seven swords

                                                         

                           seven swords

  Tianshan the frozen, lived a good at cast jian master world in HuiMing master. HuiMing has four disciple,

including big disciple ChuZhaoNa, relying on the preaching of sword master time, hope the future can be in river EnQiu enjoyment; Two disciple YangYunCong, although fighting skill gao had no intention to ride into. HuiMing master as badly as four disciple FuQing Lord, WuYuanYing and HanZhiBang came down from the mountain, and his life to fix for the tempered, seven swords may dispense seven, launches "under seven swords tianshan mountain" wulinyuan.

The next seven swords tianshan mountain "tianshan the frozen, lived a good at cast jian master world in HuiMing master. HuiMing has four disciple, including big disciple ChuZhaoNa, relying on the preaching of sword master time, hope the future can be in river EnQiu enjoyment; Two disciple YangYunCong, although fighting skill gao had no intention to ride into. HuiMing master as badly as four disciple FuQing Lord, WuYuanYing and HanZhiBang came down from the mountain, and his life to fix for the tempered, seven swords may dispense seven, launches "under seven swords tianshan mountain" wulinyuan.

East Asia swords

       As steel technology improved, single-edged weapons became popular throughout Asia. Derived from the Chinese Jian or dao, the Korean hwandudaedo are known from the early medieval Three Kingdoms. Production of the Japanese tachi, a precursor to the katana, is recorded from ca. 900 AD (see Japanese sword).[26] Japan was famous for the swords (nihonto) it forged in the early 13th century for the class of warrior-nobility known as the samurai. The types of swords used by the samurai included:nodachi/odachi (extra long field sword), tachi (long cavalry sword), katana (long sword), wakizashi (shorter companion sword for katana), tantō (short sword). Ancient pre-samurai swords included tsurugi (straight double edged blade) and Chokutō (straight single edged blade).[27] Anti-cavalry swords such as the extremely long Song Dynasty era zhanmadao (literally "horse chopping sword") and the Japanese Zanbatō also developed at the time.[28]

 

Katana of the 17th century, with its koshirae and shirasaya.

The Japanese katana reached the height of its development in the 15th and 16th centuries, when samurai increasingly found a need for a sword to use in closer quarters, leading to the creation of the modern katana.^[29]

Wallace Sword

      The Wallace's Sword is an antiqueclaymore purported to have belonged to William Wallace (1272–1305), a knight and Scottish patriot who led a resistance to the English occupation of Scotland during the Wars of Scottish Independence. It is said to have been used by William Wallace at the Battle of Stirling Bridge in 1297 and the Battle of Falkirk (1298).
The shaft of the sword measures 4 feet 4 inches in length (132 cm) and including the tip 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm).The breadth of the blade varies from 2.25 inches at the guard to 0.75 inches before the point. The sword weighs 6.0 lb (2.7 kg).
      HistoryIt has been alleged that after William Wallace's execution in 1305, Sir John de Menteith, governor of Dumbarton Castle received the sword in August of that year. But there are no records to that effect. Two hundred years later, in 1505, accounts survive which state that at the command of King James IV of Scotland, the sum of 26 shillings was paid to an armourer for the "binding of Wallace' sword with cords of silk" and providing it with "a new hilt and plomet" and also with a "new scabbard and a new belt". This repair would have been necessary because, according to legend, Wallace's original scabbard, hilt and belt were said to have been made from the dried skin of Hugh Cressingham, one of the English commanders at the Battle of Stirling Bridge.No other written records of the sword are found for a further three centuries. In 1875 a letter from the War Office informed that the sword, in 1825 was sent to the Tower of London to be repaired. At that time it was submitted to a Dr Samuel Meyrick by the Duke of Wellington for examination.
Dr Meyrick was an authority on ancient swords but he estimated the age of the sword by examining the mountings only, which as we know were replaced early in the 16th century. Thus he concluded that the sword could not date from earlier than the 15th century. However he did not take account of the blade which must have been of some importance for James IV to have it bound in silk and give it a new scabbard, hilt and belt and it was also described then as the "Wallas sword".The sword was recovered from Dunbarton by Charles Rogers, author of The Book of Wallace. Rogers, on 15 October 1888 renewed a correspondence with the Secretary of State for War, with the result that the Major General commanding forces in North Britain was authorised to deliver the weapon to his care for preservation in the Wallace Monument.
[edit] Historical accuracyThere is reason to believe that this sword did not belong to William Wallace. The blade does not possess a fuller — a near universal feature of blades with this type of cross-section (lenticular) except in processional swords of the Renaissance. The blade in its original state would have likely been Oakeshott type XIIIa (also known as Espee de Guerrel or Grete war sword) which became common by the mid-13th century. Such swords would have a long, wide blade with parallel edges, ending in a rounded or spatulate tip. The grip, longer than in the earlier Scottish swords, typically some 15 cm (almost 6 inches), allows good two-handed use. The cross-guards were probably down-sloping (in the later highland style) or straight, and the pommel either regularly Brazil-nut or disk-shaped but this case perhaps a lobed pommel inspired by the Viking style.
Close inspection reveals that it may be made up from pieces of different swords fitted together. Part of this could have come from a late 13th century sword.

Maintenance

                                         Maintenance
Japanese sword exquisite carefully safeguard, need daily to wipe, and wipe tools also is varied, the knife paper, t-shaped oil, cloud knife powder, etc. After such a maintenance, although for thousands of years, but when the sword is still there was such as electricity. Usually, we maintain knife didn't use the knife in hand with, look below is how to maintain, actually very simple.
How do daily maintenance?

Knife, the blade to prevent stains, sweat be soiled, plant juice, vegetable oil. Not to touch the knife, the knife if with the hand or try to cut a must use pure cotton cloth knife clean oil and then again to put its sheath. If no oil on the knife with the hand or try to cut a mark, at this time with pure cotton cloth is hard to wipe clean, use the pure cotton cloth on pour a little sewing machine oil brush again, can take fingerprints. If still't wipe clean pour point of petrol wipe, if still don't rub to use XiangJiaoShui wiped clean, can quickly remove the. After the clean in the sewing machine oil or oil for its sheath, general as long as processing in there after a long don't tube can be won't rust. Conditional can go to the pharmacy to buy a bottle of vaseline (solid), and then put the sewing machine oil into the vaseline mix the effect is better. After mixing the concentration of the vehicle engine oil to feel about line, no special restrictions. One thousand if rust, suggest to buy to rust box.
The scabbard is loose, tan loose to should do

Generally, there are three things will happen dao tan loose: the first is the transport process may cause dao tan pine (postal quality problem, artistry "color design studio" package would be much better, but also can't sure hands); The second is not standard being disassembled dao tan pine (can avoid); The third is the knife inserted back when it too hard, because in the back of the scabbard when on dao tan scabbard impact, this is really bad habits. This way won't hurt a tan, but will the dao tan backward top, backward top can cause with knife cut arrowheads primaries there is space between, after a stroke dao tan is loose (can avoid). Tan pine is dao tan in the hole be maintained big, this problem is not too good solve, and there is a more convenient but not too reasonable measures, with a hammer is find to the awl, an aul resist dao tan in the hole edge, use hammer percussion awls such dao tan hole after squeezing will become smaller, and then in the pack to return on the sword, installed as long as not loose. The scabbard is commonly used loose sword after scabbard mouth caused by excessive wear will loose, scabbard pine is easy to solve, look for one to the general furniture factory, ask them points is very delicate of wood shavings, delicate degree with flour almost. After a few cushion to find wood scabbard mouth, use 502 stuck, felt after good with file nap, side fixed side try, almost feeling good.

