Katana antique 古代の刀

Here you will find long blades from the older periods:
- Koto 古刀 (before 1596)
- Shinto 新刀 (1596 to 1780)
- Shinshinto 新々刀 (1781 to 1876)

The Japanese sword, symbol of the warrior class, of the nobility, of the Bushi 武士 and of the Samurai 侍, was created during the Heian period (794-1185). During the Heian and Kamakura periods, the sword was mainly worn by nobles and horsemen, mounted as a Tachi with the cutting edge facing down. It was from the Muromachi period (1333-1573) onward, with the creation of large infantry armies, that the Japanese sword began to be worn through the belt, as is still done today in sword schools.