The Muramasa swords were regarded as yoto (“bewitched swords”) that cursed the Tokugawa clan, and people would avoid wearing these swords during the Edo period (ca. 1600–1870). As a result, the signatures on some of these swords have been partially erased or modified, as with the tanto sword in the lower photo. On the other hand, it was said that some who opposed the Tokugawa shogunate actively sought out Muramasa swords and deliberately wore them around during the final days of the shogunate.
