Download or read book Cutting Targets With The Japanese Sword written by Richard Babin and published by Paladin Press. This book was released on 2005-11-01 with total page 328 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Richard Babin demonstrates the arts of test cutting (tameshigiri) and sworsmanship (battodo). With co-author, Sensei Bob Elder, founder and president of the US Federation of Battodo and the US Federation of Toyama Ryu, Babin covers every aspect of the test-cutting process, including the selection of an appropriate blade, the construction of targets and stands, and the mechanics of cutting, all while emphasizing safety and proper attitude. This invaluable guide also teaches modern swordsmen how to completely rehabilitate a military sword for use in cutting, including straightening, sharpening and polishing the blade and making a new handle and scabbard.
Download or read book Intrinsic Values of the Japanese Sword written by Michael DeMarco, M.A. and published by Via Media Publishing. This book was released on 2015-10-03 with total page 155 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The famed samurai sword (nihonto) represents the pinnacle of bladed weaponry in the Japanese warrior’s arsenal. This book addresses the sword’s intrinsic historic, monetary, military, and artistic values. The seven chapters for this particular anthology were selected from materials published in the Journal of Asian Martial Arts. Tharp’s chapter details aspects of the nihonto that make it unique in the world as a valued objet d’art, protected by law codes specifically written to preserve these cultural relics even when made by contemporary master smiths. DiCristofano writes on sword sketchings, which allow the human eye to view details of the sword blade often unnoticed because of the subtlety inherent in the work. Hoshino’s chapter presents a overview of various blade types. His focus on blades leads to the next chapter by Richard Babin on how to make a scabbard. “Test cutting” provides proof of the practicalily of the sword and swordsman’s technique. Peter Ward utilized an ancient diagram of main targets for body cuts and modern technology to actually view the inner structures of the blade’s path along these targets. Peritz’s chapter presents the Ainu, an indigenous group in Japan. They incorporated blades made by Japanese smiths according to their own taste. Goedkoop’s chapter deals with another medium, as the master craftsman creates wooden replicas of Japanese swords. As you read other books and articles about Japanese swords, or practice kendo or iaido, or see highly polished blades in a museum, the chapters here will enhance your knowledge and appreciation of nihonto and their intrinsic value.
Download or read book Tameshigiri The History and Development of Japanese Sword Testing written by Markus Sesko and published by Lulu.com. This book was released on 2014-07-03 with total page 380 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The legendary sharpness of Japanese swords is widely known, and through the activities of various martial arts practitioner's information on tameshigiri has also become more accessible in the recent years. But, for a large part, this information focusses on modern cutting tests and only briefly discusses the historical aspect. As far as sword collectors are concerned, the subject of tameshigiri has been approached by several experts in the past, but here too information is rather limited. This publication systematically processes this subject for the first time to provide an overview of the historical aspect of tameshigiri. Not only are the developments from mere sword tests to systematic cutting tests are addressed, it also explains the sword testers, the various cuts and set-ups for cuts, and the practice of recording cutting test results on sword tangs for example. It is rounded-off by a reference section which provides examples of tameshi-mei.
Download or read book Art of the Japanese Sword written by Yoshindo Yoshihara and published by Tuttle Publishing. This book was released on 2012-09-10 with total page 592 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: 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
Download or read book Modern Japanese Swords and Swordsmiths written by Leon Kapp and published by Kodansha International. This book was released on 2002 with total page 244 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: 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.
Download or read book The Spirit of the Sword written by Nakamura Taisaburo and published by North Atlantic Books. This book was released on 2013-03-05 with total page 345 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Nakamura Taisaburo's landmark book on the art of the sword includes technical information, thoughtful analysis, and fascinating recollections of his own training and teaching. One of the most famous Japanese swordsmen of the twentieth century, Nakamura sensei is widely acknowledged as the preeminent reinvigorator of the practice of tameshigiri (test cutting) as a test of technical and spiritual mastery. The Spirit of the Sword--first published in Japanese in 1980, now translated into English for the first time--is regarded by many as the most complete of Nakamura's writings on Japanese swordsmanship. Here Nakamura instructs the reader on the integration of iaido, kendo, and tameshigiri; the correct mental approach to sword practice; training methods; numerous kata or forms; a guide to sword maintenance; and historical notes on the use of the sword as a weapon. Illustrated with over 800 original photographs, this book is a must-have for any student of the Japanese sword and an excellent resource for sword enthusiasts in general.
