Sword Smith History of Shikoku: Local Forging Culture and the Lineage of Master Craftsmen in Awa, Sanuki, Tosa, and Iyo

Shikoku's Sword Culture — The Hidden Blades of an Island

The five major centers of Japanese sword production (the "five great schools": Yamashiro, Yamato, Bizen, Soshu, and Mino) are all located on Honshu. Shikoku — Awa (Tokushima), Sanuki (Kagawa), Tosa (Kochi), and Iyo (Ehime) — has lagged behind these major centers in historical prominence of its swordsmiths and in scholarly research. However, each region had its own forging traditions and distinctive swordsmiths, and through the maritime networks of the Seto Inland Sea, while influenced by Bizen and Yamashiro, they cultivated unique sword cultures. By carefully tracing the history of Shikoku swords, we can see the rich regional diversity of Japanese blades.

Awa (Tokushima) — The Lineage of Tokushima Clan's Official Swordsmiths

Awa Province (present-day Tokushima Prefecture) was the domain of Tokushima Clan, ruled by the Hachisuka family, and during the clan period, official swordsmiths supplied blades. The "Awa no Masakiyo" lineage, known as Awa swordsmiths, left many surviving blades showing a style that inherited the techniques of the Bizen tradition.

Awa was known as a center of Tokushima indigo production, and its economic wealth supported the demand for samurai culture. Demand for swords came not only from the clan lord and warrior class, but a culture also emerged where wealthy merchants, such as indigo traders, collected swords as art objects, raising expectations for artistically refined work from craftsmen. Many surviving Awa blades bear the signature "Ashu-ju" (resident of Awa), reflecting the craftsmen's pride in showcasing their origin.

During the Northern and Southern Courts period, there was a time when military demand for swords surged, as generals loyal to Emperor Gomurakami used Awa as an important military base. Awa swordsmiths of this period raised their profile by supplying swords to the Southern Court faction, helping to establish their status as a production center.

Sanuki (Kagawa) — Kotohira Shrine and the Culture of Donated Swords

Sanuki Province (present-day Kagawa Prefecture) was a center of economy and culture from ancient times as a strategic point for maritime commerce. Of particular note in Sanuki's sword culture is the tradition of donating swords to Kotohira Shrine (Konpira-san).

Kotohira Shrine, where sailors and merchants from across the nation donated swords as offerings for safe passage, houses numerous donated blades, including works by Sanuki swordsmiths. Through these donated swords, Sanuki swordsmiths gained opportunities for national recognition.

Sanuki swordsmiths recorded in history are a group who signed their work "Sanshu-ju" (resident of Sanuki), with many dating from the mid-Edo period onward. Surviving works show swordsmiths who, while heavily influenced by neighboring Bizen, sought unique expressions of jigane (ground metal) distinctive to Sanuki. Among swordsmiths trained under Takamatsu Clan's (Matsudaira family) official smith system, some went to Sendai and Edo to hone their skills and deepen their techniques through exchanges with master craftsmen from various regions.

While Sanuki is widely known as the symbol of udon culture, "Shodoshima whetstones" also played an important role in the sword industry. Sword sharpeners throughout the Seto Inland Sea region used whetstones from Shodoshima, and Sanuki thus contributed to sword culture more through polishing industry than forging. Considering that whetstone quality determines a blade's final beauty, Sanuki's contribution deserves renewed evaluation in sword history.

Tosa (Kochi) — The Yamauchi Clan's Swords and the Martial Spirit

Tosa Province (present-day Kochi Prefecture), after Yamauchi Kazutoyo entered the domain following the Battle of Sekigahara, maintained its own samurai culture as Tosa Clan until the end of the Edo period. The most important name in Tosa sword-smithing history is "Tosa Yukikuni."

Yukikuni was a swordsmith active in early Edo period Tosa with close ties to the Yamauchi family, leaving works signed with the name "Tosano-kami Yukikuni." Tosa's sword culture is characterized by a "martial spirit."

It is well known that late Edo period patriots of the Tosa Loyalist Party, including Sakamoto Ryoma, Takechi Hanpeita, and Okada Izō, carried swords in their activities, most of which were products of Tosa smiths or acquired from other production centers. Through the turbulent currents of the era, Tosa blades became one with the will of these patriots and were etched into history.

In Tosa's mountainous regions, blacksmiths actively produced agricultural and forestry tools, and many of these smiths worked as swordsmiths on a part-time basis. This background led to Tosa blades being evaluated as "practical and unpretentious." Most surviving Tosa blades exhibit a bold style, and their prioritization of practicality over ornamentation directly reflects the resolute spirit of Tosa.

Iyo (Ehime) — The Swordsmith Networks of Imabari, Matsuyama, and Uwajima

Iyo Province (present-day Ehime Prefecture) was the largest region in Shikoku and nurtured diverse swordsmith cultures under the rule of Imabari, Matsuyama, and Uwajima clans. The most renowned Iyo swordsmiths are a group popularly called the "Iyo Kanemitsu lineage," with historical records indicating that swordsmiths who studied techniques from Kanemitsu of the Bizen Osafune school migrated to Iyo.

Each clan supported sword culture in its own way.

• Matsuyama Clan (Matsudaira family): Throughout the Edo period, actively retained swordsmiths and supported sword demand for both the strengthening of clan warrior equipment and art collection.
• Imabari Clan: Prospered alongside Saijo Clan as a hub of Seto Inland Sea trade, and this wealth fueled sword collecting culture.
• Uwajima Clan: Possessed its own cultural refinement and engaged in collecting activities focused on the artistic aspects of swords.

Distinctive characteristics of Iyo swordsmiths include flowing itame patterns and bright hamon. This is attributed to the influence of nearby Bizen and Sanuki combined with the use of iron materials unique to Iyo, and provides a distinct character that offers appreciation when compared with other production centers.

Contemporary Reevaluation of Shikoku Swords

Works by Shikoku swordsmiths often lag behind the major centers of the five great schools in market recognition. However, as research advances, the unique character of Shikoku swords — their individuality reflecting regional materials, culture, and samurai preferences — is being reevaluated. Regional sword enthusiast societies continue to research local swordsmiths, and investigations into bushinō (swords donated to temples) are progressing in relation to the Shikoku 88-temple pilgrimage.

Works by regional swordsmiths often come at more accessible prices compared to blades from renowned centers, and are sometimes positioned as entry points for sword collecting. TOUKENZA's online catalog regularly features works by regional swordsmiths, so those interested in exploring regional sword traditions including Shikoku blades are invited to visit.

Summary

The sword cultures nurtured by each of Shikoku's four regions — Awa, Sanuki, Tosa, and Iyo — possess their own unique histories and characteristics even while overshadowed by the five great schools. The characteristics of each region are summarized as follows.

Shikoku swords, produced through the complex interweaving of regional industry, faith, politics, and samurai culture, stand as valuable evidence of the rich regional diversity of Japanese blades. As interest in Shikoku swords grows, our understanding of Japanese sword culture as a whole will deepen further.