1 JJaapp SSwwoorrddss PPaarrtt11 VV11..88..iinndddd 11 77//2266//1100 33::2255::2244 PPMM 2 Part 1 INTRODUCING THE JAPANESE SWORD JJaapp SSwwoorrddss PPaarrtt11 VV11..88..iinndddd 22 77//2266//1100 33::2255::2266 PPMM Japanese Swords C U L T U R A L I C O N S O F A N A T I O N The History, Metallurgy and Iconography of the Samurai Sword Colin M. Roach TUTTLE Publishing Tokyo Rutland, Vermont Singapore JJaapp SSwwoorrddss PPaarrtt11__11440044CCPP..iinndddd 33 1122//1166//1133 1111::4499 AAMM Published by Tuttle Publishing, an imprint of Periplus Editions (HK) Ltd. www.tuttlepublishing.com Copyright © 2010 Colin Max Roach All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without prior written permission from the publisher. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Roach, C. M. (Colin M.) Japanese swords : cultural icons of a nation / by Colin M. Roach ; foreword by Nicklaus Suino ; sidebar by Abe Kazunori. -- 1st ed. 176 p. : col. ill., col. map ; 32 cm. + 1 videodisc (DVD : sd., col. ; 4 3/4 in.) Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-4-8053-1035-9 (hardcover) 1. Swords--Japan. I. Title. II. Title: Cultural icons of a nation. NK6784.A1R63 2010 623.4’41--dc22 2010012477 ISBN 978-4-8053-1035-9 (Hc) ISBN 978-4-8053-1331-2 (Pb) ISBN 978-1-4629-1575-0(ebook) Distributed by North America, Latin America & Europe Tuttle Publishing 364 Innovation Drive North Clarendon, VT 05759-9436 U.S.A. Tel: 1 (802) 773-8930 Fax: 1 (802) 773-6993 [email protected] www.tuttlepublishing.com Japan Tuttle Publishing Yaekari Building, 3rd Floor 5-4-12 Osaki Shinagawa-ku Tokyo 141-0032 Tel: (81) 3 5437-0171 Fax: (81) 3 5437-0755 [email protected] www.tuttle.co.jp Asia Pacifi c Berkeley Books Pte. Ltd. 61 Tai Seng Avenue #02-12 Singapore 534167 Tel: (65) 6280-1330 Fax: (65) 6280-6290 [email protected] www.periplus.com Hc 14 13 12 11 10 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Pb 16 15 14 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Printed in Singapore 1404TWP TUTTLE PUBLISHING® is a registered trademark of Tuttle Publishing, a division of Periplus Editions (HK) Ltd. JJaapp SSwwoorrddss PPaarrtt11__11440044CCPP..iinndddd 44 22//1100//1144 99::5511 AAMM JJaapp SSwwoorrddss PPaarrtt11 VV11..88..iinndddd 55 77//2266//1100 33::2255::3344 PPMM CONTENTS Dedication 31 CHAPTER 2 Foreword Creating a Japanese Sword Manufacture of Traditionally Smelted Steel 11 INTRODUCTION Refining the Steel By Forge-Folding History, Technology and Iconography Assembling a Sword’s Component Steels Symbolism and the Sword: Lifting the Cultural Veil Elongating the Billet The Sword’s Application Creating the Profile Quench-Hardening the Steel PART 1 Final Shaping Introducing the Japanese Sword The Polishing Process A Brief History of the Japanese Sword and the Importance 19 CHAPTER 1 of Polishing Appreciating the Japanese Sword Spirituality in the Sword Craft Blade Types Distinguishing Blade Characteristics PART 2 History and Culture Sword Tip Design Temperline Patterns Grain Patterns 51 CHAPTER 3 Early Japanese Swords Viewing and Handling Maintenance and Cleaning The Jōmon Period Quality and Value The Yayoi Period Valuations The Kofun Period Availability of Antique and Modern Swords The Sword of the Gods Collecting Japanese Swords The Sword’s Role as an Imperial Icon Purchasing Swords Shinto Stories of Sword-Wielding Deities Shinto In the Smithy The Blades of Ancient Japan Yayoi Period Swords Kofun Period Swords JJaapp SSwwoorrddss PPaarrtt11__11440044CCPP..iinndddd 66 11//33//1144 1100::2244 AAMM 63 CHAPTER 4 137 CHAPTER 7 Nara Period Swords Modern Japanese Swords The Nara Period The Meiji Period and Onward The Sword of Chinese Influence Spirituality, Modernization and Martial Arts Taōism In Japanese Warrior Culture Post-War Period Martial Arts The Sword of Taōism Meiji, Taishō and Showa Period Swords Lao Tzū: A Balance Between War and Wit A Glimpse into Sword-making Apprenticeship Today Chuang Tzū: Swords as Metaphor Japanese Adaptations PART 3 The Art of Swordsmanship The Sword and Martial Spirituality Blades of the Nara Period 159 CHAPTER 8 81 CHAPTER 5 Japanese Swordsmanship Today Medieval Japanese Swords The Classical Art of Iaidō The Heian Period Envision laidō The Kamakura Period The History of Iaidō The Muromachi Period A Living Tradition The Sword of Esoteric Buddhism Swordsmanship Today Buddhist Stories of Sword-Wielding Deities Studying Iaidō Today The Sword of Zen: The Sword of Insight The Sword of Iaidō Heian Period Swords The Sword and Society Kamakura Period Swords Muromachi Period Swords 170 CONCLUSION Passion and Preservation 121 CHAPTER 6 Edo Period Swords Endnotes The Edo Period Bibliography A Scholar-Warrior Ruling Class Photo Credits Edo Period Swordsmanship: A Case Study Index The Fall of the Edo Period Edo Period Swords JJaapp SSwwoorrddss PPaarrtt11 VV11..88..iinndddd 77 77//2266//1100 33::2255::3366 PPMM How to Download the Bonus Material of this Book. 1.. ou must have an internet connection. 2.. ick the link below or copy paste the URL to your web browser. http://www.tuttlepublishing.com/japanese-swords-downloadable-cd-content For support email us at [email protected].