![]() ^ The Encyclopedia of Nineteenth-Century Land Warfare: An Illustrated World View, Author Byron Farwell, Publisher W.Presently in Japan showato are not considered to be true Japanese swords and they can be confiscated outside Japan they are collected as historical artifacts. During this wartime period antique swords from older time periods were remounted for use in military mounts. The non-traditionally made swords from this period are called Shōwatō and, in 1937, the Japanese government started requiring the use of special stamps on the tang to distinguish these swords from traditionally made swords. Shortcuts in forging were also taken, such as the use of power hammers and tempering the blade in oil rather than hand forging and water tempering these measures created swords without the usual characteristics associated with Japanese swords. In addition, supplies of the type of Japanese steel (tamahagane) used for sword making were limited so several other types of steel were substituted. Traditionally made swords were produced during this period but, in order to supply such large numbers of swords, blacksmiths with little or no knowledge of traditional Japanese sword manufacture were recruited. ![]() During the pre World War II military buildup and throughout the war, all Japanese officers were required to wear a sword.
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