B.C.
10,000- Jomon Period
200- Yaoi Period
A.D.
300-552 Kofun Period
300-710 Yamato Period
300-900 Jokoto (Ancient times) Period
Earliest prototypes of Japanese swords. Also known as the Chokuto (straight sword) period. Appearance of Iron Swords in Japan. The Japanese import swords made in China and Korea. The "Ken", a straight, double-edged sword appears. Koto (old sword) Period ends
552-645 Asuka Period
710-784 Nara Period
794-1184 Heian Period
Appearance of the Tachi ("to cut in half") a long and curved single edged sword.
857-1160 Fujiwara Period
1184-1336 Kamakura Period (Warring states period)
Constant warfare makes huge demands for the finest weapons. The No-Dachi, a six-foot long war sword appears. Masamune, a premier swordsmith that makes blades of "homogeneous steel" is very popular. His efforts and style and define this age of sword making. His blades are known to cut through swords from earlier periods. Appearance of Ji-Samurai, or saburau (to serve). 1274-1281 Monguls 1st and 2nd attempts at invading Japan. Mongul fleet destroyed by "kamakaze" (divine wind) typhoons.
1336-1392 Nanbokucho Period
1392-1568 Muromachi Period
Katana replaces Tachi in the Bushi (warrior) arsenal.
1530 New Sword (Shinto) Period in Japan
The traditional and distinctive methods of the Five schools are lost.
1543 Portuguese arrive in Japan, firearms introduced.
1568-1615 Momoyama Period
Wakizashi (companion sword) is worn with Katana, forming the Daisho (long and short) a sign of status and rank as Samurai (he who serves)
1575 Firearms used against swords for the first time in Japan (guess which did better)
1584 Miyamoto Musashi , the Kensei ("Sword Saint)" is born in Japan
1581 Gen. Nobunaga Oda invades Iga Province on Nov. 3, with a force of 46,000 Samurai against 4000 Ninja Warriors.
1615-1804 Edo (the "Gate") Period
1804-1868 Shogunate (Bakumatsu) Period,
1867 End of New Sword (Shinto) Period in Japan . Showa Period begins Many Ryu (schools, or style) devote their effort to making copies of famous swords.
1868 Shin-Shinto ("Modern Sword") begins.
1868-1912 Meiji Period
1871 Samurai stripped of their privileges
1876 Carrying of Daisho prohibited in Japan
1877 Samurai revolt , the end of the Samurai, defeated by conscripts weilding teppo (match lock firearms).
1912-1926 Taisho Period
1926-1988 Showa Period. Swords such as police sabers, (Gunto) are mass produced using modern heat treating, forging and chemical tempering methods. Swords produced during this period cannot be considered as true "Samurai" swords.
In 1936 several young army officers lead a "second restoration" revolt. The revolt fails.
1941 Japanese Imperial Navy attacks Pearl Harbour, Hawaii Dec. 7. Japan recreates the warrior ethic , Battan death march includes atrocities such as beheadings of U.S. servicemen using Shingunto (military swords).
1945 Japan surrenders on board the U.S.S. Missouri Sept. 2. War ends , U.S. servicemen bring home between 250,000 to 350,00O "war trophies" , many swords are ancient , ancestral Katanas.
1988 to present: Heisei Period
Ken, or Chokuto (straight, double or single edged sword)
No-Dachi (six foot war sword)
Tachi (sword worn attached to belt, edge down)
Daito (Longsword)
Katana (sword for fighting on foot)
Wakizashi (companion sword)
Shoto (short sword)
Ninja To, Shinobigatana (staight bladed short sword used by shadow warriors)
Tanto (knife with a guard)
Hamadashi (utility knife)
Aikuchi (knife without a guard, "a pleasant companion")
Kogai (skewer)
Kozuka (small knife that fits into pocket of sword scabbard, used for throwing and utility purposes)
Kwaiken (small knife worn in sleeve of kimono)
Naginata (glaive polearm)
Bisento (sword blade with polearm length handle)