Japanese sword and China broadsword contrast

Japanese sword and China broadsword contrast

     The American movie bodyguard "in a plot to Japanese sword touchy-feely treatment: a scarf, drifted down, meet with Japan's sudden broken blade in two parts. This can XunWei out, even in the best rejection and Oriental culture of the top vilified Hollywood, to Japanese sword sharp, also dare not to lose all honour. China ancient times to Japanese sword has a high evaluation. The northern song dynasty scholar OuYangXiuCeng fu "Japanese sword song poem praise Japanese sword: 'the way far don't tube, passing the jade who can poor. Nearly a high-class th the, the shah of the sea and the east. Fish skin with incense stick wooden scabbard, yellow Tou mixed with bronze. The gold into good hand, admire can Rang demon fierce. The same similar records in China also reflected in ancient books, according to concerning the "pirates have about qi jiguang in: by the long blade extremely, the army of the broken spear when namely, have a human enemy by four Ming the captains of the army and the winning record gun. Japanese composed of three to battle group, roar into our position, invincible scene appeared again and again. Abstract: by qi jiguang against first study how to refrain from Japan's long dao, and introduced the famous "yuanyang array" to spear, and, with the musket, distance kill enemy, war and party changes for the better. Japanese sword blade is very narrow, but due to the fine steel as raw materials, forging and quenching process is very excellent, so high strength, sharp blade, the sword of the wavy grain clearly visible; The scabbard and the appearance of the armguard is exquisite, be all over the world as the collector treasures. In great China, connect body to the whole piece of steel building, the steel general, especially the head of blade wider, the tip of a inclined, similar to the "wu by general of the described in:" the first after sharp inclined "of the song dynasty hand knife: at the end of a long handle a circle. Although Japanese sword is narrow, but back in the same period of the great China than thick. The world war ii the Japanese sword for the machine made more than die, performance dramatically reduced, simply can't cope with the width of blade great China.

Categoreis

• Japanese Swords
  • Tachi
  • Japanese Katana
  • Wakizashi
  • Tantou
• Chinese Swords

Decoration way and Appreciation etiquette

Decoration way
        The decoration of the knife knife too often placed in particular is the resettlement of frame on, to tip up, the handle down, winger in a way to. The decoration of the knife knife and stalking, poor (sometimes together with the knife, are often in the same placed on the shelf. According to order the length from top to bottom decoration, the knife (play knife) in the upper, poor or the knife in lurking below. In a way the winger for usual practice. The handle must decoration to the left, on the one hand, on the left is the sword positive, on the other hand, said no threatening, if the handle to the right words, which can be said with the right hand draw his sword, cut out at any time.
Appreciation etiquette
          When the sword must attend to appreciate those present to safety, and avoid damage the sword. First in a safe place to sit. With both hands will hold the sword, then a bow, to say to the sword of the potter's respect and the respect of items. Then, with the left hand hold scabbard, the scabbard move forward. The right hand the handle, inverse blade is also the blade is toward the right hand in the direction of the thumb. Keep the blade upward, gently pull out a short blade first, confirm whether a card tight in the scabbard. If the card tight, a draw would have forced may make the blade fly out of control, the harm himself and others. Since then, with a slow speed breath will pull out to cut the first body part. If the midway pause and blade surface or the scabbard internal may be scratching. A sword, want to avoid the two sides and winger and scabbard inside of the contact, will the scabbard is back edge is ok and scratch blade or its sheath. Cut the first to support in the carp mouth (こ い ぐ ち, Koiguchi), is also the scabbard opening of, again slowly will be away from the body scabbard. Pull out the sword after, the first scabbard aside, again slowly appreciate the sword. Appreciate the sword, cut first and the blade absolutely not toward the others. If the blade as the front of the sword, appreciate too dao should start from the right start, the knife from the left is started, this and the direction of the inscription on which is first appreciation engraved with "inscription" side. Avoid by all means is the surface of the body contact, make hands dirty oil body, destroy the original layer of temporary. Appreciation pigeon when your spittle, with blade, cause corrosion. Japan of the old warrior standing on a bosom paper (か い し, Kaishi), some warrior in appreciation before the sword in their mouth bite with a piece of paper, the body for is to prevent with a flowing foaming. If you would have a sheath of the sword to another hand, first the vertical blade, cutting up first, blade on himself, just can make the hands of others will handle. In do not identify the handle can hold before others, do not let it go. Stem is appreciation when
Japanese sword is an important part of, but if you want to appreciate the stem, must have the consent of the sword master. For safety's sake, can first, back to the scabbard, and dismantle the nail and handle, for appreciation. If want to return to the knife sheath, use first scabbard mouth (the first support cut the bottom, is also to avoid the two sides and edge contact the scabbard, again let blade slowly slide back to its sheath knife.

Try the sword and Side arms

                                         Try the sword and Side arms

Try the sword
In 1797, zhe plant flat help the sword learn a reactions classical the bosom sword feet, "a book. Put forward the sword to its cutting forces should be criteria. According to the classification for cutting force reactions four levels. The great content (さ い じ ょ う お お わ ざ も の, Saijyouoowazamono), namely can cut through the whole of the human body ninety percent to the thickness of the sword, the great content (お お わ ざ も の, Oowazamono) says that being able to cut through seven to eighty percent of the human body thickness, good thing industry (よ き わ ざ も の, Yokiwazamono) says that being able to cut through five to sixty percent of the human body thickness, and industry content (わ ざ も の, Wazamono) says that being able to cut through two to forty percent of the human body thickness. This also appeared professional try the sword, try the knife can be roughly divided into born try (い き だ め し, Ikidameshi) that is cutting the living, and the dead try (し に ん だ め し, Shinindameshi) that is cutting bodies, and established try things (か た も の だ め し, Katamonodameshi) that is good thing cut three. Except that the classification of the industry, and people will bodies of them together to test the sword once cut off many layers. Can cut off a layer of called "a Dong", two layer called "two Dong", and so on. The results were never more than "three Dong". However, according to records there have been "four Dong" and even "seven Dong" treasure knife. After trying the knife knife usually in Japanese dao stalk remember on such as "some year while somewhere or break a few Dong cut off what" and so on contents, the move as a kind of quality assurance. More of the civilization of the sword method is

 

to try things try, much to armor, wrought iron plate, antlers, hard material testing.Side arms
Ancient Japanese only warrior to pelosi long dao, general civilians are shall have no right to use (but can be installed with a threat sent). Warriors dressing dao a long a short, for too long dao dao or play knife, short for the threat is poor, two swords used on have dividing line between long dao is the main weapon, poor threat is spare weapons, is in the long dao damaged, just use, usually won't use. By habit before leaving the warrior, first will sent inserted in the belt a threat, then use right hand knife, to go to the door on the porch place of the shoes, after then inserted in a knife in the belt. The sword of left flank wear on, is in order to facilitate a sword in her right hand. Except the knife, especially with the horse armor fingers (め て ざ し, Metezashi) knife. In addition, warriors to own sword for glory, collision of samurai scabbard, would be considered rude. This is why the Japanese people are walking on the left side. And knife wear on the left, even though the two warriors in the narrow lane meet, their scabbard also won't touch each other. Warrior to in their visits, also will be the first to in the porch knife untie, then use right hand, again into the house. Ask cutter into the house with his left hand and said can at any time with the right hand draw his sword, is don't trust performance. Unless there is a reasonable reason (left-handed), otherwise may be considered rude.

