Encyclopedia
Traditions
The great traditions of Japanese swordmaking — the five Gokaden — and the curated traditions of sword fittings. Each sits one rung above the school: choose a tradition to explore its schools, masters, and available works.
Sword Traditions
The Five Traditions (Gokaden 五箇伝)
備前伝Bizen-denBizen Province (Okayama) · Heian–Edo15 schools · 5,180 designated · 3,635 Jūyō山城伝Yamashiro-denYamashiro Province (Kyoto) · Heian–Kamakura12 schools · 1,923 designated · 1,367 Jūyō大和伝Yamato-denYamato Province (Nara) · Heian–Nanbokuchō12 schools · 1,460 designated · 1,278 Jūyō相州伝Sōshū-denSagami Province (Kamakura) · Kamakura–Nanbokuchō10 schools · 1,679 designated · 1,233 Jūyō美濃伝Mino-denMino Province (Gifu) · Nanbokuchō–Edo8 schools · 830 designated · 761 Jūyō
Fitting Traditions
Curated groupings of sword-fitting schools
家彫Gotō / IeboriKyoto · Muromachi–Edo8 schools · 1,221 designated · 1,147 Jūyō町彫Machibori (Nara lineage)Edo / Kyoto · Edo period10 schools · 1,141 designated · 1,028 Jūyō肥後金工Higo KinkōHigo Province (Kumamoto) · Edo period7 schools · 412 designated · 383 Jūyō美濃彫Mino-boriMino Province (Gifu) · Muromachi–Edo2 schools · 115 designated · 113 Jūyō