Japan, as the country drew for breath after the chaos and turmoil that had ensued after the collapse […]
Kamakura
The period in Japan known as the Kamakura period took place approximately between 1185–1333 AD. This period was when samurai power was at its height, and the country was ruled by the feudal military government, appointed by the first shogun Minamoto no Yoritomo in 1192. The heads of this military […]
Muromachi
The period from approximately 1337 to 1573 was known in Japan as the Muromachi period (室町時代). Also known as the Ashikaga era too, this period of Japan’s history can further be split into 2 periods which consisted of the continued support of Emperor Go-Daigo, who had attempted to reintroduce a […]
Edo
The period from 1603 to 1868 in Japan is called the Edo period (江戸時代). Also known as the Tokugawa period (徳川時代), this was a period in Japan’s history where the country was under the rule of the Tokugawa shogunate, as well as the country’s 300 regional Daimyo. The Tokugawa shogunate […]
Sengoku
From approximately 1467 to 1603 AD, in Japan, this was known as the Sengoku period (戦国時代). It was a period of war between states, and power struggles between the daimyo, who were the local lords. The Shogunate had lost influence and power over the local lords while struggling to maintain […]