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Demon knife village is

Demon knife village isThe village because the relationship between the tokugawa and family is famous for its tokugawa era () several people were killed or injured YuCunZheng sword, home health of pine flat before two generations when the Lord are all died in the village is the sword, DeChuanGuKang grandfather qing kang, two people are faithful father wide by nearly minister assassination, and are in village is the knife. And the home kang I youth has also been village is cut the finger. In 1579, DeChuanGuKang DiZi letter kang, oda nobunaga was given death, and died in a named "potential state village is" of the sword. Although these are coincidence, but in 1600 the year of the war knit field Hanoi keep long filial piety (knit TianChangYi son) pike and winged home kang fingers, and it is that the injured finger, and more skillful is the pike is potential state village is system. The DeChuanGuKang concluded that: "village is a knife is from the house of tokugawa special YaoWu" and ordered destroys all village is the knife. The edo period, although the potential of the knife work is still in the village in the forge Japanese dao, but under the pressure of the tokugawa shogunate, no openly to dare to carry village is knife, the knife is before Ming village more change inscription. So it is the village is extremely rare.

The village is called monster knife also and the historic period about,(swords shop) the village was born in the middle of the room unrest Harding, a big demand for Japanese sword, led to a lot of inferior the sword, but village is still insist on quality excellent actual combat knife forge. In fact, tokugawa home equipment village is very much the knife, and cause the casualties are tokugawa home within the family, so coincidence actually also unfortunately.

The edo period social peace, and the sword by practical to pay attention to more gorgeous appearance adornment, at the time, the sword to the sword sharp pseudo-science character judgment good or ill luck, so sharp actual combat knife, be called "monster knife", "evil sword" not auspicious name... So to edo later, the village is the idea that demon dao has thorough popular feeling.

The real village as the names of the knife work is first appeared in the middle chamber Harding, but also as a knife inscription use for around one hundred years. Clearly village is than just a knife work name, this through the existing village is knife knife inscription on the shape and can be verified. According to research, at least three generations of ise knife labor use village is inscription. Beginning appellation left wei door commandant, is the potential for the celebrity, the oldest a village is in 1501 forge, the knife has "potential state name mulberry live right back door WeiTeng original village is" long inscription.

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About Japanese sword of the culture

                                                About Japanese sword of the culture\
Name source
Throughout Japan called it "knife" (か た な, Katana), "Japanese sword" a first for its foreign says disorders. The northern song dynasty poet ouyang xiu "Japanese sword song poems, has recorded about some of the Japanese sword, at the time, the Chinese already will called treasure knife, have more to (now in southern China region) businessman designed for purchase knife and to Japan, and from the Angle of fine arts portrayed the Japanese sword appearance and style. This can be seen in the Japanese dao peace late era, when the early age is warehouse has been a foreign recognition, and was one of the products as Japan's output. "The yi way far not passing the jade the tube, who can poor. Nearly a high-class, the more th the shah of the sea and the east. Fish skin with incense stick wood scabbard, yellow and mixed with copper?????? Good. The gold to hand, admire can Rang demon fierce." Poems, the record about some of the Japanese sword, at the time, the Chinese already will called treasure knife, have more to (now in southern China region) businessman designed for purchase knife and to Japan, and from the Angle of fine arts portrayed the Japanese sword appearance and style. This can be seen in the Japanese dao peace late era, when the early age is warehouse has been a foreign recognition, and was one of the products as Japan's output (see song trade, tomorrow trade). Knife common. In the (な か ぞ り, Nakazo

