Certain privileges were taken away from samurais during the Meiji period (1868-1912). The era, reigned by Emperor Meiji, saw the start of Japan’s modernization and rise to world power status.
Modernization of Japan
In an effort to modernize Japan, Emperor Meiji replaced the ancient classes with newer ones. Samurais became shizoku (literally “warrior families”), and their rights to carry daisho in public and execute commoners who disrespected them were eventually abolished, among others. Still, Emperor Meiji was a fan of the nihonto, and took steps to preserve its tradition.
With the decline of the market for hand forged swords, most swordsmiths were forced to find other sources of income. A significant amount of swordmaking knowledge was lost during this time. Although the colonial wars restored the demand for japanese katana swords, most of these were mass produced and therefore cannot be regarded as nihonto.
The years 1895 to 1925 were tough on the nihonto, as most tatara (traditional Japanese furnaces), traditions and schools were lost.
With the abolishment of the samurai class and the establishment of a western style Imperial Japanese Armies that were conscripted, several samurais volunteered to be soldiers and some became officers. Most of the officers of the Imperial Army were of samurai origin, and they were extremely disciplined, motivated, and outstandingly trained.
