Modern Japanese Swords and Swordsmiths: From 1868 to the Present

The lineage of the Japanese sword can be traced back over a thousand years, and throughout its long history, the sword has emerged as one of Japan’s most durable cultural assets. Part of its mythical appeal lies in the unique harmony of its historical roles as a deadly hand-held weapon, the embodiment of the samurai spirit, and a powerful symbol of warfare.

The types of sword that have been made, their forging methods, and the styles of the blade have been influenced by historical events and shaped by developments in the means of combat, giving rise to five distinct periods and a host of styles and schools. The most recent period, gendaito, began in the late nineteenth century, during Japan’s drive to modernize its military forces. The demand for traditional swords all but disappeared, and many schools and styles became virtually extinct.

Condition: Good, some shelf wear to the dust jacket however otherwise a nice clean copy.

Inv. No: 20A