9784805313312-4805313315-Japanese Swords: Cultural Icons of a Nation; The History, Metallurgy and Iconography of the Samurai Sword

Japanese Swords: Cultural Icons of a Nation; The History, Metallurgy and Iconography of the Samurai Sword

ISBN-13: 9784805313312
ISBN-10: 4805313315
Edition: Reprint
Author: Colin M. Roach
Publication date: 2014
Publisher: Tuttle Publishing
Format: Paperback 176 pages
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Book details

ISBN-13: 9784805313312
ISBN-10: 4805313315
Edition: Reprint
Author: Colin M. Roach
Publication date: 2014
Publisher: Tuttle Publishing
Format: Paperback 176 pages

Summary

Japanese Swords: Cultural Icons of a Nation; The History, Metallurgy and Iconography of the Samurai Sword (ISBN-13: 9784805313312 and ISBN-10: 4805313315), written by authors Colin M. Roach, was published by Tuttle Publishing in 2014. With an overall rating of 4.2 stars, it's a notable title among other Criticism (Arts History & Criticism, Japan, Asian History, Pictorials, Military History) books. You can easily purchase or rent Japanese Swords: Cultural Icons of a Nation; The History, Metallurgy and Iconography of the Samurai Sword (Paperback, Used) from BooksRun, along with many other new and used Criticism books and textbooks. And, if you're looking to sell your copy, our current buyback offer is $2.15.

Description

With over 300 stunning photographs and woodblock prints along with extensive historical and cultural commentary, Japanese Swords is the ultimate authority on Samurai weaponry.

Historically, Japanese warriors considered their swords to be more elevated than simple weaponry. Their swords were both lethal tools and divine companions — social and religious icons. Traditionally worn by the samurai as a sign of social status, the Japanese sword represented the junction between the ruling military class and those whom they ruled. Moreover, the samurai sword was a technological and artistic marvel. Many scholars consider it to be the finest sword ever constructed.

Concerning symbolism and historical importance, no other blade comes close to the Japanese sword. With a historical, iconographical, and technological perspective, author Cohn M. Roach provides an in-depth study of these magnificent weapons in Japanese Swords. This richly illustrated sword book weaves the blade's primary influences together, tracking its history and illuminating its progress from infancy to grandeur. By studying the evolution of the Japanese sword from this perspective, we better understand Japan and its warrior archetype.

Combining research materials from multiple disciplines, Roach uses his expertise as an educator to guide readers through the sword's rise to greatness in a unique way. This book discusses the history, development, and spiritual symbolism of the sword, as well as the esoteric metallurgical techniques used in making it. It also covers the intense training practices used by skilled swordsmen.

Japanese Swords also includes a companion DVD featuring a beautifully-filmed documentary that explores the traditional swordmaker's craft. The DVD also contains an introduction to the Japanese sword at a sword shop in Kyoto and a visit to a dojo for a beginner's class in the medieval sword-drawing art called iaido.
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