japanese swords classification

classificationAccording to The Times divided
Ancient dao (じ ょ う こ と う, Jyoukotou) : don't usually included in the list of Japanese dao, refers to the ancient dao the sword of before. Give priority to with straight knife, such as great a picture of the scene system knife era edo prints
With occasional the knife. Ancient dao (こ ど う, Kodou) : refers to the Japanese sword is a long ago. Harding middle age before the main room is too knife. New sword (し ん と う, Shintou) after a long sword. New 々 knife (し ん し ん と う, Shinshintou) : based on the great water-vessel water is show advocate create, the use of ancient dao forging the sword of the method, otherwise the said, shall refer to the late eighteenth to well into the nineteenth century, at the end of the period of Japanese dao. The modern dao (げ ん だ い と う, Gendaitou) : also have the said, shall refer to the 1876 years Japan issued to the sword after waste system knife. Zhao and knife (し ょ う わ と う, Syouwatou) : as the sword arts Japanese dao category of outside a, is mainly used for the weapons of saber use the knife. There are a variety of method.
Divided according to the shape
All kinds of Japanese sword, put way different, because the chiseled different direction. Too knife (た ち, Tachi) : in a knife for long, curving blade also higher. No hard and fast rules too knife wearing way, however, in order to facilitate the cavalry take out knife slashing the ground enemy, too knife will generally to winger down way wearing, and hanging below the belt. Japanese dao are points of positive and negative, too the sword is positive the right. Inscription position is key, if the cut that first, as the front of the sword blade, too many in the blade knife is right. Hair form itself too knife: stem and handle (つ か, Tsuka) function of the knife too, exists in by the straight knife knife to bend the transitional period. The pill shape too small knife: from the blade of that area to play made picks, feng for smoking. A slight radian, is straight knife to bending of the transitional period of a knife. Small too knife: length too a little shorter than the sword. Knife (か た な, Katana) : say again play knife (う ち か た な, Uchikatana), is generally too knife for short, also has relatively low sinuosity of blade. For the sake of the fastest speed to a sword, the traditional DaoHui on the way to winger wearing, scabbard inserted in the belt. If the cut that first, as the front of the sword blade, the inscription on the left. So the sword is positive left. According to modern classification a long iron
Degrees (blade length: cut to the first building straight distance) 60 cm above the knife. Stalking, poor (わ き ざ し, Wakizashi) : also called a threat to point to, the length of more than 30 cm under 60 cm of the knife. Used in narrow space or break armor. The knife (た ん と う, tantou) : 満 30 cm length is not the knife. In addition, 30 cm above but no knife against flat to build the knife made method, intellectuals "are often be delayed for a short sword. General is warrior class of self-defense weapons. The ginsu knives: ninja special Japanese sword. The ginsu knives than the average knife short and easy to carry. And the ginsu knives with peace times former sword similar, it is straight blade, in order to fight on foot or as props (such as legs) use. So the ninja blade knife than ordinary Japanese sword is as blunt.
According to use division
Japanese sword according to different purposes of can be divided for the quarter, instrument knife knife, hit knife, hyogo lock knife, keep knife, too poor threat.
According to the regional division
Japanese sword with the regional division, can be divided into the southeast in guinea and northwest 7 way 65 countries. As in guinea, mountain city, Hanoi, and spring, and taken the tianjin etc. The east river, beauty of the hill near strong, strong faith, ueno, etc.
According to the characteristics of forging division
According to the characteristics of forging, Japanese dao can be divided into 26 pie. If the kingdom prepared, ancient before, courtyard, abundant deaf before addition to forging, chrysanthemum, law embodied in a temple forging smelting, etc.
Editor this period of Japanese dao detail classification
込 made the kinds of
Picks made (し の ぎ づ く り, Shinogidukuri) say again this made (ほ ん づ く り, Hondukuri), the most common Japanese sword modelling. Is considered to be made by cutting edge evolved. Ping made (ひ ら づ く り, Hiradukuri) is a body plane, have no visible picks muscle and cross hands, and the short sword, poor little threat is modelling. No picks. Flat play knife made in room from the middle of The Times and development between the end with a saw. Piece of picks made (か た し の き づ く り, Katashinokidukuri) single cant open feng, one side is made, a flat picks were made. Slice blade made (き り は づ く り, Kirihadukuri) more toward the direction of the blade picks the modelling. Ancient dao in common. Feng two-edged made (さ っ き も ろ は づ く り, Sakkimorohadukuri) near the front part of the sword, for the sword like double edge. Can take up half body. Calamus made (し ょ う ぶ づ く り, Syoubudukuri) will be made part of the hand picks after removing the plastic. Like calamus leaves, hence the name. Short dao in common. Crown fall made (か ん む り お と し づ く り, Kanmuriotoshidukuri) blade by cutting the h1 picks for the shape of the thin calamus made even cut was also cut thin first. Ti first made (う の く び つ く り, Unokubitsukuri) similar crown fall made, but to keep the original cut thickness. Similar to Ti long thin neck, hence the name. Two blade made (も ろ は づ く り, Morohadukuru), double blade upward. After the middle age Harding room with the short sword common. Chicken blade made (bird の yan く び, Penniscutouronreykuri) with choiceness, is famous for its sharp. Japan is ancient and modern as the scalpel can treasure.
The kinds of
Japanese sword is part of the present radian said the (そ り | Sori), but in the position of the blade, with the passage of time, by the sword is the trend of the rear to changed. The main types of the following several kinds. The waist (こ し ぞ り, Koshizori) in the center of the sword in the center of the building and feng slightly lower position. Peace era to end with early age storehouse too knife common. In the (な か ぞ り, Nakazo

Japanese sword development history

Japanese sword development historyEarly tang dynasty in China, China's smelting forging technology and economic get unprecedented development, the high cost of tang dao has been introduced into the han dao smelting skill Japan, but when the emperor of Japan see superior performance superb work of tang dao, also surprise said, only to cast a so superior central plains of the sword. Japan and learning the method of forging tang dao, and to improve it, we become the see the world today owns one of the big three Japanese dao. And after the tang dynasty, China's tang knife forging skills gradually lost (today after the Chinese dao jian potter's efforts have can recovery excellent performance in tang dao). And Japanese sword to its good performance in the world occupies a place in the cold and enjoy a good reputation and fame. Japanese sword form, from late peace, after the northern and southern dynasties, room is storehouse, Harding, Ann soil peach mountain, river 戸 early, middle period, the passage of the act, there's a big change. Main show is from the straight knife to the bending of the change, straight knife for karzai thorn, curved knife to cut with suitable, the reason that has this change is mainly caused by the change of fighting style, from the late start of peace, for the right fight right away, cutting tools are being improved. Japanese sword production, from the late storehouse era is peace, appeared and countries, before for kingdom, and mountain city countries, phase mode kingdom, the strong countries five center, and the local MingJiang coming forth in large Numbers.
In ancient time             
Before the end of the sword of the era of peace are classified as ancient knife, the knife form different from now common Japanese dao, or for straight blade, or with double feng. Ancient dao is rare, is an important archaeological materials. Japan has been the grave age of iron sword. Such as jade of rice by county zanretsuken mountain ancient grave and island gold wrong inscription iron jian
The root of orogenic ancient grave county have iron jian unearthed. From rice mountain ancient grave Hollywood unearthed "gold wrong inscription iron jian" made in A.D. 471, a memorial to serve the male of the emperor and slightly merit, the knife is engraved with 115 Chinese characters. This time the sword has rust. 7-8 th century the sword save after more complete, the famous four heavenly king of the temple bell pepper "how many mooncakes one gets measures son c seven swords, ZhengCangYuan of gold and silver twinkle ZhuangTang long dao, according to research these sword is more for China, north Korea's foreign import. This time, wu (southeast China floorboard) sword is considered to be the best in China, to push the emperor of the ancient poems have appreciated. At the same time foreign forging process large inflow sent Japan's forging level have also risen sharply. ZhengCangYuan keeps a batch of referred to as the "tang broadsword" ancient dao, and referred to as the "tang broadsword sample" copied sword in Japan. Now left over from the early age of the sword of the number of peace is rare. Academic about Japanese sword style of change, and Japan is when to how to create unique curved knife and doubt, is not fully clear. Generally think that the peace middle age (10 century or so) ChengPing rebellious and a day after the disorderly, straight knife for a gradual shift bending. At the same time, production craft is made by flat to the picks made similar diamond knife. Production process improvement make Japanese sword more durable and sharp. This transition is the typical style of a knife blade for the whole piece of iron and become "MaoBa form broadsword" and a blade structure and two front has curved knife against the "little the pill" type knife, MaoBa form in the great ise yamasakigawa Tibetan for the original show the township of the used a most famous.
Too knife era              
Peace times later, especially warrior forces of the most active "nine years before the battle of" and "three years after the battle of" period, warrior caste increase forces, which have made big Japanese sword. If produce the high quality of the "iron countries and the countries for seniors before, and as the political and cultural center of the mountainous country, and countries, appeared different genres knife work, this time of the Japanese sword is mainly used in the battle at once, so much as too knife. This period representative works of active in rivers and mountains LaiGuang beheaded "wine swallowed the lad," the "the boy cut" (" the kingdom AnGang system, jain, this national treasure), and legend let the fox made to help the "little fox pill" (mountain city of the three countries of nearly system, the world war ii were destroyed). In addition to AnGang beyond, mountain city (now the Kyoto) of the three small smelting Pope near, for the former youcheng, are known as the existing name engraved with the producers the most ancient works of the knife work. Peace times too knife characteristics are: picks were made, building temples (い お り む ね, Iorimune), small slice first, the reverse, former narrow wide after dao, beautiful form. In the early age in sickle warehouse Japanese dao and peace end times, similar to the house bill warehouse aides wu political system established, the sword world is very active. After ShangHuang even set the bird feathers on the forging smelting, month called the knife labor forging knife, positive encouragement system knife. Middle age is storehouse, due to the result of the footbridge attention, knife width, and the overall width small change. The blade is a pig first cut first, quality is the sword broadened the wind. At this time the knife make began to prosperity. Bill warehouse the end of the era of two yuan the invasion of the political system and the collapse of the big social unrest bring, making the system knife industry prosperity. The period of Japanese sword is more style than mid storehouse bold and unconstrained. To inherit and carry forward the knife of wide, blade width change the characteristics of small, must first longer. The knife, the knife, too dao are the same appear more than other period long characteristics. In the period, a large number of appeared and different called great too knife, the knife knife wild too large.
Room after Harding
Room after middle age Harding, Japanese sword blade wear down by the knife blade up too to samurai swordsWear the dozen of the knife. Because into peace period, domestic demand, this sword is reduced, Japanese sword started as trade product mass production, so the quality of Japanese dao began to decline. Should the benevolence by a reignite the wars, the sword again demand for inflation, to adapt to the demand of the present a manufactured product, making the Japanese dao quality more down. To edo era, edo (now Tokyo), Osaka (now in Osaka forging industry all prosperity, name all over the knife labor emerging. As a peaceful golden continued, Japanese sword began to blind pursue beautiful blade wen, gradually away from practical essence from. In addition, the era begins tan, small hilt, eye through, such as adornment began cutting tools and developed. At the end of the riots after the start screen, with great water-vessel water is for the center that show the knife forging 錬 method recovery sent again, will practical strong Japanese sword production method carry on. After this sword is called the new 々 knife. As the system knife once again 栄 numerous, the Meiji restoration launch, WuDou banned in 1873, 1876,-

