Beyond the craftsmanship of Japanese swords they are often hailed for their functionality. Many of the first swords in Japan resembled Chinese design of straight blades with double edges. The first of distinct Japanese characteristics was the tachi which featured a curved single edged blade of harden steel made for slashing rather than thrusting. The tachi was to be tied on the outside of armor and with the blade side down. It wasn't until the Mongol invasion of Japan that the Katana was born, made from high-carbon steel and able to cut through Mongol-leather armor unlike its predecessor, the Tachi. The Katana is designed to be worn blade side up  with a curve for faster draw and functionality especially on horseback, but also for everyday comfort and accessibility. Next came the Wakizashi which is a much shorter blade to be worn in similar fashion to the Katana and functioned in many ways as a backup.

In times of war, the emperor often commissioned the best swordsmiths to supply the samurai with weapons. This lead to a rise in sword making throughout Japan with exceptional work being  lauded and distinguished from the rest. On the contrary during times of peace swordsmithing became more ornate and a symbol of social standing. Only the best swords were accessible to the samurai and nobles. Even further, swords with inscriptions and elaborate design of rich material were of higher class and often represented not only societal rank but the region and culture that the sword originated from. 

For much of Japan's history the country was in isolation forbidding foreigners from coming to Japan and citizens from leaving. This period is referred to the Edo period from 1603-1868 where the country was ruled by militant samurai and the Tokugawa Shogunate. The Edo period facilitated the craftsmanship of swords and provided demand for more quality swords. It wasn't until the young emperor Meiji opened borders to western influence that the samurai way of life and swordsmithing was put in jeopardy. With a desire for western modernization and a return to empirical rule in Japan, Meiji led a huge cultural and social revolution called the Meiji Restoration which dismantled the hierarchy of samurai rule and even outlawed the wearing and in some cases the possession of all swords in Japan by passing the Heitore Edict in 1876. This put obvious strains on swordsmithing and the craft became less and less common overtime, only resurfacing in times of war and in times of ceremony. Today, swordsmith's pay homage to the smiths of the past and try to uphold the ancient traditions. Swords, although not a primary weapon of war, are still much a part of modern Japanese culture as being featured in Anime, video games, folktales and other expressions of folklore. They are admired in museums and in wealthy private collections as unrivaled artifacts of a country's rich heritage. 

Much like other crafts, the tradition and practice of swordsmithing is passed down within families, generation to generation (Sims & Stephens 2011). What makes swordsmithing so unique is the lineage of family sword makers extends 400, 500, 600 or in the case of the Munechika family 900 years of family history within this same industry. This is explained by the practice of legally adopting apprentices if blood-related children weren't up to the standards. Regardless of time-frame the tradition and practice of swordsmithing is upheld and even exists today as modern swordsmiths do their best to maintain original technique and excellence.  Although lineage isn't necessarily an obstacle in modern Japanese swordsmithing, there is a rite of passage including a lengthy apprenticeship and formidable testing to become a master swordsmith (Van Gennep 2013).