Katana modern 現代の刀

Here you will find modern long blades, Gendaito 現代刀 (from 1876 onward) and Shinsakuto 新作刀 (recent production).

Heir to a thousand-year-old know-how, this craft nearly disappeared with the advent of the Meiji period (1868 to 1912), the ban on wearing swords (Haitorei 廃刀令), the end of the Samurai caste and the modernization of the Japanese armed forces. But in the early 20th century, projects were set up to keep this tradition alive. Some swordsmiths were then named 'Living National Treasures' and 'Official Artisans of the Imperial Household'.

Today, Japanese swordsmiths are few, and they forge under the aegis of the NBTHK, the Society for the Preservation of Japanese Art Swords. Their training and the production of blades are regulated, which guarantees high-quality handcrafted work.