Japanese samurai swords

Japanese sword proportion
The Japanese samurai swords
The handle and the general Japan blade and the proportion is, handle with both hands gripping, PiSha powerful, the bending degree of control in matter dozen "(also called" living within "), or 16.7 mm in feng pointed, chopped here when the biggest strength, very accord with mechanics principle. "House" or back says "ridge" to resist attacks, there are flat, temples, three, four kinds of pills.
Editor this period of forging process
Japanese sword in the mix on the set a high technology, the overall need to pass the knife labor system, quenching, grinding blade after that the knife work with white wooden scabbard to preserve the blade for sale with, and the handle, scabbard, tan with knife for another line when, by special metal (E) work decoration, and each has a teacher. Japan on the history of the knife labor each have factions, still have a plenty of aides in the name of the craftsman, exclusive. Detailed procedure is as follows:
steelmaking
Japanese sword of steel materials, known as and steel (わ こ う, Wakou) or jade steel (た ま は が ね, Tamahagane). Jade to traditional Japanese steel made by indigenous method. This is a low temperature steelmaking method, furnace temperature not over 1000 ℃. This method looks like the original, but compared with the high temperature of modern steelmaking method, can build up the quality ChunLiang good steel. But high temperature build up the steel is soft, easy to build forming, and low temperature build up the steel harder, more difficult to build, can say to make Japanese sword is human intensive fortification, sweat is the product for samurai swords
Quality. According to different regions, different genres, the difference in how much steel components. Generally jade steel contains composition as shown in the table. Jade steel ingredients (period of world war ii: the iron 98.12%-95.22% to 3.00%-0.10% carbon manganese bronze 1.54% 0.11% 0.05% 0.04% 0.02% tungsten molybdenum titanium silicon condemn other trace
Pill forging                 
"Pill forging" is a Japanese sword in the process of forging an important process, that is the first step of knives. That is the knife labor will steel material heated to a man and knock the forging, steel pieces open again after tapping fold knock the and so on and so on, make steel materials to extending. Usually anywhere knock the 7, 8 times, many are 20, 30 times, each time to knock the hundreds of the hammer. For example hammer to 10 times, there will be 1024 layers of steel. Through this process, will be the impurities such as sulfur in steel and excess carbon removal, etc, in order to increase flexibility and tenacity steel. This is like flour-rubbing general, knock the layer of more more, the carbon steel and the various ingredients will be more uniform samurai swords solution map
, the iron crystals may also be more careful, finally the hardere uniform quality steel, to thousands of layer, very tough, and ultimately become texture uniform steel material. Japanese sword on those unique pattern is such hammer out. The hammer forging many methods, such as the forging, wood, the short book was forging forging, MuYe forging, different pattern.
Water reduction
Namely quenching process, quenching the so-called heat treatment, Japan called water reduction (み ず へ し, Mizuheshi). From the point of view of modern material to learn, this step is a potter's control of the carbon steel knife technique. The knife labor will heat and hammer the thickness of the steel into flat for about 5 mm of chip. The seemingly simple process, actually otherwise, in order to control the carbon content of steel, heating time restrictions; And the hardness of the steel and in its renewal gradually cooling, the change. Only experienced the knife labor to grasp the strength of the hammer was change, in a limited amount of heating time of jade steel under a refined into uniform thickness chip. Pieces of steel after forming, knives, trade union water will be its rapid cooling. Can make the steel excess carbon part detachment. Make blade has good elasticity, blade hard not easy gap. The sword to the potter pieces of steel temperature and the amount of water is extremely accurate grasp of, can get the carbon content of the right materials.
Steel collocation
Japanese sword shape or the blade tip no matter in "circle" as the foundation modelling, the blade for arc mainly is the collocation of steel quenching and caused. First of all, the knife labor to carbon content and the blade of hard gold (は が ね, Hagane), skin iron objects (か わ が ね, Kawagane), will be the carbon content and soft heart less iron objects (し ん が ね, Shingane) wrap up, Japanese called made 込 (つ く り こ み, Tsukurikomi), the dual structure is a great characteristic of Japanese sword. The blade of the gold and make the skin iron objects and have appropriate blade hardness not bend. Since then spread to the stage to carbon amount and 焼 into the cooling speed of point and other parts of control the volume of the amount of inflation is poor, so that a strong point of compression stress, make more not easily broken sword, and form the arc of the curved knife.
Grain delay
The shape of the sword will knock the extended into long strips, called the grain delay (す の べ, sunobe), at this stage in the prototype of the basic sword. This step, after the completion of the front part of the union will be knife cut off, to make a point.
spread
"Quenching [1]" finally a fire Smith sequence. The knife labor use first clay, charcoal, powder and stone powder modulation out burning blade soil (や き ば つ ち, Yakibatsuchi), then the blade of forming with burning blade TuBao closure. Blade covered is thinner, picks and the house would is thicker. Basically, Japanese swordThe distribution of burning blade soil by the blade of the finished product, see some idea. Different schools of soil ingredients and burning blade modulation method also have different. Sealing good blade can be put in the 750 ℃ 760 ℃, the fire. The knife labor with experience of judgment by fire color furnace temperature, if more than 800 ℃ temperature above, it will affect the strength of the sword. After certain heating time, knives, potter will put them rapidly cooling water sword, the other a hardening procedure. Through this step more sharp knife become more hard, blade produce radian, knife surface create a layer of very strong "madden, crystal" or said "MaTian medium" (Martensite). The so-called madden, crystal (MaTian medium) in short, that is high temperature crystal structure for the sake of urgent cold, which is lock in carbon atoms of grain to produce "the firm" (Metastable) state, so there was a big crystal of the internal tension, cause "hard" effect. And after this step by the edge of the sword and the border produce as sprinkle YinSha

