The Art of the Japanese Sword: As Taught by the Experts

Well over a thousand years old, the tradition of sword-making in Japan is one of the most highly regarded metal crafts in the world. When sword manufacture was prohibited after World War II, the age-old techniques were in danger of being lost forever. Today, the art is making an astonishing comeback in the hands of a new generation of wordsmiths. Connoisseurs say that the swords being produced now are as good if not better than anything made in Japan in the past few hundred years.

In this book, master wordsmith Kunihira Kawachi takes the reader into the world of Japanese swords. He begins by showcasing in beautiful color photographs a number of swords that he has either crafted or restored, and then goes on to a section of questions-and-answers that covers many interesting aspects of sword culture. After an easy-to-follow and thorough chapter devoted to the care and appreciation of Japanese swords, he then discusses several legends concerning the six more famous swordsmen in Japanese history. All that is followed by a section that illustrates very clearly how a wordsmith begins with raw steel made in a traditional charcoal-fueled smelter and then refines it by folding and forging, gradually shaping it into a beautiful finished sword.

After a short pictorial section that highlights several aspects of the life of a swordsmith, the book comes to a close with interesting essays by five people--ranging from master ceramic artist Kichiemon Raku to Kawachi's wife. Excellent and clear photographs, both in color and black-and-white, show every stage of the manufacture, while important information on history, metallurgy, care, appreciation, and appraisal is also presented.

The swords made in Japan today are not, of course, intended for actual use. But their design, the quality of their steel, and the techniques used to creat them still derive from the sword's historical function as a lethal hand-held weapon. A sword must be razor sharp, light, well-balanced, and strong, but not so brittle that it will break. In the perfect resolution of these qualities lays the beauty of the blade and the challenge of the craft--and this book demonstrates how brilliantly Japan's sword craftsmen today have met this technological challenge.

Despite its modest size, this is an extremely dense book, packed with information--not a single line is wasted. The Art of the Japanese Sword is a must for anyone interested in Japanese swords, be they swordsmiths, martial artists, collectors, or just people interested in Japan and its samurai culture. The book provides so much essential information that any martial artist or collector planning to invest in a fine blade cannot afford not to read it--in order to avoid many a disappointment.