The Japanese Sword: History, Technique & Culture (Historika) [Print Replica] Kindle Edition

If until recently the admiration for the Japanese sword was confined to collectors and enthusiasts of art objects, the popularisation of martial arts has helped to make its value appreciated by an ever-widening audience. The Japanese Sword - History, Technique and Culture addresses this broader audience, providing a comprehensive guide to the appreciation and evaluation of Japanese sword blades, while also presenting all the necessary background for readers to become part of the circle of connoisseurs in the field.The text offers a concise introductory overview of Japanese history, essential for understanding the origins and development of the Nihontō, the Japanese sword, before moving on to discuss the myths surrounding its emergence. It then focuses on the history of the sword and its manufacture in Japan, delving further into the characteristics that distinguish the various schools of blade production, their respective swordsmiths, specific production methods, polishing, mounting, and blade testing. Considerable space is also devoted to the technical description of the sword and its constituent elements.However, no discussion of the sword would be complete without a detailed examination of its use in combat, the result of the work of warrior schools that undertook the study and teaching of how to master the weapon most representative of Japan's spirit. The author traces the history of the major Koryū, the classical martial schools, and goes on to illustrate the changing role of sword study in modern times with the advent of Dō-type practices and the educational mission of martial arts. Read more