Japanese sword

                                                                  に ほ ん と う        

  Japanese sword (に ほ ん と う, Nihontou), the improvement of the tang dynasty, tang dao and become, in Japan, also known as dao (か た な, Katana). Called the plane for AnGuang decorative pattern complex body broken blade, the world three name one of the blade. Based on shape, size is divided into too knife, play knife knife), stalking, poor (threat point to), short sword, etc. The general also includes a long razor, swords, guns, etc. Since the ancient times as a weapon and with its beautiful modelling is famous, owns a lot as a fine art collection, and thus suggesting the soul of the samurai symbolic significance. And the sword of the other countries of different Japanese dao, one of the largest characteristic is in shape outside decoration blade itself show a sense of art. In Japan the system knife are called the knife labor "and" knife potter ", or "knife forging smelting".

想买一把日本刀吗
Want to buy a Japanese sword

bilboa

                                                                 bilboa

 We aim to make this the best site on the web for anything to do with Japanese swords. We sell the best quality sword supplies, including urushi and samekawa, and the best reproduction sword fittings available. You will not find any cheap imitations here that will wear out in next to no time flat. If a tsuka-ito or sageo says 'silk', then you can take it that it is top quality Japanese silk woven in Japan according to traditional patterns specifically for use with swords or armour, not a cheaper alternative. If it says 'silver', then it is silver of a quality that, by UK law, should be hallmarked in the UK.

We are prepared to ship swords anywhere and have legally delivered to most countries. If you are interested in buying a sword but can't find the one you want here, or are unsure of exactly what you want, contact me and let me know your budget. If you want to be on my mailing list and get first refusal on new swords, click the link on the menu to the left. If you want a sword made for you, ask. If you want a sword for martial arts, talk to us. Finally, if you can't afford the sword you want in one go, we accept part payments .

Fantasy Swords.

   For those who are avid fans of fiction, legends, sorcery, Swords.com has an amazing choice of fantasy swords to choose from. Whether you're a collector, a sword enthusiast, or an re-enactor, you can rest assured that you are getting the best quality fantasy swords. We have different types of fantasy swords for sale which can transport you to another world. Our collection includes dragon swords, pirate swords, popular anime swords like Bleach swords, and Naruto swords, and video game swords such as Final Fantasy, Halo, and Legend of Zelda. A fantasy sword can be incredibly intricate and visually stunning - bound only by the designer's imagination. Intricately designed, finely crafted, and made of superior quality materials, our swords are also ideal for home and office decor. Some items come with wooden plaques and are ready to be mounted on your wall.

The Japanese samurai swords culture

                                                                bushido
      Japanese bushido cannot leave the Japanese samurai swords
   "A" is a word to appear only in edo era, the thought of Confucianism bushido borrow the "loyalty" and "brave" zen "life and death as ideas, and in the belief of the emperor thought Shinto mix made from the heavy. The origin of bushido to Japan national Shinto Shintoism and Buddhism and, as well as the dama and Asia or even the countries all over the world culture. It is Japanese samurai class must strictly abide by the principles. Bushido what is? To cap it all, the secret is see through the bushido death, "not afraid of death" and give priority to prince lay down his life for his without reservation commitment. The idea is to the traditional Confucian "and the word" a reactionary. The Confucian doctrine of "the word" exquisite king's teachings, "Robinson righteousness close", "the father and son TRW" human values, but Japan "bushido" is not afraid of death, like a prince mainly of consciousness as a

fundamental, emphasize "not as a souvenir of death, haobuguji death, not hesitate to death"! Shinto faith foundation is all wrong. So on character of bushido easily lead to extreme duality: from crazy and inferior; Believes in Buddhism and homicidal; Pay attention to the etiquette and savage brutality; Pursue scientific and insist on superstitious; The weak and the strong obedience oppression, and so on. Attention is on the bushido discipline, "gentleman does not king" (king BaoNveWuDao) and do not "I not minister" (I not minister way), who was faithful is absolutely value. China's original Confucianism is filial piety for this, the filial is an absolute value. If "the father had", the son "three suggestion does not listen, and is th cry and then", but if "king had", I "three suggestion does not listen, and ran." Critics of bushido, the Confucian doctrine of "the ways of" but the whitewash afraid to die of greed, slow to ethical and pay attention to the Lord the king how ethics, just choose life and death, is facing death but not simply go to dead. Only pure awareness o
Bushido is drive the samurai swords the development of culturewww.aswordshop.com

a Japanese sword specialist, and 7

7. How important is the functional aspect of a blade for a collector? After all, it should be the most important factor to determine the ‘real’ quality of a blade. Or do I need to ask, is there a difference in forging a display and practical/functional blades?
Ideally, a blade forged for artistic purposes should still be fully functional. Obviously, the primary function of a sword is to cut. However, as they are an anachronism in modern society, this becomes a complex question in the case of traditional Japanese swords.
Presently, there are modern steels that are much more effective than tamahagane at meeting the functional requirements of not bending, not breaking, and cutting well. However, these modern materials do not meet with the Japanese traditional, aesthetic, and spiritual elements. If these modern steels were employed it would render the Japanese sword a mere weapon (just like the currently banned mass-produced gunto of WWII).
For example, if you look at mono-steel blades produced outside Japan that do not require a hamon, you tend to find that they are buffed along the cutting edge to give the appearance of having a hamon, or are differentially hardened to imitate one. However, when comparing a buffed edge or the line produced by differential hardening on a mono-steel blade to the hamon of real Japanese swords, you will notice the absence of the depth of activities in the steel. For example, mono-steel blades lack the interaction between the subtle pattern of the folded steel and the visible martensite crystals in their various combinations that make each traditionally made Japanese blade unique. Therefore, Japanese smiths reject these very tough modern steels in favor of traditional raw materials that still produce durable blades but also meet the Japanese aesthetic, and in turn remain uniquely Japanese. Do these swords that are made with traditional raw materials have to be functional? Yes! Are they as resilient as modern steels? No—but that is not really the point. The point is a myriad of reasons that go back over fifteen hundred years in Japanese history. Any blade made today in Japan as an art-sword must be 100% functional. Otherwise it does not classify as a sword, only merely a pretty steel bar. Conversely, a three-foot steel bar fashioned into the shape of a Japanese sword and made razor sharp doesn’t make a Japanese sword either.
There are many collected antique Japanese swords that have acquired flaws over time such as hagiri (cracks in the cutting edge), or the appearance of fukure (blisters) that have rendered them unusable as weapons. However, because they have acquired antiquity and retain all of the criteria that make them a Japanese sword, they are still collected. Additionally, through the criteria required of a Japanese sword, the blades become appraisable to period, region, or possibly even maker. Appraisal of this degree will not be able to be applied to modern made mono steel blades. However, that is not to say that these disposable type blades do not have their place in modern martial arts. I say ‘disposable’ in the mass-produced sense of the kazu-uchi type blades that were made during the periods of heavy civil warfare in Japan. Kazu-uchi blades are purely functional and are deemed inferior to the better made, more aesthetic collected blades. Therefore, kazu-uchi blades, despite their antiquity and functionality, are not desired by collectors. Additionally, mass-produced gunto (separate to traditionally made gunto) of the Second World War are classed as offensive weapons in Japan and are declared illegal. Many collectors outside Japan take a similar view, and mass-produced gunto are more likely to be collected as militaria than as traditional Japanese swords.
In summary, functionality is a requirement but not the only factor to be fulfilled for Japanese sword collectors. They must have a recognizable hada, hamon and the associated activities. They must also have a recognizable shape that attributes it to a particular period. Japanese swords are unique in that the blade alone is intrinsically beautiful and recognized as a steel work of art brought to life by a polishing method that is just as unique. Many modern made Japanese style swords (made only outside Japan) only meet the functional aspect, and are therefore not appealing to genuine Japanese sword collectors. Some are even folded and most exhibit a pattern along the cutting edge that attempts to resemble a hamon. However, on closer inspection they are easily distinguishable from the real thing by the lack of activities in the hamon. Whereas modern Japanese swords made by licensed smiths in Japan, follow traditional manufacturing methods based upon years of passed down knowledge and experience. It is not something that can be learned from a book or the internet. Additionally, since the demise of the warrior class in Japan, there has been no call for further changes in shape or dynamics. Therefore, all modern made Japanese swords are based upon shapes and workmanship styles of bygone eras. There are no generically shaped Japanese swords

