DAZAIFU, Fukuoka Prefecture--An outstanding collection of Japanese swords that had been ... with the signature of Sadatsuna, a master swordsmith of the Heian Period; a short sword made by a ...

The traditional katana sword is fashioned only from the purest steel, which the Japanese call tamahagane ... The best pieces of tamahagane are sent to a swordsmith, who heats, hammers, and ...

Japanese sword making is a tradition that goes ... He was inspired by a sword made by the legendary 13th century swordsmith Masamune. And after a 5 year apprenticeship and years of training ...

Johan Leutwiler, from Switzerland, is currently Japan's only foreign swordsmith. In a Japanophiles interview, he tells us about being drawn to the world of Japanese swords and sword making.

“From the people who make the steel to the swordsmith to the person who makes the scabbard and on to the polisher. It’s an example of the teamwork ethic of Japanese manufacturing. Nobody ...