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Insights into Japanese sword knowledge and culture
Two major organizations issue Japanese sword authentication certificates: the NBTHK and Nihonto Hozon Foundation. This guide explains their grading systems, examination criteria, costs, and when each certificate matters for buyers and sellers.
A detailed explanation of the techniques used by shirasaya craftsmen who specialize in making plain wood storage scabbards for Japanese swords, covering why honoki (magnolia) wood is preferred, the complete production process from wood selection to finishing, and the current shortage of successor craftsmen.
A scientific explanation of how Japanese sword curvature (sori) is formed during the quenching process, covering martensite transformation-induced volume changes, thermal stress, clay coating pattern effects, post-quench correction techniques, and how curvature shape affects practical performance.
An overview of the history and functions of Japanese sword dealer guilds, from the Edo-period kabunakama system to the modern National Japanese Sword Dealers Cooperative Association, covering ties to the Honami family, Tempo Reform disruptions, and contemporary challenges.
The togishi (sword polisher) is the craftsman who determines the final beauty of a Japanese sword, drawing out the hamon, utsuri, and jihada through precise control of whetstone types, stages, and angles.
A metallurgical primer for understanding nihonto: ferrite, pearlite, and martensite microstructures explained in the context of swordmaking, quenching, and folding techniques.
An examination of sword culture during the Horeki-Tenmei period in mid-Edo Japan, focusing on the Tanuma era influence on samurai sword etiquette and tosogu arts.
A detailed examination of the kogai hair pick as a sword fitting: its historical origins, aesthetic development by Edo metalworkers, relationship with kozuka, and surviving masterworks.
An examination of the two-stage division of Japanese swordmaking labor between okaji (steel refinement) and kokaji (blade forging), its historical roots, technical significance, and modern changes.
A detailed analysis of why the yari spear displaced the naginata halberd as the dominant infantry weapon during the transition to the Sengoku period.
An exploration of sword culture, court ritual weapons, and institutional changes during the capital transfers from Nara to Heian (770s-800s).
A practical guide to appreciating nihonto at exhibitions, covering etiquette, key points of observation, and major sword events across Japan.