a Japanese sword specialist, and 6

6. With all the knowledge, tools and sources Japanese swordsmiths have these days, how and where are they different from the swordsmiths back in the old days ? You often hear people say that back in the good old days, their skills were much better than the modern swordsmiths. If that statement is indeed true, why the old swordsmiths are still outperforming the modern one’s?
This depends on what you deem to be “outperforming.” Modern swordsmiths are very confident that they are making blades that are just as functional and as beautiful as ancient blades. Some modern smiths are even making blades that are being mistaken for Ko-Bizen school works. Personally, when it comes to modern smiths I think that we live in exciting times. In Japan, all of the top polishers judge and view all of the entries to the annual sword making competitions, and are just as impressed with a great shinsakuto (newly made sword) as they are with a great Koto blade. The snobbery of Koto blades being superior to shinsaku/gendai blades is gradually dissipating.
One of the main arguments is that swords have not really been employed since the end of the Koto period, so swords made since then have never really been put to the test. However, this point of view must be kept in perspective. Swords were never really the primary weapon. They were used as a last resort for close combat, self-defense, or duels. There have always been more efficient weapons for fighting the enemy at a greater distance: bows, yari, naginata and the later introduction of the gun. This is why so many great examples of Japanese swords have survived in tremendous condition. We must also consider the differing east/west perspective on swords too. To the Japanese, the sword is not merely a weapon, it is an intrinsically beautiful sacred object, with many preserved because of their presentation to shrines.
However, at the same time, swordsmiths are very proud artisans and have 100% confidence in the functionality of their work. In my DVD Art of the Japanese Sword, I interviewed several swordsmiths including Mukansa swordsmith Kawachi Kunihira. He stated that as he began making swords just after the war, his swords had never been tested in battle, so he was worried that they would not be effective. However, his teacher, Living National Treasure Miyairi Shohei who had made swords during the WWII said, “I know my swords cut well. Follow my methods with no mistakes, and your swords will be effective too.” Additionally, in Japan they still test blades on TV from time to time, cutting armor, shooting them with 50 mm full metal jacket rounds, cutting steel sheets, and they still do as what they are supposed to: not bend, not break, and cut well.

From an aesthetic perspective, as I mentioned earlier, many smiths are researching jigane and are beginning to be able reproduce characteristics from what is commonly referred to as the golden age of swordmaking; the Kamakura period. Many smiths test their skills or fulfill the wishes of their customers by making utsushi-mono (facsimile) of famous blades or national treasure blades. However, when smiths are aiming at the workmanship a particular school, this is not to say that they are hoping to emulate the work of specific smith, but to encapsulate the characteristics of that school and incorporate them with their own style and character. For example, the smiths Nagamitsu, Sanenaga, and Sanemitsu all worked contemporarily within the Osafune school, but they all retained their individuality. This is the same for today’s smiths. They want to achieve results similar to that of bygone eras, but still want their work to be recognizable according to their personal characteristics.

a Japanese sword specialist, and 4 and 5

4. Is there a certain style/school/period you like and why?
I enjoy each blade for its own merits including shinsakuto.
5. Let’s say we have a +500 years old blade (maybe unsigned) in our hand that seems to be preserved very well at first sight. How do we determine it’s origins and health? It may have been used in many battles and most likely had a lot of ‘facelifts’ through the years to keep it ‘nice looking’.
This is a complex subject that cannot be answered simply. We discuss this in depth in our book Facts and Fundamentals of Japanese Swords (Kodansha international), I would recommend further reading on it there.
As for determining its origins, one must look at the sugata (lit. shape, but also incorporates dynamics) to determine the period. Next, by looking at the folding pattern of the hada, in combination with the hues and textures of the jigane, one can determine where in Japan, or by which school the blade was produced. Then, finally, as one inspects the pattern and quality of the hamon, it is possible to determine the actual maker of the blade by the idiosyncrasies in his hamon application procedures. Like analyzing handwriting, the smith’s habits appear in the consistency of his hamon through the timing of his quench, and the activities that appear in the hamon through the way he applies the clay.
However, from a more pragmatic point of view, as the workmanship of blades is subjective, there is no 100% guarantee of a correct attribution to the maker of a blade that is unsigned, or has had the signature removed. The most that can really be gleaned from the blade is the school, or tradition. Any speculation beyond this is purely the appraiser’s opinion. Some opinions are more reliable than others, but unless you were there at the time of the forging of the blade, or the time of the signature removal, it is only an educated guess as to who the maker is. In the Koto period, smiths had many students, and the many students’ work is likely to be similar to the teachers’. It is also estimated that during the Koto era there were at least one or two smiths per village all over Japan, therefore increasing the chances of many unrecorded smiths, and the possibility that blades similar in workmanship to mainline smiths, or of unknown origins were made.
Today with the improved techniques of polishers, many polishers are able to hide most flaws, and the appearance of a blade can change radically from one polish to the next. The objective of a modern art polisher today is to recognize from which tradition, school or maker the blade is from, and bring out the correct shape and characteristics that correspond with that attribution. However, the nugui application alone can change the tone of a blade and help to hide umegane repairs and the like.
However, blades can only diminish with age; steel lost through battle damage or numerous polishings cannot be replaced. There is an old adage amongst polishers: “You can take it (steel) off, but you can’t put it back on.” This is to remind polishers to be conservative at all times when polishing blades. So, when looking at a blade it is helpful to know what a healthy example of a sword from the same period should look like. First, check the overall sugata, and compare it mentally to a healthy example. Then check for funbari in the area from the machi and a couple of inches above. If there is no funbari, this means that the blade may have been adjusted or shortened (okurimachi/suriage). Also check for nakago funbari. The area of the nakago that meets the machi should fan out. If it does not, this could mean that the nakago has been filed down just below the machi to accommodate wear to the cutting edge. Does the hamon run off? Does it have an original boshi? Are there patches of plain steel or different hada amongst the overall hada? These could be patches of core-steel coming through the skin-steel. These are all classic indications that a blade may be ‘tired’, or worn.
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a Japanese sword specialist, and 3