Download or read book Inventing the Way of the Samurai written by Oleg Benesch and published by Past and Present Book. This book was released on 2014 with total page 305 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Inventing the Way of the Samurai examines the development of the 'way of the samurai' - bushido; - which is popularly viewed as a defining element of the Japanese national character and even the 'soul of Japan'. Rather than a continuation of ancient traditions, however, bushido; developed from a search for identity during Japan's modernization in the late nineteenth century. The former samurai class were widely viewed as a relic of a bygone age in the 1880s, and the first significant discussions of bushido at the end of the decade were strongly influenced by contemporary European ideals of gentlemen and chivalry. At the same time, Japanese thinkers increasingly looked to their own traditions in search of sources of national identity, and this process accelerated as national confidence grew with military victories over China and Russia. Inventing the Way of the Samurai considers the people, events, and writings that drove the rapid growth of bushido, which came to emphasize martial virtues and absolute loyalty to the emperor. In the early twentieth century, bushido; became a core subject in civilian and military education, and was a key ideological pillar supporting the imperial state until its collapse in 1945. The close identification of bushido; with Japanese militarism meant that it was rejected immediately after the war, but different interpretations of bushido; were soon revived by both Japanese and foreign commentators seeking to explain Japan's past, present, and future. This volume further explores the factors behind the resurgence of bushido, which has proven resilient through 130 years of dramatic social, political, and cultural change.
Download or read book Cutting Edge written by Victor Harris and published by . This book was released on 2005-03-15 with total page 168 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: First published: London: The British Museum Press, 2004.
Download or read book Samurai Swords for the Material Battle written by Otto Maxein and published by BoD – Books on Demand. This book was released on 2021-04-30 with total page 214 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: With the advent of World War I, infantry rapiers or cavalry sabers had practically become obsolete on the European battlefields due to the introduction of machine weapons and tanks. At the same time, in Japan, the samurai sword experienced an impressive renaissance due to the growing demand of Japanese officers for traditionally forged swords. Samurai Swords for the Material Battle tells the story of the last Samurai Swords forged for battle and answers the question of why Japan's soldiers entrusted their fate to these swords in the inferno of material battles. Impressive visual documents tell of the events of that time and allow the viewer to imagine the hell through which the soldiers of all warring parties went. Using the example of the works of contemporary swordsmiths, the author not only proves the art status of these swords. He also examines the question of whether only swords from Tamahagane can be genuine Nihon-to. Purists will be shocked by the estimation of a leading contemporary swordsmith who recommended that the Japanese War Ministry supply all swordsmiths with Manchurian steel. Likewise, the estimation of Japanese swordsmen who fought to the death with their swords is likely to turn many Budo devotees' idea of the ideal fighting sword on its head. Based on the personal fates of Japanese soldiers, the author evokes the spirit of the last samurai. The reader can understand how the Japanese sword myth and the samurai's code of honor shaped the Japanese society up to the time of the Second World War and had a decisive influence on their actions. By not looking at the swords in isolation, but placing them in the focus of contemporary historical events, this book differs from many reference books in this genre and complements the existing literature in a unique way. Competently and carefully researched, it is for the connoisseur of the subject as well as for beginners or readers interested in contemporary history a real treasure trove and exciting reading to the end.
