The Sengoku Period Among the most prominent periods of Japan’s history was the Sengoku period. It was a time in the country’s history that was significantly notable due to social upheavals, close consistent military rivalries, clashing of swords, and political intrigues. The Sengoku period was a century-long era of continuous political upheaval in Japan. It […]
Rise of the Ashikaga Shogunate – Ultimate Rule and Power
Rise of the Ashikaga Shogunate The Ashikaga Shogunate ruled in the years 1336 to 1573, as feudal government run by the Ashikaga clan. The Shoguns were considered as the de facto rulers of the country, making the Emperor’s authority quite insignificant. He was within imperial isolation as an admired figure, but all governance was delegated […]
The Kamakura Period – The End of Tyranny and the Start of a New
The Kamakura Period The Kamakura period was a time in Japanese history that marks the rule of the Kamakura Shogunate. It was established officially in the year 1192 in Kamakura by the very first Shogun, Minamoto no Yoritomo. The period was relatively known as the time when the samurai warriors caste emerged, as well as […]
The Heian Period Golden Age: 794-1185 A.D
Japan Heian Period Japan has gone through numerous historical periods and one of these early eras include the Heian Period which covers the years 794 to 1185 CE. It was the time when the country’s culture flourished greatly, mainly on literature and art. The government and its administration were ruled by the Fujiwara clan. Though […]
The Main Weapons of the Samurai – More than Just Swordsmen
The Main Weapons of the Samurai The known main Samurai weapons of Fuedal Japan includes the Katana and the Wakizashi – two swords that represented their class in the society. The Samurai were the warriors of feudal Japan. They completed the ruling military class that turned into the highest-ranking caste in the Edo period. Aside […]
The Ninjato Sword Myth and Mystery
The Ninjato Sword During the warring period of Japan, the Ninja or Shinobi worked in stealth and accomplished their tasks with the help of different weapons including the Ninjato sword. These warriors had highly exceptional skills yet were required to live in secrecy and concealment. This created a sense of mystery around them. Because of […]
Wakizashi Sword and Its History
Wakizashi Sword The Wakizashi sword is one of the most important weapons of the samurai warrior. It was the backup sword that was paired with the Katana. By law, only members of the Samurai caste were allowed to carry both swords as a daisho. Similar to the Katana, the Wakizashi is a classic nihonto with […]
The Japanese Tanto & Its Rich Historical Accounts
The Japanese Tanto The katana is known as a prominent weapon of the Samurai, yet the samurai wielded the Japanese Tanto well before the invention of the Katana. The Tanto blade has a rich history and was useful during battles, it was mostly utilized during the country’s warring period. The tanto is known as one […]
The Japanese Shirasaya Sword Mounting
The Japanese Shirasaya The Japanese Shirasaya is a special sword mounting that was used by the Samurai to store a blade that is not in use, its elegancy and simplicity made it one of the most sought after Japanese swords collectors are after. What is a Shirasaya? In order to explain what is a Shirasaya, […]
The Nagamaki Sword – The God of War and His Nagamaki Elite Guard
The Nagamaki Sword One of the least known Nihonto used by the Samurai in the Warring period of Japan is the Nagamaki, The Nagamaki is distinguished by its considerably longer handle that sometimes can match the blade length. The Nagamaki translates to a long wrapping. It is a kind of nihonto or classically-made sword and […]