Nihonto Knowledge Cards

Ray Singer

About this app

Master the world of Japanese swords with 627 beautifully designed flashcards across six essential decks.

Whether you're a collector, student, martial artist, or simply fascinated by nihonto, this app gives you the vocabulary and knowledge to read sword signatures, understand historical context, identify schools and traditions, and recognise the great masters of the craft.

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**Six decks. 627 cards. One complete study system.**

🔴 **Names (Mei) — 150 cards**
The 150 kanji most commonly found in Japanese swordsmith signatures. Each card shows the character on the front and four authentic example names on the back. Build the reading skills to decode a sword's mei (signature) directly.

🔵 **Provinces — 89 cards**
Japan's ancient provincial system shaped sword-making traditions for a millennium. Learn all 89 historical provinces — their kanji, romaji names, and regional significance — the same geography that defines Yamashiro-den, Bizen-den, and every other great tradition.

🟠 **Time Periods (Nengō) — 144 cards**
From Taika (645 CE) to Reiwa, Japan's 144 imperial era names are the dating system used on every dated sword. Each card pairs the era name with its period and historical context so you can pinpoint a blade's age from its signature.

🟢 **Terminology — 139 cards**
The essential vocabulary of nihonto: nakago shapes, yasurime file patterns, horimono carvings, jihada grain types, hamon temperline forms, kantei appraisal terms, and blade faults. Every serious student needs this deck.

🩵 **Schools — 51 cards**
The 51 major sword schools spanning five great traditions — Yamashiro-den, Yamato-den, Bizen-den, Sōshū-den, and Mino-den. Each card presents the school kanji, tradition, founding period, and historical notes.

🟡 **Swordsmiths (Tōkō) — 54 cards**
Fifty-four of the most celebrated swordsmiths in Japanese history — from Sanjō Munechika and Masamune to Muramasa and Shinkai. Each card shows the smith's signature kanji, active period, tradition, and notes on their distinctive work.

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**Built for serious study**

- **Spaced study system** — cards move between New → Learning → Mastered states
- **Daily streaks & activity log** — stay consistent with a 7-day progress chart
- **Daily goal tracking** — set a target and watch your progress bar fill
- **Quiz mode** — test yourself with randomised sessions across any deck
- **Library browser** — browse all 627 cards with category filters and instant search
- **Achievements** — unlock milestones from Apprentice to Grand Master
- **Dark & light themes** — study comfortably day or night
- **Works offline** — no internet connection required after install

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*Nihonto Knowledge Cards is an independent study tool for educational purposes. Card content draws on established nihonto scholarship. Not affiliated with any sword-appraisal authority.*

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## Category
Education

## Tags
japanese swords, nihonto, kanji, flashcards, katana, sword study, japanese history, samurai

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## Content Rating
Everyone

## Contact Email
[e-mail]

What’s new

Final release.