PUBLIC MARKS from Takwann with tags sword & japanese

The Journal of Japanese Sword Arts began life in 1989 as a monthly newsletter. More than 90 issues and almost ten years later it is still being produced. The Journal contains news, reviews, announcements, and in depth articles concerning all aspects of the Japanese sword. The Journal contains all the copy in The Iaido Newsletter, plus much more. Check out the JJSA Awards for sword related websites. The editor, publisher, and chief inking boy is Kim Taylor, a long time student of Japanese sword, and associate editor of the Journal of Asian Martial Arts.

Online Nihonto Glossary with English and Japanese Text

By Fred Weissberg The term, uchigatana, is made up of two Japanese words. The word, uchi, comes from the verb, utsu, and means to strike. The word, gatana, is another reading of the word, katana, and means sword. Thus when these two words are used together, this term, uchigatana, means a sword that is suitable for striking an enemy. Used in the context, it means a sword that is worn with the cutting edge upward as opposed to a tachi that is worn with the cutting edge downward.

By Dave Lowry Editor’s Note: This is the first of a two part article entitled "Ittosai’s Test" which is an excerpt from Dave Lowry’s new book, “Clouds In The West.” It is about the eccentric but brilliant swordsman Ito Ittosai Kagehisa, the founder of the sword tradition of Itto ryu, and his efforts to find a successor. Itto ryu eventually grew to be one of the largest and most important schools of Japanese swordmanship. It was adopted by the military authority of Japan, the Tokugawa shogun, and other lords of feudal Japan, including the Aizu from which diato ryu aikjujutsu sprang through the legendary teacher Takeda Sokaku Sensei. Itto ryu also influenced the technical curriculum of kendo (the modern Japanese art of fencing that uses mock weapons made of bamboo). Today there are several separate traditions of Itto ryu practiced. Another important variant is Onoha Itto Ryu Sokaku Den, passed down through several daito ryu and aiki budo traditions.

This is the first in a continuing series of articles on the Japanese art of iaido the modern discipline or way of drawing the sword that was popularized in the 1930's. It was derived from iaijutsu, a sub-specialization of kenjutsu (sword arts) that was practiced by professional (samurai) warriors and involved methods of drawing the sword and cutting as a single motion. Future articles will focus on concepts that relate to practice and then on specific analyses of kata and basic techniques.

This is a brief documentation of japanese sword making and histroy of the Katana brought to you by the dicovery channel program descive weapons.

KATANA TOGISHI - Japanese Traditional Sword Sharpner part 1

Proper etiquette for handling and examining the Japanese sword.

This video demonstrates how to polish a Japanese sword.

What is tameshigiri? And what's the point of it? Tameshigiri translates from the Japanese as "test cutting." In the past Japanese sword makers or sword owners sometimes had their swords tested for sharpness. They would give their sword to a skilled sword tester who would chop something up – frequently human bodies – and then record the results on the tang of the blade. Today tameshigiri is a less bloody affair. Simply put, you're testing your skill and you're testing your sword by cutting a specially prepared target.

This glossary is intended to provide a basic vocabulary to beginning sword collectors and practitioners. Terms are listed alphabetically and can be accessed directly from the letters below.

The hamon is like a craftsman's signature! Based on the hamon, one can gain knowledge on the style and age of a sword, its quenching process, and possible symbolism relating to its user and Toshyo!

Welcome to the Japanese Sword Guide. I started this site several years ago to share my enjoyment of the art of the Japanese sword and to aid others in understanding this complex topic. I have been a student of the Japanese sword for about 30 years although I've been studying antique knives and swords of various types including bowie knives, kris (keris), puukko, antique pocket knives, bronze age weapons, damascus steel knives and swords, and early English cutlery for well over 50 years. I enjoy all types of fine cutlery.