Memorabilia - Militaria - Japanese Swords
Ancient Japanese swords were straight and two-edged. During the 9th century, the "modern" style of sword, which has a single-edged curved blade, was developed. From this time on, sword making flourished in south-west Japan.
During the 11th and 12th centuries, widespread civil war created a great demand for swords. The samurai warrior caste arose during this period. The samurai carried a pair of swords, one long and one short, called a "daisho". Merchants and others could carry a single sword but wearing the daisho was an exclusive privilege of the samurai.
The Emperor Go-Tuba, who reigned from 1183 to 1198, was a connoisseur of swords. He encouraged swordsmiths to develop their art and his reign was a peak in the history of the Japanese sword.
Between 1250 and 1350, swords were made by three swordsmiths, Goro Masahune, Toshiro Yoshimitsu and Go Yoshihiro, who are regarded as the greatest of Japanese sword makers.
In Medieval times, swords were tested by highly respected, expert testers. These tests were carried on on condemned criminals or corpses. Some twenty tests were prescribed ranging from severing a hand to cutting through the hips. An expert tester with a first class blade could cut through three bodies at one stroke.


















Many implements used in the laundry before the electric washing machine are becoming rare and collectable. These include the washing dolly, which was a long stick with base resembling a wooden stool and a crossbar at the other end. The dolly was held by the crossbar and thrust up and down to agitate the washing. The posser was a similar device except that the wooden "stool" was replaced by a perforated metal cone.
The first cooking ranges had an open top but these were gradually replaced by an enclosed fire topped with a "hob". At the same time mass produced cooking utensils began to be produced, replacing iron items made individually by the village blacksmith or tin items produced by itinerant tinkers.








