* Image is for illustrative purposes only.Era of the Shōchū and Genhō Disturbances
正中・元弘の変期
Period of intensified anti-shogunate movements by Emperor Go-Daigo. The turbulent decade from the Shōchū Disturbance (1324) and Genhō Disturbance (1331) through the fall of the Kamakura shogunate (1333) marked the final phase of sword development, linking the post-Mongol Invasion configuration blades of the late Kamakura period to the large tachi of the Northern and Southern Courts era.
Description
Anti-Shogunate Movement and Samurai Unrest
The Shōchū Disturbance of 1324 was Emperor Go-Daigo's first attempt to overthrow the Kamakura shogunate, but it was discovered beforehand and ended in failure. However, the emperor did not abandon his ambitions. In 1331 (Genhō 1), he again conspired to overthrow the shogunate (the Genhō Disturbance), and after being besieged on Mount Kasagi, he was captured and exiled to Oki Island. This series of disturbances severely damaged the shogunate's political authority and created discontent among western samurai while fostering sympathy for the emperor. Warriors including Ashikaga Takauji (later Takauji), Nitta Yoshisada, and Kusunoki Masashige switched to Emperor Go-Daigo's side, and in 1333 (Genhō 3), the shogunate fell.
Perfection of Late Kamakura Swords
Swords of this era represent the final perfection of late Kamakura style while simultaneously exhibiting transitional characteristics toward the Northern and Southern Courts period. The "post-Mongol Invasion configuration" established in the late Kamakura period after the Mongol Invasions (1274, 1281)—namely, tachi with broad width, thick cross-section, and extended kissaki—developed further during the Shōchū through Genhō period, with body width increasing and kissaki becoming noticeably longer. Osafune Kagemitsu and Kanemitsu of Bizen were active during this era, which could be called the eve of the Northern and Southern Courts period, leaving powerful works that demonstrate the predecessor form of what would later be called the Enbun-Jōji large tachi.
Osafune Kanemitsu and Shōchū Period Workmanship
Osafune Kanemitsu was the grandson of Osafune Kagemitsu, and his works possess a transitional beauty wherein the powerful configuration of the late Kamakura period gives rise to budding characteristics of the Northern and Southern Courts style. As exemplified by Kanemitsu, a master swordsmith of Osafune Bizen, Bizen swords from the late Kamakura through Northern and Southern Courts periods enjoyed overwhelming prestige. The sword production of the Shōchū through Genhō period, preceding the Northern and Southern Courts upheaval, was driven not only by demand from the shogunate's official swordsmiths but also by requests from western samurai and southern court warriors participating in anti-shogunate movements, with active production centers in Bizen, Yamashiro, and Yamato all responding to demand.
Oki Exile and Cultural Discontinuity
The brief period from 1332 (Genhō 2), when Emperor Go-Daigo was exiled to Oki Island, through 1334 and the Kenmu Restoration, was an era of violent collision between imperial court culture and warrior culture. Kyoto swordsmiths found themselves in the complex position of receiving orders from both the imperial court faction and the shogunate faction. Rai Kunimitsu, a Yamashiro swordsmith active during this era, left outstanding pieces exhibiting transitional workmanship from the late Kamakura through early Northern and Southern Courts period, serving as a precious witness to how swordsmiths survived these turbulent times. Swords purportedly wielded by Kusunoki Masashige were transmitted as legends to later generations and revered as symbols of the southern court cause.
"Akutō" and Weapon Dispersal
One characteristic feature of this era was the rise of "akutō"—armed peasants and newly emergent warrior classes. Kusunoki Masashige himself was originally an "akutō" warrior, a local strongman in Kawachi. The participation in combat by these lower-ranking samurai and armed commoners expanded the base of sword demand, creating need not only for high-quality famous blades but also for practical mass-produced swords. Bizen swordsmiths maintained a dual production system of both high-quality and utility swords, revealing one aspect of how Japanese sword production was expanding throughout society.
Impact of the Shogunate's Fall
The fall of the Kamakura shogunate in 1333 (Genhō 3) dealt a severe blow to swordsmiths in Sagami (present-day Kanagawa Prefecture) who had operated as official shogunate craftsmen. Losing their patrons, the Sagami school smiths scattered across the country during the Northern and Southern Courts upheaval, resulting in the ironic consequence of transmitting Sagami tradition nationwide. Swordsmiths in the lineage of Masamune's disciples relocated to regions such as Echū, Mikawa, and Kii, becoming the catalyst for the nationwide dissemination of Sagami-tradition techniques.
Characteristics of This Era
- Final form of late Kamakura style coexisting with budding Northern and Southern Courts characteristics. Powerful broad-bodied blades with thick cross-sections and gradually extending kissaki exhibit transitional features.
- Era when Osafune Kagemitsu and Kanemitsu of Bizen reached their zenith. Individual hamon styles flourished, including Kagemitsu's kata-otoshi-gunome and Kanemitsu's ō-gunome-midare.
- Beginning of Sagami tradition dispersal. The shogunate's fall scattered the lineages of Masamune's ten disciples throughout the country, triggering the historical transformation of nationwide Sagami-tradition dissemination.
- Rise of "akutō" warriors including Kusunoki Masashige expanded demand for practical swords. A two-tiered market developed between high-quality masterpieces and mass-produced utility blades.
- Political turmoil of the anti-shogunate movement and Kenmu Restoration directly affected swordsmith activities. Changes and relocations of patrons determined the fortunes of each regional production center.