They were also important products in overseas trade. The Muromachi Period (1336-1573) saw the introduction of short swords, or kozori, swords for indoor fighting, or wakizashi, and the two-sword samurai style that we are familiar with today. It was at this time that the prevailing method of battle shifted from individual combat to coordinated unit tactics, and bladed weapons were produced to meet the needs brought about by this change. Development continued as Japan faced the two Mongol Invasions (12) in the late Kamakura Period. With the emergence of samurai as the ruling class of the military government established in the Kamakura Period (1192-1333), skillful craftsmen cultivated under the Shogunate began to produced new types of bladed weapons such as the tanto (short sword), naginata and yari (pole weapons). The introduction of cavalry to Japanese warfare spurred improvements in the length and arc of the blade to allow mounted warriors to more effectively wield their swords in battle, which is called tachi. With each successive conflict, however, these early Japanese swordsmiths (tosho) improved their craft, eventually arriving at the characteristic curved blade, or wanto that distinguishes the Japanese katana from other swords seen around the world. Before this time, imported swords were valued over domestic blades for their quality. The evolution of what was to become the classic Japanese katana the world has come to know began in the Heian Period (794-1192), which saw a surge in the demand for swords due to the many internal conflicts that took place during that period, the most famous of which is perhaps the clash between the Genji and Heike Clans known as the Genpei Kasen. Swords seen in the Asuka (592-710) and Nara (710-794) Periods were called chokuto, or straight sword, a name that reflects their use for thrusting rather than slashing. Swords were first used as weapons in the Tumulus Period (3rd century). Japanese swords and their rich individual histories have fascinated people for centuries. Suggestions on How to Use Cutting Tools.
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