During the feudal period, samurai would change the mountings on their swords based on current fashion and the ability of what the man could afford. In Japan, there are many blades from the Kamakura Period through the Muromachi Period(11th c. thru 16th century.). However, very few intact mountings from those eras exist today. The parts could be recycled and remounted. The approach to collecting and preserving the Japanese sword is entirely different than collecting other militaria. Restoration and improvement due to taste is determined by the owner today just as it was six hundred years ago.
Originally posted by SgtB
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