Download or read book Japanese Swords written by Colin M. Roach and published by Tuttle Publishing. This book was released on 2014-08-19 with total page 589 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: With over 300 stunning photographs and woodblock prints along with extensive historical and cultural commentary, Japanese Swords is the ultimate authority on Samurai weaponry. Historically, Japanese warriors considered their swords to be far greater than simple weaponry. Their swords were both lethal tools and divine companions -- social and religious icons. Traditionally worn by the samurai as a sign of social status, the Japanese sword represented the junction between the reigning military class and those whom they ruled. Moreover, the samurai sword was a technological and artistic marvel. Many scholars consider it to be the finest sword ever constructed. In terms of symbolism and historical importance, no other blade comes close to the Japanese sword. With a historical, iconographical, and technological perspective, author Cohn M. Roach provides an in-depth study of these magnificent weapons in Japanese Swords. This richly illustrated sword book weaves the blade's primary influences together, tracking its history and illuminating its progress from infancy to grandeur. By studying the evolution of the Japanese sword from this perspective, we better understand Japan and its warrior archetype. Combining research materials from multiple disciplines, Roach uses his expertise as an educator to guide readers through the sword's rise to greatness in a unique way. This book discusses the history, development, and spiritual symbolism of the sword, as well as the esoteric metallurgical techniques used in making it. It also covers the difficult training practices used by skilled swordsmen. Japanese Swords also includes a companion video content featuring a beautifully-filmed documentary that explores the traditional swordmaker's craft. The video content also contains an introduction to the Japanese sword at a sword shop in Kyoto and a visit to a dojo for a beginner's class in the medieval sword-drawing art called iaido.
Download or read book Shinkendo written by Toshishiro Obata and published by . This book was released on 2020-05-30 with total page 256 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Mastering the Samurai Sword written by Cary Nemeroff and published by Tuttle Publishing. This book was released on 2014-09-02 with total page 459 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Memorialized in countless books and movies, the history of Japan's fearsome samurai warriors is known all over the world. Who can forget these Japanese masters' skills with the sword? Today, samurai warriors no longer exist, but their legacy of swordsmanship endures. Now, the way of the samurai sword is learned in the martial arts Iaijutsu and Kenjutsu. This book is the perfect introduction to using this beautiful and ancient weapon. In Mastering the Samurai Sword, you'll learn the sword's fascinating history, its evolution, and the philosophy behind its use. You'll also learn practical guidance for mastering the sword itself. Full-color, step-by-step photographs detail many of the most useful and famous samurai moves, including: drawing the samurai sword guard positions, cutting blows, and blocking falling and rolling techniques, and evasive strategies standing forms and kneeling forms All of the martial arts techniques discussed in the book are performed for readers in the downloadable material to help you perfect your form. Beginners will learn everything from proper attire and behavior in the dojo to how they might practice at home, while more experienced samurai swords people will find a new appreciation for the deeper meaning and tradition behind the graceful way of the sword.
Download or read book Military Swords of Japan 1868 1945 written by Richard Fuller and published by Arms & Armour. This book was released on 1993-03 with total page 127 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "A reference/historical guide to the ""collectable"" market of Japanese military swords. Subjects covered include rebellion swords, Army, Air Force and home-defence emergency-issue swords, civil officials' swords, detail on blades, swordsmiths and markings, and collecting."
Download or read book Encyclopedia of Japanese Swords written by Markus Sesko and published by Lulu.com. This book was released on 2014-09-30 with total page 554 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This completely new encyclopedic reference for the Japanese sword contains about 2,500 terms, many of them illustrated by photos and drawings. The Encyclopedia of Japanese Swords is an A-Z general encyclopedia covering each and every part of the sword: the blade, the mountings, the fittings, and all their different interpretations. Further, this encyclopedia also explains the literal or etymological meaning of each Japanese term and provides an even deeper insight into the subject.
Download or read book The Craft of the Japanese Sword written by Leon Kapp and published by Kodansha International. This book was released on 1987 with total page 176 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: From raw steel to tempered blade, this text presents a visual account of thencient craft of swordmaking as practiced in modern Japan.
Download or read book The Medieval Crossbow written by ELLIS-GORMAN STUART and published by Pen & Sword Military. This book was released on 2022-05-30 with total page 240 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: 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.
Download or read book Samurai Swordsmanship written by Masayuki Shimabukuro and published by Black Belt Books. This book was released on 2011 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Demonstrates and explains the history, construction, sword etiquette, basic targeting and mat cutting using the Samurai sword.
