page_title: List of National Treasures of Japan (crafts: swords)
section_title: Ancient swords (jokotō)
hierarchical_section_title: List of National Treasures of Japan (crafts: swords) / Treasures / Ancient swords (jokotō)
caption_attribution_description: English: Great Bear sword or Seven Stars Sword, The sword contains a gold inlay of clouds and seven stars forming the Great Bear constellation. According to a document at Shitennō-ji, this sword was owned by Prince Shōtoku., Asuka period, 7th century , 62.1 cm (24.4 in) Osaka Shitennō-ji, Osaka, Japan日本語: 七星剣, 四天王寺
context_page_description: The term "National Treasure" has been used in Japan to denote cultural properties since 1897,
  although the definition and the criteria have changed since the introduction of the term. The swords and sword mountings in the list adhere to the current definition, and have been designated national treasures according to the Law for the Protection of Cultural Properties that came into effect on June 9, 1951. The items are selected by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology based on their "especially high historical or artistic value". The list presents 110 swords and 12 sword mountings from ancient to feudal Japan, spanning from the late Kofun to the Muromachi period. The objects are
  housed in Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines, museums or held privately. The Tokyo National Museum houses the largest number of these national treasures, with 20 of the 122.
  During the Yayoi period from about 300 BC to 300 AD, iron tools and weapons such as knives, axes, swords or spears, were introduced to Japan from China via the Korean peninsula. Shortly after this event, Chinese, Korean, and eventually Japanese swordsmiths produced ironwork locally.
context_section_description: Four ancient straight swords (chokutō) and one tsurugi handed down in possession of temples and shrines have been designated as National Treasure craft items. A notable collection of 55 swords and other weapons from the 8th century have been preserved in the Shōsōin collection. Being under the supervision of the Imperial Household Agency, neither these items nor the well known Kogarasu Maru are National Treasures.
caption: The Great Bear sword
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