TOYOKUNI? ＆ Manosano? History of Tosa Hammer-Forged Blade (Tosa Uchihamono) Tosa Kingdom, currently known as Kochi Prefecture is one of the hottest, wettest and most humid prefectures in Japan and has excellent timber, which has been felled for construction since olden times. The forging of blades needed to cut down those trees also became an established trade. It is thought that the techniques for forging sword blades were first brought here in the Kamakura Period (12-13th centuries) and some of the early forging techniques are still being employed today. In 1306, on the eve of the Warring States Period of Japan, forgers belonging to the “Gorozaemon Yoshimitsu” sect from ancient Japanese capital region of Yamato (current Nara region) moved into Tosa from mainland in response to the demand for swords and armors. These blacksmiths’ influence was very strong on blacksmiths in Tosa region. Tosa Yamada, in Kami city, is known as the birthplace of Tosa Uchihamono (Tosa forged blades). This began when the lord of the Tosa feudal clan brought in talented sword makers from Sado, in Nigata, after serving under Kanpaku (The Emperor’s chief “adviser”, a de facto ruler of Japan), Toyotomi Hideyosi. Those sword makers were provided with domiciles in Tosa Yamada in exchange for contributing the region’s Uchihamono craft. Tosa Uchihamono began to flourish from 1692, under the Tosa feudal lord during the Edo period. Consequentially, Tosa Uchihamono’s both quantity of production and quality significantly improved during this time period. There is a document from 1950 stating that there were 399 blacksmiths in Tosa- a testament to the long lasting and deep roots of Tosa Uchihamono in the area. Tosa Uchihamono has only adopted modern machinery to a limited extent, rather hoping to preserve the 400-year-long practice and tradition of hand-forging their blades and tools. Tosa Uchihamono takes great pride in the way that makers can adjust the size or weight of their wares, and adapt for any other personal preferences. This is why Tosa Uchihamono is also known as “Tosa Jiyu Tanzo (Tosa free forging).” Background Records show that at the end of the 16th century there were some 400 smiths at work in Tosa. While they were skilled in the making of the samurai sword, they also seem to have made sickles and knives at the request of local farmers. Subsequently, with the promotion of forestry and the development of new fields in the area, bladed tools for agriculture and forestry were made in large quantities and a production center for forged goods came into being. A variety of knives, hatchets, sickles and axes are now produced alongside quality saws. A form of “free forging” is used to great effect in the making of these tools and each one is made individually. There are now 146 firms employing 229 people, among whom are 11 government recognized Master Craftsmen.
TOYOKUNI? ＆ Manosano?
History of Tosa Hammer-Forged Blade (Tosa Uchihamono)
Tosa Kingdom, currently known as Kochi Prefecture is one of the hottest, wettest and most humid prefectures in Japan and has excellent timber, which has been felled for construction since olden times. The forging of blades needed to cut down those trees also became an established trade. It is thought that the techniques for forging sword blades were first brought here in the Kamakura Period (12-13th centuries) and some of the early forging techniques are still being employed today.
In 1306, on the eve of the Warring States Period of Japan, forgers belonging to the “Gorozaemon Yoshimitsu” sect from ancient Japanese capital region of Yamato (current Nara region) moved into Tosa from mainland in response to the demand for swords and armors. These blacksmiths’ influence was very strong on blacksmiths in Tosa region.
Tosa Yamada, in Kami city, is known as the birthplace of Tosa Uchihamono (Tosa forged blades). This began when the lord of the Tosa feudal clan brought in talented sword makers from Sado, in Nigata, after serving under Kanpaku (The Emperor’s chief “adviser”, a de facto ruler of Japan), Toyotomi Hideyosi. Those sword makers were provided with domiciles in Tosa Yamada in exchange for contributing the region’s Uchihamono craft. Tosa Uchihamono began to flourish from 1692, under the Tosa feudal lord during the Edo period. Consequentially, Tosa Uchihamono’s both quantity of production and quality significantly improved during this time period. There is a document from 1950 stating that there were 399 blacksmiths in Tosa- a testament to the long lasting and deep roots of Tosa Uchihamono in the area.
Tosa Uchihamono has only adopted modern machinery to a limited extent, rather hoping to preserve the 400-year-long practice and tradition of hand-forging their blades and tools. Tosa Uchihamono takes great pride in the way that makers can adjust the size or weight of their wares, and adapt for any other personal preferences. This is why Tosa Uchihamono is also known as “Tosa Jiyu Tanzo (Tosa free forging).”
Background
Records show that at the end of the 16th century there were some 400 smiths at work in Tosa. While they were skilled in the making of the samurai sword, they also seem to have made sickles and knives at the request of local farmers. Subsequently, with the promotion of forestry and the development of new fields in the area, bladed tools for agriculture and forestry were made in large quantities and a production center for forged goods came into being.
A variety of knives, hatchets, sickles and axes are now produced alongside quality saws. A form of “free forging” is used to great effect in the making of these tools and each one is made individually. There are now 146 firms employing 229 people, among whom are 11 government recognized Master Craftsmen.
