Modern Japanese Swords and Swordsmiths

Modern Japanese Swords and Swordsmiths PDF Author: Leon Kapp
Publisher: Kodansha International
ISBN: 9784770019622
Category : Antiques & Collectibles
Languages : en
Pages : 244

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Book Description
A comprehensive overview of the major events in the history of the contemporary Japanese sword and the work of many of the best smiths active today.

Modern Japanese Swords and Swordsmiths

Modern Japanese Swords and Swordsmiths PDF Author: Leon Kapp
Publisher: Kodansha International
ISBN: 9784770019622
Category : Antiques & Collectibles
Languages : en
Pages : 244

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Book Description
A comprehensive overview of the major events in the history of the contemporary Japanese sword and the work of many of the best smiths active today.

Modern Japanese Swords

Modern Japanese Swords PDF Author: Leon Kapp
Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
ISBN: 9781507770122
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 154

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Book Description
The modern era of Japanese swords began with the Meiji restoration in 1868. The demand for new swords fell drastically, and by 1876, there was almost no work for most sword smiths. However, with the expansion of Japanese military organizations, a new demand for traditional swords developed and this became very important by around 1930. As a result of this, there was a large increase in the number of swords being made, and there was an effort to train many new sword smiths. The major groups and people involved in these efforts are described here. In addition, there was a strong emphasis on making fully traditional Japanese swords, and all of these smiths tried to conform with these demands. However, there was not enough of the traditional Japanese steel called tama hagane to meet the demand, and consequently, not all swords were fully traditional, although most did appear to be fully traditional. Almost all of the swords made at this time were also mounted in functional mountings which were suitable for use at this time. These swords are shown and described along with the steel used in their construction, their shapes and hamon. Examples from some of the the most prominent smiths are shown and briefly discussed, and the major schools and groups of sword smiths working at the time are also described. This was the beginning of the Gendaito period for Japanese swords which began with the beginning of the Meiji period at the end of the feudal period. However, these early Gendaito are different in many respects from the traditional Gendaito made after WWII ended in 1945.

The Craft of the Japanese Sword

The Craft of the Japanese Sword PDF Author: Leon Kapp
Publisher: Kodansha International
ISBN: 9780870117985
Category : Antiques & Collectibles
Languages : en
Pages : 176

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Book Description
From raw steel to tempered blade, this text presents a visual account of thencient craft of swordmaking as practiced in modern Japan.

Art of the Japanese Sword

Art of the Japanese Sword PDF Author: Yoshindo Yoshihara
Publisher: Tuttle Publishing
ISBN: 1462909965
Category : Antiques & Collectibles
Languages : en
Pages : 592

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Book Description
In The Art of the Japanese Sword, master swordsmith Yoshindo Yoshihara offers a detailed look at the entire process of Japanese sword making, including the finishing and appreciation of Japanese blades. Japanese sword art stands out in many ways: functionality as a weapon, sophisticated metallurgy and metalsmithing, the shape of the blade itself--all contribute to the beauty of these remarkable weapons. The Art of the Japanese Sword conveys to the reader Japanese samurai sword history and Japanese sword care, as well as explaining how to view and appreciate a blade. With 256 full-color pages, this sword book illustrates in meticulous detail how modern craftsmen use traditional methods to prepare their steel, forge the sword and create the unique hardened edge. By gaining a good understanding of how a sword is actually made, the reader will be able to appreciate the samurai sword more fully. Topics include: Appreciating the Japanese sword History of the Japanese sword Traditional Japanese steelmaking Making the sword Finishing the sword

Study of Japanese Swords

Study of Japanese Swords PDF Author: Yurie Endo Halchak
Publisher: Alpha Book Publisher
ISBN:
Category : Art
Languages : en
Pages : 278

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Book Description
This is a series of entry-level lectures on the Japanese sword and its history for those who are interested in studying Japanese art swords. The Japanese sword was basically designed as a weapon, but Japanese swordsmiths imbued qualities of grace and beauty into the blades as well as functional superiority. The intricate patterns of surface and texture formed by their highly developed forging and tempering techniques were made only in Japan. In the past, the Japanese looked at the swords as a spiritual symbol of Samurai, temples, and shrines. Nowadays, the Japanese regard swords as a cultural art object made of steel. Varieties of the appearance of swords are closely related to historical events. Textures, contours, and tempering designs are characteristics of a particular school (Den 伝) of swordsmiths. This is a series of lectures that discuss each period's history then talk about the swordsmiths' schools that were active in a particular province at the time. Because of that, each section starts with the history of the time. It is necessary to discuss history to see the flow of the events that affected the swords' shape and style.

The Connoisseur's Book of Japanese Swords

The Connoisseur's Book of Japanese Swords PDF Author: Kōkan Nagayama
Publisher: Kodansha International
ISBN: 9784770020710
Category : Antiques & Collectibles
Languages : en
Pages : 384

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Book Description
Connoisseur's Book Japanese Swords is a Kodansha International publication.

Modern Japanese Swordsmiths, 1868-1945

Modern Japanese Swordsmiths, 1868-1945 PDF Author: John S. Slough
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780970708007
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 272

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Book Description


The Japanese Sword

The Japanese Sword PDF Author: Kanzan Satō
Publisher: Kodansha International
ISBN: 9780870115622
Category : Antiques & Collectibles
Languages : en
Pages : 218

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Book Description
One of the foremost experts on the Japanese sword describes their history andppreciations in this book, with photographs and illustrations.

日本刀21世紀への挑戦

日本刀21世紀への挑戦 PDF Author: 土子民夫
Publisher: Kodansha International
ISBN: 9784770028549
Category : Antiques & Collectibles
Languages : en
Pages : 264

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Book Description
New Generation of Japanese Swordsmiths is a Kodansha International publication.

The Medieval Crossbow

The Medieval Crossbow PDF Author: Stuart Ellis-Gorman
Publisher: Pen and Sword Military
ISBN: 152678954X
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 315

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Book Description
An in-depth, illustrated history and technical study of this iconic weapon of the Middle Ages. The crossbow is an iconic weapon of the Middle Ages and, alongside the longbow, one of the most effective ranged weapons of the pre-gunpowder era. Unfortunately, despite its general fame it has been decades since an in-depth history of the medieval crossbow has been published, which is why Stuart Ellis-Gorman’s detailed, accessible, and highly illustrated study is so valuable. The Medieval Crossbow approaches the history of the crossbow from two directions. The first is a technical study of the design and construction of the medieval crossbow, the many different kinds of crossbows used during the Middle Ages, and finally a consideration of the relationship between crossbows and art. The second half of the book explores the history of the crossbow, from its origins in ancient China to its decline in sixteenth-century Europe. Along the way it explores the challenges in deciphering the crossbow’s early medieval history as well as its prominence in warfare and sport shooting in the High and Later Middle Ages. This fascinating book brings together the work of a wide range of accomplished crossbow scholars and incorporates the author’s own original research to create an account of the medieval crossbow that will appeal to anyone looking to gain an insight into one of the most important weapons of the Middle Ages.