A Bitchu Province school active from late Heian through Nanbokucho. Known for chirimen-hada and refined workmanship.

A prestigious Yamashiro school in Kyoto, active from late Heian through Kamakura. Known for refined tanto and elegant workmanship.

A Higo Province school active from Kamakura through Muromachi. Known for Yamato-influenced work.

Imperial smiths; the select group of master swordsmiths summoned by retired Emperor Go-Toba in the early 13th century to forge swords under his personal instruction at the imperial court.

The Five Traditions; the main sword-making schools (Yamashiro, Yamato, Bizen, Soshu, Mino).

A Yamato school near Hatakeda. Known for masame-heavy forging patterns.

A Shinto-era Yamashiro school, founded by Horikawa Kunihiro. Active in early Edo period.

One-character; famous Bizen school signing with the character 'ichi'.

Old Aoe; early Bitchu school work.

Old Bizen; early Bizen school work before Ichimonji.

Old Hōki school of swordsmiths active in Hōki province during the Kamakura period.

Old Mino school; early period swordsmiths from Mino province (modern Gifu).