Jōkotō (ancient swords, until around 900 CE) Kotō (old swords from around 900–1596) Shintō (new swords 1596–1780) Shinshintō (newer swords 1781–1876) Gendaitō (modern swords 1876–1945)[11] Shinsakutō (newly made swords 1953–present)[12]