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My own studies found references that state that around the time when the Chu koto [ancient sword period] ended, this is the era wherein straight bladed swords were prominent, and almost all of them had a double edge. However, some early Ko to [old sword period] blades classified more as a "Tachi" rather that a Katana had a sharpened edge on the back side, but that this sharpened areae only extended about 1/3 down the length from the kissaki.
For 30 bucks a year one can join the United States Japanese Swords Society, and for another 100 join the NTHK and learn a great deal about different Japanese swords. These two organizations have some extremely knowledgeable individuals that are willing to share what they know. For myself, I could fill a thimble with what I know about Japanese swords.
Its not necessarily computer games or imaginary fantasies, and more interesting and certainly very educational!
How can you describe holding and examing two 500 year old swords? For me it was an experience that I'll never forget. And my one regret is when I was unable because of other commitments to not have been able to travel to the west coast to meet Yamamoto Guji, the 96th Generation high priest of Tsubaki Dia Jinja, Mie Prefecture, Japan, founded in 3 BC. This gentleman is a Japanese National Treasure Swordsmith who had come to the states at that time to dedicate a Jinja [forge shrine] in the name of a former student.
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