If you are attracted by beauty of the sword, why don’t you purchase it? Sword has been not only the symbol of samurai spirit but also known as gift in special occasions. Japanese people today still regard sword as special gift. Ken Takakura, one of the most popular and famous Japanese cinema actors who played a role of samurai in many films, is known that he sent swords to his close movie director, co-workers and friends. Swords can be either private or corporate gift. Sword as gift perfectly suits the situation such as celebration of opening a new office, memorial of important contraction, or symbol of tight bilateral relationship. Sword is definitely unique and eternal gift that can remain next several generations.

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“I sometimes have to go through the hell to pursue the ultimate sword,” says master sword smith Akihira, one of roughly 10 active sword smiths and the most passionate. Unlike most of the other living sword smiths, he began honing his skills at the age of 25, after graduating from college and working some years as a salesperson.

He was bestowed the name ‘Akihira’ from his master after completing his 5-year apprenticeship. Akihira opened his own smithy immediately after gaining independence, unusual for young sword smiths. Many newly-minted sword smiths stay at their master’s place for some years as it is often difficult to find new clients. Serving as an apprentice is never easy, but through hard work Akihira was able to quickly hone his craft and draw the clients needed to

The last two steps are handed to different masters.

3) Togi / polishing

The sword is passed on to a specialist for polishing. This step of the construction serves a dual purpose: to sharpen the blade and reveal its inner beauty. Polishing is a laborious process made all the more difficult by the careful use of many different grades of polishing stones. Coarse stones are used first to shape the blade. Then, progressively finer stones are used to refine the blade’s surface.

4) Shiage / fittings

The basic function of a Japanese sword mounting is the protection of the blade. However, mounting styles, koshirae, differ according to era. The preparation of a mounting requires the handiwork of several different skilled craftsmen: the scabbard maker, lacquerer,

Step 2) Sword making

Tanren / tempering

The iron pieces, still piled onto spatula, are then heated in the fire. The iron is repeatedly heated and pounded until the desired degree of steel is obtained. This process determines the quality of iron. pounded with the help of lye  (an alkaline solution, often used for washing or cleansing), the iron becomes purer and stronger, turning to steel.

Shingane & Hi-zukuri / forming

Two separate pieces of the finished steel are fitted together to form the core and skin of the sword. Repeated pounding molds the steel into a bar which the master then shapes into a rough blade with a special shaver and fields .

Tsuchioki & Yaki-ire / shaping

A coating of clay is applied to the blade.