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Masamune Sword
More Japanese related myths. This time more history oriented :P
LET´S WIKIATTACK!
Masamune (正宗?), also known as Gorō Nyūdō Masamune (五郎入道正宗?, Priest Gorō Masamune, c.1264–1343 AD), is widely recognized as Japan's greatest swordsmith. He created swords and daggers, known in Japanese as tachi and tantō respectively, in the Soshu tradition. No exact dates are known for Masamune's life, and he has reached an almost legendary status. It is generally agreed that he made most of his swords in the late 13th and early 14th centuries, 1288–1328. Some stories list his family name as Okazaki, but some experts believe this is a fabrication to enhance the standing of the Tokugawa family.Masamune is believed to have worked in Sagami Province during the last part of the Kamakura Period (1288–1328), and it is thought that he was trained by swordsmiths from Bizen and Yamashiro provinces, such as Saburo Kunimune, Awataguchi Kunitsuna and Shintōgo Kunimitsu. He was father by blood or adoption of Hikoshiro Sadamune, considered by many to be an almost as famous Sōshū master.An award for swordsmiths called the Masamune prize is awarded at the Japanese Sword Making Competition. Although not awarded every year, it is presented to a swordsmith who has created an exceptional work.
His most famous swords:
-Honjo Masamune, represented the Shogunate during most of the Edo period and had been passed down from one Shogun to another.
-Fudo masamune. This is one of the few blades signed by Masamune that is not in question. It was bought by Toyotomi Hidetsugu
-Musashi Masamune. A peculiar work of Masamune, once in the possession of the Tokugawa Shogunate through the Kii Domai and gifted to the main Tokugawa family line in Edo in its prime.
-Hōchō Masamune refers to any one of three particular and unusual tantō, attributed to Masamune. These tantō have a wide body, unlike his normal slim and elegant work, making them appear quite similar to a Japanese cooking knife
-Kotegiri Masamune. Kotegiri means "Kote cutter". In this case Kote is contracted word of Yugote (弓籠手), items of samurai that is equipped with his finger for using a bow