室町後期〜戦国（末古刀）
Late Muromachi-Sengoku (Sue-Kotō)
The Ōnin War sparked the Warring States era, and mass production of swords began in earnest. The practical uchigatana became standard, establishing the form we recognize as the Japanese sword today.
解說
The Ōnin War (1467) plunged all of Japan into the Sengoku (Warring States) era, making large-scale battles involving foot soldiers commonplace. Sword demand surged, leading to mass production (taba-mono) centered in Osafune (Bizen) and Seki (Mino). The uchigatana worn edge-up at the waist replaced the tachi, establishing a practical blade length of around 67 cm. Mino tradition smiths like Magoroku Kanemoto and Izumi-no-kami Kanesada mass-produced sharp, battle-ready swords pursuing the ideal of 'unbreakable, unbendable, and razor-sharp.' Late Bizen smiths such as Sukesada and Katsumitsu fulfilled many custom orders, bringing Bizen swords to a final flourishing from the Eishō through Tenbun eras. However, a devastating flood struck Osafune around 1590, displacing many smiths and sending Bizen smithing into decline. Swords of this period, called 'sue-kotō,' prioritize function over beauty. Quality ranges from mass-produced pieces to fine custom works, and well-made signed examples remain popular with collectors. Regional smiths also thrived during this era, forging distinctive swords to meet the demands of local warlords—another hallmark of the sue-kotō period.
此時代的刀劍特徵
- Uchigatana replaced tachi as the dominant form (worn edge-up)
- Practical blade length around 67 cm became standard
- Mass production centered on Mino and Bizen traditions
- Emphasis on cutting ability and battlefield practicality
- Wide quality range from mass-produced to fine custom works
- Lightweight, easy-to-handle designs suited for one-handed strikes
- Mass-produced pieces feature short tang with single mekugi-ana
- Late Bizen declined after the Tenshō flood; Mino Seki became the production center
- Regional smiths (Satsuma, Hyūga, Echizen, etc.) became more active