Nouveautés — Découvrez les dernières arrivées dans notre catalogue. Voir →
Aperçus sur les connaissances et la culture du sabre japonais
Systematic classification of wakizashi by blade construction (tsukuri-komi): hira-zukuri, shinogi-zukuri, kiribe-zukuri, unokubi-zukuri, and kanmuri-otoshi-zukuri. Their morphological features, historical origins, associated smithing traditions, and how construction type is evaluated in NBTHK shinsa.
The oldest Japanese blade forms—jokoto (ancient swords) and their representative warabite-to—explained through morphology, production methods, and archaeological context. A systematic overview of the sword lineage from Yayoi iron blades through Kofun period ring-pommel swords to Nara-period warabite-to, before the emergence of the curved nihonto.
The Yamato Tradition, originating in Yamato Province (Nara), is one of the Five Great Schools of Japanese swords, formed by five schools: Tegai, Senjuin, Hōshō, Taima, and Shikake. This work provides detailed explanations of the characteristics, techniques, and major works of these religiously-rooted blade-making groups.
Classification of Japanese yari (spears) by form, use, and period. Systematic coverage of the major types—hira-sankaku, sasaho, katakama, jumonji, and kikuchi-yari—their morphological features and combat roles, the evolution of spear forms from the Nanbokucho through Edo periods, and their evaluation today as art objects and martial arts equipment.
A 12-year history of the Yasukuni Kaiko Society Forging Workshop, established in 1933. This institutional history examines the ideals of reviving tradition, the contradictions with military demand, confiscation and dispersal at war's end, and postwar reevaluation.
How filing patterns on the sword tang authenticate swords and reveal their school and period.
A historical survey of Muromachi-period sword culture, covering the mass production triggered by the Onin War, the rise of the uchigatana, and how the age of gekokujo shaped the sword.
The transition from the ancient straight-bladed *chokuto* to the curved tachi of the Heian period, examined through theories of continental (Chinese, Korean, Central Asian) influence and indigenous Japanese development. The functional advantages of curvature, its relationship to mounted combat, and surviving examples of ancient straight swords.
An explanation of the Edo-period swordsmith ranking charts (toko banzuke), modeled after sumo rankings. Covers the master smiths who occupied the top positions during the Shinto and Shinshinto periods, the intentions of the sword appraisers and dealers who created the charts, the content and evaluation criteria of major rankings, and their lasting influence on modern sword valuation.
The types of ritual swords in Shinto and Buddhist contexts: the Three Sacred Treasures (Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi), the Kurikara-ken of Fudo Myoo iconography, the history and significance of shrine and temple votive swords, and how to appreciate divine swords in shrines and museums.
This article explains the functions, designs, creators, and market value of the three auxiliary components—small blades, sword hilt ornaments, and hair pins—incorporated into Japanese sword mountings (koshirae). These small pieces serve as the artistic foundation for unified sword decoration, and as independent crafted works, they hold significant market value as subjects of appreciation and collection.
The catastrophic impact of the 1876 sword prohibition (Haitōrei) on the nihonto industry and smiths, and the subsequent revival through the 'art sword' concept: the transformation of sword dealers into art merchants, the imperial museum's antique sword collection program, and the reframing of nihonto as cultural heritage.
