| The gun is the chosen weapon of modern times. | | | | for example, swords made of bog iron were |
| Technologically advanced and deadly accurate, the | | | | extremely brittle and often would break on the |
| weapon does its job. Despite its effectiveness, | | | | field of battle after a blow or two. The advantage |
| the gun lacks the mystique that accompanies a | | | | of the steel sword was the fact it was more |
| Japanese sword, or any sword of ancient tradition | | | | flexible. Its elasticity was slight, but just enough to |
| for that matter. Individual works of art, the | | | | prove the worked metal stronger, and more |
| swords of Japan have a rich and enduring history. | | | | reliable. It just got better through time and |
| What makes Japanese swords so alluring? | | | | advanced processing, too. |
| Perhaps it's their rich history, or maybe it's the | | | | It is believed the straight sword was the norm |
| incredible craftsmanship and artistic touches that | | | | through the 8th century or so, when tachi, or |
| went into many a sword. Even still, it could be | | | | long, curved swords made their appearance. It |
| that these swords were often considered an | | | | wasn't until the late 1200s, however, that sword |
| extension of the people who wielded them. More | | | | making had evolved into the form more closely |
| than just an object, they were a constant and | | | | representative of the Japanese samurai sword |
| unyielding companion in a world very different | | | | we identify with today. As the samurai became |
| from our own. It's that symbolism, perhaps, that | | | | the power in Japan, the swords became greater, |
| makes these swords so interesting. | | | | more detailed, individual works of art. |
| The history of the Japanese sword is rich and | | | | In the late 1300 and 1400s, the katana with its |
| long. It is believed the first swords came on the | | | | shorter, easier to wield blade came into favor and |
| scene in the in the mid 200s A.D. Using rough iron, | | | | crafting abilities advanced as well. By the late |
| as steel had yet to be invented yet, the | | | | 1500s, refining processes became more advanced |
| forerunner of the swords of today was a rough | | | | and raw materials were more accessible and the |
| prototype, subject to breaking. | | | | tradition of making swords marched forward. |
| The advent of steel, which involves a process of | | | | As it was in Europe with medieval knights, the |
| heating and cooling iron to create a superior | | | | birth of the Japanese sword grew up around a |
| product, came to Japan sometime in the 5th | | | | class of warriors, the samurai. This country's |
| century. With this came a single-edged blade | | | | version of a knight, a samurai, however, is more |
| known as the chokuto. This creation of steel, with | | | | of a mystery to the West, making the weapons |
| its deadly beauty and ability, opened the door for | | | | these men wielded more intriguing perhaps. The |
| artisans to begin creating better and better | | | | samurai were known as relentless warriors who |
| swords. | | | | lived and died by a code of honor. Their weapons |
| Early swords were made of iron, but the | | | | were extensions of themselves. |
| lesser-processed material was brittle. In Europe, | | | | |