Samurai Sword History
History Of Samurai Weapons
The Best source on Samurai Sword History. Exciting stories behind Samurai culture and Japanese swords.
Tips on how to recognize Authentic Japanese Swords from a modern replica.
Don't forget to look at the
History of the Samurai Gallery.
All of the photos there are links to more pages about the Japanese warriors' culture.
During the 9th and 12th centuries (feudal time in Japan) the Japanese warriors' class also called Bushi (knights/warriors) gave the name to the
Bushido code of the Samurai.
The height of art at that time was the creation of the the Antique Samurai sword.
This was the beginning of 700 years of Samurai Sword History dominated by Japanese warriors.
The Japanese swords were the warrior's weapon and pride. Many heads were cut off with it.
In 1853, Commodore Perry of the U.S. Navy forced the shogun to enter into a trade agreement with the U.S. and cancel the period of isolation in the history in Japan.
This sudden encounter with the West contributed to the downfall of the Japanese warriors.
You can learn a lot about that time in the history of the Samurai sword from
The Last Samurai movie
– an excellent movie.
Tom Cruise plays the role of Captain Algren, who is hired by Americans who are interested in profitable contracts with the Emperor of Japan.
It was a time in the Samurai Sword History, when the imperial army who was used to fighting with swords started using guns.
The Americans were called to train the Japanese warriors.
Wounded by the Samurai, Tom Cruise life is spared by the Japanese warrior's leader. He learns to respect the Bushido code and participates as a consultant in the failed rebellion of the warriors.
Finally the feudal system was eliminated and by initiating a compulsory military service the warriors were left without a position.
Emperor Meiji set Japan on a course of modernization.
Carrying Japanese Samurai swords in the streets was banned.
Overnight, the market for Japanese Katana swords died. Many sword smiths were left without a trade to pursue, and valuable skills were lost.
The Revival Of The Antique Samurai Sword
At the beginning of the 20th century sword smiths found work again. Making Japanese swords changed a lot.
The authentic Japanese swords they produced were simply stamped out of steel and given a serial number rather than a chiseled signature. Artisans were making Japanese swords by mass-production.
Under the United States occupation at the end of World War II, production of ancient Japanese swords was banned.
Antique Japanese Swords of artistic value could be owned and preserved. Many pieces were sold to American soldiers. In 1958 there was a turning point in the Samurai Sword History - there were more Authentic Japanese swords in America than in Japan.
If you'd like to know more about Why Japanese Swords are so rare and How to Recognize Authentic Japanese swords, Get the best Facts about Samurai weapons at
Japanese Samurai swords.
Return from
Samurai Sword History to History of the Samurai
for lots more exciting stories about Japanese warriors lifestyle.
Ancient Japanese culture comes to life in the pages about Samurai Weapons and swords, Clothing and Japanese Samurai Armor.
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