3. The Japanese Sword has gone through a lot of characteristic changes throughout the history but there’s very little information to find (at least in English) about changes throughout the forging process and or the relation between forging and characteristic changes of the katana. Has there been a big evolution there as well?
I have not seen much written on it, and I believe that there is no conclusive evidence, but essentially is would seem that the main processes remain relatively unchanged. However, I do know that many of today’s smiths spend quite a lot of time researching jigane through trial and error in order to try to reproduce the similar results as to that of earlier periods or schools. I have also discussed this with some researchers and specialists and the general consensus seems to be that it is thought that originally the billets were formed from small nuggets, or whole chunks of tamahagane. The mizu-heshi process of flattening chunks of tamahagane, breaking it into smaller 2 cm diameter pieces and stacking it, was introduced around the start of the Shinto era of sword making. Also, generally speaking, the number of times the steel was folded (less folds, larger hada) has changed depending on school and era. For instance, early Koto era blades tend to have larger hada, whereas Shin-Shinto blades tend to have a rather tight hada.
Additionally, there are theories that the application of clay in the differential hardening process was a later addition, or that there was a different method. The evidence to support this theory is the continual gradual contrivance of the shape of the hamon from its original natural midare, and the disappearance of utsuri. When blades are quenched using a method that does not include a clay insulator, the chances of producing a form of utsuri increase dramatically. This can be seen in the works of modern swordsmith Sugita Yoshiaki. However, this is not a recent discovery. Smiths have been aware of this for some time, but the objective for them has now become controlling and producing other forms of utsuri like choji, jifu and the like.

a Japanese sword specialist, and 1

Paul Martin , Japanese Sword Specialist

1. Lots of people are interested and or fascinated by the beauty of the katana but besides absorbing some general info on the web and watching some documentaries, 98% doesn’t get any further than that. How and why did you ended up in this fascinating world of the Japanese sword?
My interest began in much the same way as many people’s did—through participation in martial arts. I would hear about samurai spirit and bushido, etc. This of course led to an interest in Japanese cinema and Kurosawa, and Kobayashi Movies. This was the beginning, but then in 1993, I joined the British Museum and saw Japanese swords up close for the first time. I had always thought that Japanese swords were cool, but I had only ever really seen them strapped to the hip of cinematic samurai. I was immediately captivated by the metallurgical activities in the hardened edge, and the hues and textures of the steel itself. Until that moment, I had never realized that there was such a thing as a Japanese sword specialist, and I think that it was in that same moment I decided that I wanted to be one.
My epiphany coincided with an element of luck. At that time the only Japanese trained sword specialist in the UK was the keeper of the department of Japanese Antiquities: Victor Harris. Victor was a direct student of Kanzan Sato and the first translator of Miyamoto Musashi’s book Go Rin no Sho: A Book of Five Rings. He also understood the sword in its spiritual capacity and was a Japanese fencer (Kendoka). The chances of finding a mentor like this are very rare. From that point on I worked very hard studying Japanese language, kendo and swords until a position in the Japanese department became available. Even then I had to compete for the position, but my enthusiasm for the subject won through. I was consequently given responsibility for the care of the Japanese arms and armor collections.
I later realized that even staying at the British Museum for all of my working life would not allow me to study Japanese swords to the fullest. I decided that if I wanted to become a sword specialist in the Japanese sense, I would need to go to Japan and study all aspects including kantei and oshigata drawing like a Japanese sword specialist.
2. There’s always a lot of discussion about real and ‘fake’ tamahagane. So the question of course : can tamahagane produced outside of Japan (by either a kera oshi tatara or zuku-oshi tatara ) still get the label ‘real tamahagane’ ? After all, we tend to forget that the process of producing tamahagane was introduced by the Chinese (and the Korean?).
This is a rather complex question and subject to one’s point of view. In the metallurgical sense, you could say ‘yes, that all steel produced from the same raw materials of iron (Fe) and carbon (C), using the kera-oshi method or zuku-oshi method produces a form of ‘Japanese-type steel’ for sword production even outside Japan.
However, even inside Japan, we have to begin by defining what is ‘real tamahagane’? Is the locally produced tamahagane of the Kamakura period the same as Edo period tamahagane when centralized smelting took place and steel was shipped along the main roads? Is kera-oshi real tamahagane, or is decarburized zuku-oshi the real steel? Are Shinto era blades made from nanban-tetsu not real Japanese swords? Even today, not all smiths use tamahagane made at the Nitto-ho tatara in Shimane, and many of the ones that do add their own special ingredients trying to emulate a distinctive jigane of a particular smith or school.
Additionally, just as it can be argued that the differences in locally gathered raw materials used for the jigane of the different traditions within goka-den can be distinguished in the hues and textures in a completed blade, a difference can be seen in both the manufacturing methods and the steel itself on non-Japanese made blades. This is not a new discovery by any means, it is said that there are distinguishable factors between continental (Chinese and Korean) made chokuto and domestic chokuto of Japan’s Ancient and early Heian periods that are kept in the Shosoin imperial repository, Nara. Both China and Korea were rich in iron ore, but as it was expensive for Japan to import ore, it resulted in iron and steel production techniques using sand-iron flourishing in Japan. It is undeniable that the steel technology came from China and Korea, but once steel and sword making took off in Japan it began to immediately develop its own characteristics culminating in the introduction of the distinctive curve into the blade.
However, rather than just judging the raw materials alone, we must look at the characteristics of a completed blade as it is not only the jigane that separates Japanese made blades from their non-Japanese counterparts. Swordsmiths in Japan do not just produced a blade with a curve in it and call it a katana or a tachi. The Japanese swordsmith is also something of a connoisseur. He must also study sugata and understand the different shapes of the various periods, and the subtle difference in the sugata of the school that he is aiming for. All smiths in Japan are aiming for a specific school or tradition, and are not just making ‘generic’ Japanese style swords. I think that just as importantly as researching jigane, to be successful, ‘Japanese style bladesmiths’ should also be studying other aspects such as sugata, the related activities produced in a hamon, and should focus their work by aiming at the workmanship of a specific school in a specific era.