Wednesday, April 26, 2006
The gendaito
The gendaito.
The law was enforced in 1876 by Meiji new government . It was the law that having a katana was prohibited. But, a soldier, a policeman and an official were allowed to have a katana. Producers took a great influence by this law.
When a katana is made, a tamahagane ( steel ) is surely necessary. A tamahagane was made in the steel manufacturing method which was characteristic of Japan. The iron sand of good quality produced it in Chugoku district. Because of that, much good tamahagane was being made in Chugoku district. But, that had declined in the Meiji middle, too.
The tamahagane has been ever made in Shimane Prefecture Yokota-cho from 1933 to 1945. That was being called Yasukuni-Tatara. But, Japan was defeated in 1945 in World War II. A tamahagane production was stopped in the postwar confusion.
After that, The tamahagane which had already been made was used. But, it finished using that, too. That influenced the production of the katana. Farst of all, it was a big problem that the succession of the technology was interrupted, too. Yasukuni-Tatara was decided to be restored in 1977. This plan took the assistance of the country. But, there was only one person who knew the technology of the Yasukuni-Tatara. He accomplished this important duty though he was a great age. From then, it is called Nittoho-Tatara, and a tamahagane production and technician's training are being done.
At present, what is a katana being made for?
As a charm, As the goods of the dedication, As a trousseau, As a memorial gift, As a gift, As a family treasure, As a art. It disappeared that it was made as a weapon. The katana-kaji exists about 350 people at present.
