The Five Traditions of Sword Manufacture (Gokaden)

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Contents

Overview

In the Koto times, term Gokaden refers to the style of work produced specifically in these five provinces. Here are some of the characteristics of each tradition.

Bizen

Overview

Bizen has been a center of iron production since early times. From the late Heian period until the la 16th century, it was perhaps the most profilic source of blades in Japan. Three great names of Ko-Bizen school are Tomonari, Masatsune and Kanehira.

Characteristics

  • Boshi - Continuation of the hamon. Types seen are choji midare komi, midare komi and midare komi with choji ashi.
  • Hamon - Hamon is composed mainly of midareba in nioi deki. Typical hamon styles are choji midare, gunome midare, koshi-no-hiraita midare and sometimes other styles.
  • Jihada - Mostly mokume-hada, though ko-mokume, chu-mokume and o-mokume are also seen, usually combined with o-hada. Utsuri is nearly always seen in the ji.

Mino

Overview

In the Muromachi period Seki in Mino was one of the greatest centers of sword production. Famous Mino smiths include Kaneuji, Kanesada and Kanemoto.

Characteristics

  • Boshi - Long and wide kaeri, jizo boshi is common. Steep tome.
  • Hamon - Based on midareba and mixed with togari-ba, scattered nie.
  • Jihada - Mokume-hada combined with o-hada, with rather coarse look; whitish pattern stands out. Masame-hada is always seen along the mune. Shirake utsuri is seen.

Soshu (Sagami)

Overview

Soshu tradition owes much to Minamoto Yoritomo. By his order military government moved to Sagami. The most famous smith of Soshu tradition is the great Masamune.

Characteristics

  • Boshi - Mainly midare komi.
  • Hamon - Midareba in nie deki.
  • Jihada - Mokume-hada combined with other hada pattern.

Yamashiro

Overview

Earliest smiths of Yamashiro tradition were said to be working in the 10th century. Famous Yamashiro smiths include Sanjô Munechika, Tôshirô Yoshimitsu and Rai Kunimitsu.

Characteristics

  • Boshi - Follows the pattern of the hamon, ko-maru, nie kuzure and kaen are seen.
  • Hamon - Based on suguha in nie deki. Hataraki like niju-ba, uchinoke and hakikake appearing inside the hamon.
  • Jihada - Composed mostly of mokume-hada. Yet ko-mokume, chu-mokume and o-mokume hada are seen. Yubashiri appears on the ji, and it often resembles the Milky Way.

Yamato

Overview

Oldest of all Gokaden, starting from 4th century. Amakuni who has been called as the father of the Japanese sword is said to be a native of Yamato and lived in the early 8th century, but this account is not accepted today.

Characteristics

  • Boshi - Ko-maru, o-maru, nie kuzure, kaen and yakitsune are seen.
  • Hamon - Based on suguha in nie deki. Vertical hataraki, like nijuba, uchinoke, hatarki, etc. appear frequently in the habuchi.
  • Jihada - Mainly masame-hada. Sometimes mokume-hada and itame-hada, more often nagare-hada mixed with masame-hada.
  • Sugata - Especially high shinogi.

Sources

Retrieved from "http://swordwiki.org/wiki/The_Five_Traditions_of_Sword_Manufacture_%28Gokaden%29"
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