A Century of Japanese Sword Culture in the Early Edo Period: From the Battle of Sekigahara to the Eve of the Genroku Era

Transformation of Sword Demand Born from the Battle of Sekigahara

In the fifth year of Keichō (1600), the Battle of Sekigahara concluded with Tokugawa Ieyasu's establishment of hegemony. This historical turning point also became a major catalyst for transformation in the sword-making industry. The massive demand for swords that had reached its peak during the Sengoku period rapidly cooled, and a transition began from an era where mass-produced "kazuuchi-gatana" were in demand, to an era where individual quality and aesthetic value became paramount.

From the Keichō through Genna periods (1600–1623), many swords inherited from Sengoku-period warlords circulated in the market. During this period, when echoes of warfare still remained, demand for old swords (kotō) with practical functionality was persistent, and evaluation of works by ancient master craftsmen grew higher. Meanwhile, as the Edo shogunate began implementing policies to regulate and favor sword-makers in major production centers, the production environment for new swords (shintō) became established.

This transformation was a change that directly affected how sword-makers made their livelihoods. The focus shifted from the work of mass-producing practical swords for battle to the work of carefully crafting individual pieces for a limited clientele, and the more skilled sword-makers came to be valued for their meticulous work tailored to individual commissions.

From Kan'ei to Jōō: The Dawn of Edo New Swords

The Genna-Kan'ei period (1624–1644) was when the foundations of sword culture in Edo were established. Under the rule of the third shogun, Tokugawa Iemitsu, militaristic governance was strengthened, and various systems to curtail the military power of the daimyō (such as the mandatory attendance at the capital) were put in place; meanwhile, the wearing of swords by samurai became institutionalized as a symbol of social status.

One of the notable developments in sword-making during this period was the migration of sword-makers to Edo. Skilled sword-makers from traditional production centers such as Ōsaka, Kyoto, and Bizen were summoned to Edo and worked as official sword-makers for the shogunate. While maintaining traditional techniques, they developed working styles adapted to the demands of the new market in Edo.

A characteristic feature of swords from this era is the change in their form (the overall shape of the blade). A transition began from the broad, heavy Keichō-period new sword form that was popular in the Sengoku period to a narrower, more supple form. The shape of the tang also changed, and characteristics of the era began to be reflected in how signatures were carved. Details such as how the tang was finished and how the file marks were cut also reflect the distinctive working style of this period, and in later authentication, these elements serve as clues to determining the era, along with the style of the signature.

The Emergence of Kanbun New Swords—Innovation in Sword Form

The Manji-Kanbun period (1658–1673) was one of the most important turning points in early Edo period sword history. During this period, a distinctive sword form called "Kanbun new swords" became established.

The characteristics of Kanbun new swords are a relatively narrow width at the hilt with a large difference from the width at the point (a clear distinction between hilt and point), combined with a mid-length kissaki and moderate curvature. This resulted from a pursuit of refined appearance over practicality and reflected the social expectation of the sword as a mark of samurai refinement in a peaceful era.

Nagasone Kotetsu Okisato stands out as a representative sword-maker active during this era. Kotetsu, who migrated from Echizen Fukui to Edo, won acclaim with his distinctive jihada and richly worked hamon, earning renown as "the foremost sword-maker of Edo." His swords commanded high prices even in his own time, and his work became so popular that later it was said "many swords with false Kotetsu signatures were produced."

In Ōsaka, Inoue Shinkai (the second Izumi-no-kami Kunisada, later called Shinkai) was active. The swords of Shinkai, the representative figure of Ōsaka new swords, were known for their sharp, clear hamon and dignified form, and were widely sought not only by samurai but also by wealthy merchant classes.

Today, when seeking swords attributed to Kotetsu or Shinkai, the provenance and the presence or absence of a certificate of authentication from an authoritative institution become important factors in making a judgment. Because many forgeries of popular sword-makers' works circulated in later periods, verifying whether a piece comes with a certificate of authentication has become a fundamental practice in collecting.

From Enpō to Teikyō: Maturation of the Sword Market

From the Enpō through Teikyō periods (1673–1688), the sword market continued to mature. A distribution network for swords was established centered on the three cities of Edo, Ōsaka, and Kyoto, and the authority of the Honami family in authentication and official certificates became firmly established.

During this period, the valuation of swords was shifting from mere material and technical quality to factors such as the prestige of the signature, the presence of a certificate of authentication, and the authenticity of its provenance. The sale and purchase of famous swords became integrated into the monetary economy, and swords began to take on the character of speculative collecting objects. A orihami was a document by which the Honami family guaranteed the authenticity and value of a sword, and obtaining one had important significance in raising the prestige of a sword. Today's authentication certificate system is understood to inherit from this tradition of provenance authentication.

Sword Culture on the Eve of Genroku—The Transition from Military to Civil Rule

After the Tenna-Teikyō period (1681–1688), during the rule of the fifth shogun Tokugawa Tsunayoshi, the shogunate's political policy made a major shift from military rule to civil rule. As the Genroku era (1688–1704) approached, the samurai society's view of swords underwent decisive change.

The concept of "swords for actual combat" receded, and the idea of "swords as works of art and formal attire demonstrating samurai pride" came to the forefront. The sword shifted its primary function from a tool of the battlefield to a proof of social status, and its evaluation criteria gradually changed from "cutting ability" to "beauty," "provenance," and "prestige of the signature." Views also spread of regarding swords not merely as weapons, but as furnishings that speak to family status and lineage.

The hundred years of the early Edo period constituted an era that bridged Sengoku-period sword culture and Edo-period sword culture. The transition from utility to aesthetics, from mass production to individual craftsmanship, and the change in the social status of sword-makers—these multifaceted transformations led to the splendid sword art of the later Genroku culture and the mid-Edo period.

Key Perspectives for Appreciating and Collecting Early Edo Period New Swords

When appreciating and collecting new swords made in the early Edo period, the following perspectives will deepen your understanding.

• Reading Changes in Form: Characteristics of a sword's form—such as the difference between width at the hilt and width at the point, the size of the kissaki, and the position of the curvature—serve as clues to estimating the approximate period of manufacture.
• Examine the Tang and Signature: The finish of the tang, the file marks, and the style of the signature are important elements for identifying the sword-maker and era, and form the basis of expert authentication.
• Prioritize the Presence of Certificates of Authentication: Because forgeries with false signatures are more common for popular sword-makers, checking whether a sword comes with a certificate from an authoritative institution is the first step in authentication.
• Research Provenance and History: Which family the sword was passed down through and whether ancillary materials other than certificates exist serve as evidence supporting the sword's provenance.

These perspectives can be understood more deeply by bearing in mind the transformations that swords underwent during the tumultuous hundred years of the early Edo period—the shift from utility to aesthetics, from mass production to individual craftsmanship, and from military equipment to furnishings.