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 Japanese Swords from American Collections Volume I written by Danny Massey and published by Lulu.com. This book was released on 2019-05-11 with total page 130 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Japanese Swords from American Collections is the first volume of an ongoing series. This effort aims to catalog some of the many swords here in the United States and share them with the world. There are 43 blades featured in this volume. Works span from the Kamakura period up to the 1940's. This book is richly illustrated with over 80 high resolution images, many of winch are full-page composites of multiple photographs. The photography in this book presents the opportunity to study jigane and hataraki in combination with detailed text explanations, creating an excellent learning resource. Those who are new to the study of Japanese Swords will find this to be an exciting introduction to the variety, wonder and beauty of Nihonto. Seasoned students of sword study will look to this series as highly useful research reference. Lastly, this series hopes to convey the typical nature and level of private collections among life-long enthusiasts here in the United States.
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 176 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 DVD featuring a beautifully-filmed documentary that explores the traditional swordmaker's craft. The DVD 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 The Japanese Sword written by Gregory Irvine and published by . This book was released on 2000 with total page 136 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Drawing on the V&A's magnificent collection, this illustrated survey examines the development of the Japanese sword in an historical and social context from the 8th to the 12th century. The development of the sword from its origins as one of the world's most effective cutting weapons in seen in the context of the emergence and development of Japan's ruling military class, the samurai, to whom it was indispensable both as a weapon and symbol of power. The book also deals with the techniques used in the making of the sword and the associated terminology. In addition to weapons from the V&A's own collections, illustrations include comparative materials from Japan's Tokyo National Museum, as well as prints showing graphic depictions of swords in action.
Download or read book Study of Japanese Swords written by Yurie Endo Halchak and published by Alpha Book Publisher. This book was released on 2021-07-23 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: 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.
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 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 Samurai Sword written by John M. Yumoto and published by Tuttle Publishing. This book was released on 2013-01-08 with total page 229 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The samurai sword: a symbol of the spirit of old Japan, it embodies the samurai's steel discipline, unswerving devotion and peerless skill. With its creation, a feat of craftsmanship passed down by generations of artisans, the samurai sword is generally considered to be superior even to the famed blades of Western Damascus and Toledo. The Samurai Sword Handbook is a precise exploration of the samurai sword designed for sword collectors as well as anyone intrigued by these ancient blades. Detailing the origins and development of the samurai sword, its historical background, styles, famous schools and differences in construction, this revised edition of the classic reference outlines methods of identifying and researching the sword, as well as caring for it properly. This must-have for sword lovers is sure to be a bestseller. Topics of this Samurai book include: Japanese History and the Samurai Sword Types of swords Parts of the sword Blade shape, construction, and grain The making of the sword Inscriptions and their readings Care and maintenance Appraisal and value Relative point values
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 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 A Collector s Guide written by Clive Sinclaire and published by Tuttle Publishing. This book was released on 2018-01-30 with total page 414 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Japanese swords, particularly those wielded by famous samurai warriors, hold a continuing fascination for collectors of fine arts and historical military weapons. This book is designed to enhance one's appreciation for the wide variety of Japanese swords (as well as their related polearms), their manufacture and their preservation. A fascinating opening chapter explains how the elite Samurai class dominated Japan for more than a thousand years, how technological and ideological advances overtook the Samurai in the 1860s, heralding a more up-to-date political and military system of governance, and how such changes affected Samurai sword design and manufacture. Subsequent chapters present topics of greatest relevance to today's sword collector: namely, the modern Japanese sword; different types of swords and their construction and testing; collecting and studying Japanese swords (and the tremendously important etiquette involved); and techniques of preserving and polishing swords. This book is beautifully illustrated with paintings, photographs, drawings, and maps. In addition, there is an in-depth glossary and useful tables explaining Japanese calligraphic symbols relating to swords, both of great value to the collector.
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 Nihon shinshinto shi The History of the shinshinto Era of Japanese Swords written by Markus Sesko and published by Lulu.com. This book was released on 2013-10-16 with total page 298 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: I now complete the series with the ,,Nihon-shinshinto-shi", the history of the shinshinto era of Japanese swords, starting from Suishinshi Masahide ́s initiation of a new trend around An ́ei (1772-1781) to the ban on swords issued by the Meiji government in 1876. As with the ,,Nihon-koto-shi" and the ,,Nihon-shinto-shi", the reader should be able to grasp a coherent picture of the backgrounds and scholastic activities around the Japanese sword at the end of the feudal era. Finally, the time scale must not be overlooked: The ,,Nihon-koto-shi" had to deal with roughly 800 years, from the Nara to the end of the Muromachi period, and the ,,Nihon-shinto-shi" comprised ,,just" about 200 years, whereas the shinshinto era lasted only about a century.
Download or read book Katana written by Stephen Turnbull and published by Bloomsbury Publishing. This book was released on 2011-03-15 with total page 82 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Samurai sword of Japan is probably the finest edged weapon ever made. This volume by leading Samurai expert Stephen Turnbull reveals the story of how and why it achieved this distinction. Particular attention is paid to the development of the familiar curved blade from the original straight blades, the associated development of Japan's famous steel-making techniques and the challenges from contemporary warfare. Together with the technical details of forging, polishing, mounting and testing; this volume is brought to life with details of the great swordmakers themselves. Moreover, no history of the sword would be complete without a detailed examination of its use in combat, from the greatest Samurai armies to individual duels and revenge killings. Personal accounts allow the reader to discover the art of Japanese swordsmanship in the hands of masters such as Miyamoto Musashi to the unnamed Japanese warrior defending his family's honour. This lively text is perfectly complemented by artwork reconstructions of the sword in use and colour photographs of the swords in use.
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 Legends and Stories Around the Japanese Sword written by Markus Sesko and published by BoD – Books on Demand. This book was released on 2011 with total page 186 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In the last years and decades several publications and translations on the subject of the Japanese Sword have been published in the West. In this way, the historical background, the characteristics of the blades, smiths, and schools, as well as the art of sword forging, and the sword fittings were introduced and explained. The aim of this publication is now to bring the reader closer to the role the Japanese sword - the nihont - played in the warrior class and the Japanese society, namely by the means of legends, stories, and anecdotes on famous swords and their swordsmiths, embedded in an explanation of the background and other relevant facts. In the end, the reader should have an idea about the high value that was placed on this proverbial legendary weapon that span than a thousand years of Japanese history (and even still today as an object of art). The aim was to obtain a balance between easy access for beginners and detailed facts for confirmed enthusiasts.
Download or read book The Samurai Sword written by John M. Yumoto and published by . This book was released on 2011-10-01 with total page 190 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This best-selling handbook to the samurai sword details the origins and development; its historical background, styles and famous schools; differences in construction; and outlines methods of identifying and researching the sword, as well as caring for it properly.
