Japanese Swords. Cultural Icons of a Nation

182 Pages·2010·40.6 MB·English

by  Colin M. Roach

1
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2 Part 1 INTRODUCING THE JAPANESE SWORD
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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
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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)
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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

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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
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