| Despite the great leaps the Japanese Sword took | | | | other,and in 1473 both men died. However, the |
| during the Golden | | | | fighting continued. From Kyoto theunrest spread to all |
| Age, the Koto Period would end in the decline in | | | | corners of Japan. Daimyos fought Daimyos and clans |
| quality of the Katana. Themajor event that shaped | | | | foughteach other. In several provinces the peasants |
| this descent in quality was the Senguko Period. Wewill | | | | and lesser Samurai, tired ofthe wars, revolted and |
| briefly examine this period and the major events that | | | | chased out the ruling clans. After 10 years of |
| would come to influencethe Japanese Sword. | | | | widespreadfighting the Onin War came to end. The |
| The Senguko Period (or Warring States Period) would | | | | result was 100 more years of unrestin Japan and the |
| come tobe known as the greatest social upheaval in | | | | beginning of the end for the Ashikaga Shogunate. |
| the history of Japan. For 133 | | | | The Chaos of the Warring States raged on until the |
| Japan would suffer from almost constant military | | | | appearanceof Oda Nobunaga. Nobunaga was a |
| conflicts that would eventuallyspread to all corners of | | | | ruthless leader who campaigned to bring allof Japan |
| the country. What began as a battle of jealousy | | | | under his control. Originally thought to be mentally |
| wouldcome to engulf the entire country and | | | | unstable, Nobunagawould first take control of his clan, |
| eventually end in the massive Battleof Sekigahara and | | | | then the country, and finally end the |
| establishment of the Tokugawa Shogunate. | | | | Ashikaga Shogunate. Just before his conquest of |
| The Senguko Period officially began with the Onin | | | | Japan was complete he wasbetrayed by one of his |
| War in 1467. | | | | retainers (Akechi Mitsuhide) and forced to commit |
| Although, there are numerous factors that | | | | Seppuku. |
| contributed to the turmoil of the | | | | After the death of the Nobunaga Toyotomi |
| Senguko Period, it was the feud between two men | | | | Hideyoshi took overthe campaign for the unification |
| that set off the Warring States. | | | | of Japan. Toyotomi completed the unificationand |
| These two men were Hosokawa Katsumoto and | | | | finally brought order to Japan. However, this peace |
| Yamana Souzen. Souzen was the fatherin law of | | | | would not last. With |
| Katsumoto but was still jealous of his son in laws | | | | Hideyoshi's health failing he assigned the 5 most |
| success. Katsumotowas a Kanrei, or deputy to the | | | | powerful Daimyos to takeact as regents until his |
| Shogun, and from a much more successful clanthan | | | | young son came to age. The 5 elders, as they |
| Souzen. When the Shogun had a son this presented | | | | werecalled, collapsed into disputes and eventually war. |
| a perfect opportunityfor Souzen cause dissent | | | | The final battle of the |
| between himself and Katsumoto. Souzen supported | | | | Senguko Period was the Battle of Sekigahara. This |
| the | | | | battle was between Ieyasu |
| Shogun's son as the heir to the Shogunate. | | | | Tokugawa and Ishida Mitsunari. By the end of the |
| Katsumoto supported the current | | | | battle Ishida was defeatedand Tokugawa became |
| Shogun's brother. Tensions built but fighting was | | | | the Shogun. |
| restrained. The Shogun,sensing the oncoming battle | | | | The 133 years that covered the Senguko Period |
| between the two men, decreed that the first manto | | | | produced a plethoraof warriors. In order for sword |
| attack the other within Kyoto would be branded a | | | | smiths to keep up with the growing demandof |
| traitor. | | | | swords mass production had to be instituted. The |
| In 1467 the tensions between the two men came to | | | | result of this was a significantdecrease in the quality |
| a head and | | | | of the sword. The days of sword smiths refining |
| Katsumoto attacked Souzen (however, due to | | | | theirown steel passed and the with it the legendary |
| Katsumoto's political maneuveringit would be Souzen | | | | strength of the Katana. Manyswords from this period |
| who would be branded as a traitor). Open war broke | | | | still exist, but most are of low quality. The Senguko |
| outin Kyoto and would last for a year. By the time | | | | Period effectively ended the Golden Age of the |
| the fighting ended Kyoto wasleft in ruins. Neither | | | | Sword. Swords of the Golden |
| Katsumoto nor Souzen had won a victory over the | | | | Age would never again be seen in Japan. |