Pit Pack

Despite the great leaps the Japanese Sword took during the Golden
Age, the Koto Period would end in the decline in quality of the Katana. The
major event that shaped this descent in quality was the Senguko Period. We
will briefly examine this period and the major events that would come to influence
the Japanese Sword.

The Senguko Period (or Warring States Period) would come to
be known as the greatest social upheaval in the history of Japan. For 133
Japan would suffer from almost constant military conflicts that would eventually
spread to all corners of the country. What began as a battle of jealousy would
come to engulf the entire country and eventually end in the massive Battle
of Sekigahara and establishment of the Tokugawa Shogunate.

The Senguko Period officially began with the Onin War in 1467.
Although, there are numerous factors that contributed to the turmoil of the
Senguko Period, it was the feud between two men that set off the Warring States.
These two men were Hosokawa Katsumoto and Yamana Souzen. Souzen was the father
in law of Katsumoto but was still jealous of his son in laws success. Katsumoto
was a Kanrei, or deputy to the Shogun, and from a much more successful clan
than Souzen. When the Shogun had a son this presented a perfect opportunity
for Souzen cause dissent between himself and Katsumoto. Souzen supported the
Shogun’s son as the heir to the Shogunate. Katsumoto supported the current
Shogun’s brother. Tensions built but fighting was restrained. The Shogun,
sensing the oncoming battle between the two men, decreed that the first man
to attack the other within Kyoto would be branded a traitor.

In 1467 the tensions between the two men came to a head and
Katsumoto attacked Souzen (however, due to Katsumoto’s political maneuvering
it would be Souzen who would be branded as a traitor). Open war broke out
in Kyoto and would last for a year. By the time the fighting ended Kyoto was
left in ruins. Neither Katsumoto nor Souzen had won a victory over the other,
and in 1473 both men died. However, the fighting continued. From Kyoto the
unrest spread to all corners of Japan. Daimyos fought Daimyos and clans fought
each other. In several provinces the peasants and lesser Samurai, tired of
the wars, revolted and chased out the ruling clans. After 10 years of widespread
fighting the Onin War came to end. The result was 100 more years of unrest
in Japan and the beginning of the end for the Ashikaga Shogunate.

The Chaos of the Warring States raged on until the appearance
of Oda Nobunaga. Nobunaga was a ruthless leader who campaigned to bring all
of Japan under his control. Originally thought to be mentally unstable, Nobunaga
would first take control of his clan, then the country, and finally end the
Ashikaga Shogunate. Just before his conquest of Japan was complete he was
betrayed by one of his retainers (Akechi Mitsuhide) and forced to commit Seppuku.

After the death of the Nobunaga Toyotomi Hideyoshi took over
the campaign for the unification of Japan. Toyotomi completed the unification
and finally brought order to Japan. However, this peace would not last. With
Hideyoshi’s health failing he assigned the 5 most powerful Daimyos to take
act as regents until his young son came to age. The 5 elders, as they were
called, collapsed into disputes and eventually war. The final battle of the
Senguko Period was the Battle of Sekigahara. This battle was between Ieyasu
Tokugawa and Ishida Mitsunari. By the end of the battle Ishida was defeated
and Tokugawa became the Shogun.

The 133 years that covered the Senguko Period produced a plethora
of warriors. In order for sword smiths to keep up with the growing demand
of swords mass production had to be instituted. The result of this was a significant
decrease in the quality of the sword. The days of sword smiths refining their
own steel passed and the with it the legendary strength of the Katana. Many
swords from this period still exist, but most are of low quality. The Senguko
Period effectively ended the Golden Age of the Sword. Swords of the Golden
Age would never again be seen in Japan.

Article by Kobe Ng, Please visit website on handmade Japanese Sword for more information on handmade Japanese Sword.

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