Study of Japanese Swords: Cronological Study of Japanese swords and Japanese history Hardcover – Large Print, August 2, 2021

This book is a series of entry-level lectures on the Japanese sword and its history. It is intended for those interested in the study of Japanese swords.The Japanese sword was designed primarily as a weapon; however, Japanese swordsmiths imbued the blades with qualities of grace and beauty, as well as functional superiority. The intricate surface and texture patterns produced by their highly developed forging and tempering techniques were produced only in Japan. Historically, the Japanese regarded swords as spiritual symbols associated with the Samurai, temples, and shrines. Today, many Japanese regard swords as cultural artifacts made of steel.The variety of sword appearances is closely related to historical events. Textures, contours, and tempering designs are characteristics of a specific school (Den 伝) of swordsmiths. This series of lectures first discusses the history of each period, then explains the swordsmith schools that were active in a specific province at that time. Accordingly, each section begins with a discussion of historical events. It is necessary to discuss the history to understand the sequence of events that affected the swords' form and style. Read more