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 Read More

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, Read More

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. Read More

Step 1) Tamahagane / raw material iron making

Today, about 80 Japanese sword smiths exist. These masters of their craft continue to make swords in the traditional way. All masters purchase a special iron of superior quality called tamahagane from the western city of Izumo, in Shimane Prefecture, which is the only place that still produces the raw materials necessary for swords. (Actually Izumo is called “home of gods” where all 8million gods in Japan gather here during October.) Custom does not permit the material in question to be imported. The Ministry of Culture defines as a Japanese sword only thos blades made of this special raw material. The tamahagane is made by smelting sand-iron and charcoal together in a traditional clay Read More

The sword became the symbol of the samurai code and even acquired further spiritual qualities. The shape of the sword and its making process have been improved and developed, especially during the period 900 to 1530 AD, when many small fiefdoms existed within Japan. Battles often happened and the sword was considered auseful weapon. Notably, however, it was during the peaceful Edo period that the shape and spirit of the sword was refined and connected with the sense of minimalist beauty embodied by bushido, explained in another post.

Ieyasu Tokugawa united the nation and started a new government system in 1603 which was the beginning of the Edo period. Through the era, a strict class system existed and the samurai were allowed Read More

What do you imagine when you hear the word katana or “Japanese sword”? Japanese anime, such as Naruto, or the samurai killing each other of Takeshi Kitano movies? Well, in Japan, katana are offered to the gods because of their spiritual characteristics. People believed katana have three significant characteristics: purity, rarity, and value. The Japanese myths tell us about the three secret treasures of Japan and katana are one of them, followed by the secret mirror and the comma-shaped beads. The first offering made to the gods was recorded in 3 B.C.

 Became interested in sword? koi Travel offers you a unique sword experience!  

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