The Art of the Japanese Sword

In The Art of the Japanese Sword, master swordsmith Yoshindo Yoshihara offers a detailed look at the entire process of Japanese sword making, including the finishing and appreciation of Japanese blades.

Japanese sword art stands out in many ways: functionality as a weapon, sophisticated metallurgy and metalsmithing, the shape of the blade itself—all contribute to the beauty of these remarkable weapons. The Art of the Japanese Sword conveys to the reader Japanese samurai sword history and Japanese sword care, as well as explaining how to view and appreciate a blade.

With 256 full-color pages, this sword book illustrates in meticulous detail how modern craftsmen use traditional methods to prepare their steel, forge the sword and create the unique hardened edge. By gaining a good understanding of how a sword is actually made, the reader will be able to appreciate the samurai sword more fully. Topics include:

• Appreciating the Japanese sword
• History of the Japanese sword
• Traditional Japanese steelmaking
• Making the sword
• Finishing the sword

The Art of the Japanese Sword: The Craft of Swordmaking and its Appreciation is written by Yoshindo Yoshihara; Leon Kapp; Hiroko Kapp and published by Tuttle Publishing. The Digital and eTextbook ISBNs for The Art of the Japanese Sword are 9781462909964, 1462909965 and the print ISBNs are 9784805312407, 4805312408.