Three Reasons That Forged Tosa Hammered Blades: The Forests, Climate, and Lumberjack Legacy of Kochi

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Sensations in Stillness—Encountering Japanese Beauty（Trees De Mits）

When a craft takes deep root in a specific place and is passed down for centuries, it's never just a coincidence. There's always a chain of inevitable factors at play.

As an editor covering craftsmanship across Japan, I've seen firsthand how a region's unique climate and history mold the very character of its traditional arts.

Today, our focus is on Tosa hammered blades. We'll delve into the geographical and historical reasons why a resilient blade-making culture, thriving for over 400 years, blossomed in the land of Kochi.

The Foundation of It All: Kochi's Geography and Climate

The history of Tosa hammered blades is believed to trace back to a group of swordsmiths (katanakaji) who migrated from Yamato Province during the Kamakura period. By the Sengoku (Warring States) period, the region had already established a major industrial base with numerous blacksmiths.

The unique geography of Kochi Prefecture, formerly Tosa Province, was instrumental in nurturing this long and prosperous history. Facing the vast Pacific Ocean to the south and walled off by the rugged Shikoku Mountains to the north, the region was blessed with abundance from both sea and mountains, which helped it cultivate a distinct cultural sphere.

Its warm, rainy climate fostered lush vegetation, profoundly influencing the lives and industries of its people. The craft of Tosa hammered blades is inextricably linked to this environment, its very form shaped by the land of Kochi.