The reader of this book assumes the role of a young samurai kensei, whose mission it is to recover a legendary daikatana, the singing death, for the shogun. If you love history and culture, youll love this list. The samurai sword is the essential illustrated guide to the japanese way of the sword. Find out in this clip from season 8, the amazing chumlee. Learning martial arts is a long journey required to be patient and discipline. This volume by leading samurai expert stephen turnbull reveals. Popular samurai books meet your next favorite book.
Samurai sword picture photo book kogatana zukan japanese. Books have been used to learn and teach for centuries, and they are still a great way to learn new things. Auway 40 fully handmade high carbon steel full tang blade japanese katana samurai sword. Green granite theme damascus steel real wakizashi japanese samurai swords. Tamahagane is produced from iron sand, a source of iron ore, and mainly used to make samurai swords, such as the katana, and some tools. Rare nihon meitou zukan samurai sword book katana limited 1500 copies mz. Ii fittings in 1984 that contained information on nearly 2,000 artists. In addition to the facts of history, the story of a japanese youkai is also depicted. First appearing in 1983, katana is a samurai warrior whose skill with a sword allows her to fight for justice as a superhero. It cuts across cultures and genres, and slices into the hearts of history buffs, japanophiles, comic book fans and. If youre interested in a more comprehensive history of the katana than i wrote, or want to learn how to properly practice with one, reading a good book on the subject can do wonders the selection below contains some of the bestselling books on amazon about the samurai sword. This book reveals the development and use across the centuries of one of the finest edged weapons in military history.
The steel used in sword production is known as tamahagane, or jewel steel tama ball or jewel, hagane steel. Antique japanese tsuka samurai katana sword guard wakizashi a074. The katana was the big or long sword and the wakizashi the little or companion sword. Development of the two sword style of swordplay, with the daito long sword and wakizashi being used together, is credited to musashi. I have been looking for a book that i could research the making and history behind japanese swords. Simply put, most of us think of a katana when we hear the phrase samurai sword.
Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc. The samurai sword weapon book 5 and millions of other books are available for amazon kindle. This title reveals the story of how and why it achieved this distinction. Little is actually known about this influential man, but according to research he killed his first. The katana is a japanese sword used by samurai, an aristocratic warrior class in feudal japan.
May 06, 20 woodturning clack log into a vase duration. The five types of samurai swords comic book commentary. The samurai sword of japan is probably the finest edged weapon ever made. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading katana.
Nihonto meihin shu japanese sword masterpiece collection book katana samurai. When worn together the pair of swords were called daisho, which translates literally as biglittle. Handmade gold silver flower tsuba rayskin saya real hamon wakizashi swords. Buy katana the sword of the samurai weapon by stephen turnbull isbn. Japanese samurai old iron sword guard tsuba photo book japan. A very decent book on the basics of samurai swords and their simple history. Japanese sword satsuma koshirae book,katana,samurai,tsuba. Never has the relationship between man and sword been better expressed than in the words of the great shogun military dictator of japan, tokugawa ieyasu 15421616, who advised his successors that the sword is. Best books about the japanese sword, the katana on amazon. Her tragic backstory includes the death of her husband, maseo, whose soul becomes trapped in her blade, the soultaker.
Dec 15, 2012 japanese samurai old iron sword guard tsuba photo book japan, katana 0211. These were used by the samurai warrior of both ancient and feudal japan. This book should be required reading for anyone whos interest lies in not just the use, but the art of the japanese sword. This volume, written by leading samurai expert stephen turnbull, reveals the story of how and why it achieved this distinction, from the swords unique metallurgy to its use in combat, where one stroke often decided the victor.
Plenty of defintions on various parts of the katana. As reported below, the japanese made many different blades of various geometries and for various purposes. Historically, katana were one of the traditionally made japanese swords or nihonto. Japanese edo meiji samurai book swordsman dictionary. This volume by leading samurai expert stephen turnbull reveals the story of how and why it achieved this distinction. Truekatana offer you incredible fully handmade authentic real katana, japanese samurai swords, tanto, wakazashi, ninjato swords, tachi swords, chinese swords, medieval swords, knight swords, anime swords and more. Particular attention is paid to the development of the familiar curved blade from the original straight blades, the associated development of japans. It has a curved, singleedged blade that is slender and a square or circular guard. Tight sound unmarked copy with minor rubs to edges and corners of covers. Full color pages of fittings and mounts as well as many bw photos of sword blades. I followed up with japanese sword guard artists in 1982 and the samurai swordamerican perspective vol. The wakizashi being worn together with the katana was the official sign that the wearer was a samurai or swordsman. Katana tatsu yamashiro, yamashiro tatsu is a fictional superheroine that appears in comic books published by dc comics. Nov 09, 2006 the samurai sword of japan is probably the finest edged weapon ever made.
The handle is long and traditionally wrapped in rayskin and then a braid of silk or cotton. Large format, leatherette cover, 158 pages, 1984 by gary murtha. The samurai sword begins with the development and history of the japanese sword and explores some of the factors that influenced its design and use throughout japans often violent past, including a brief exploration of nomenclature and a look into how the sword is actually made. Mar 05, 2010 the gentle curvature of a katana is attained by a process of quenching. Full color pages of 30 fittings and mounts as well as black and white. Learn about the history of katanas japanese swords and how to use one as well. New listing iaido learn with pictures book japanese sword kendo arts katana samurai mz. Japanese samurai swords illustration encyclopedia book new for. Nihon no bi the japanese sword katana samurai book with. Japanese samurai old iron sword guard tsuba photo book. Katana soul of the samurai most famous japanese sword. I followed up with japanese sword guard artists in 1982 and the samurai sword american perspective vol.
The sword must be wrested from the grasp of ikiru, the master of shadows, who keeps it hidden within the pit of demons. Large format 8 34x 11 12 inch, red leatherette cover, 126 pages, 1980 by gary murtha with color dust jacket. These samurai warriors were equipped with a range of weapons such as spears and guns, bows and arrows, but their main weapon and symbol was the sword. When ready to draw the blade from its scabbard, your left thumb should already be securing the blade as explained earlier in place, bring your right hand up to the swords handle and grip it securely. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Muramasa, born before 1501, commonly known as sengo muramasa. It was used by the samurai of ancient and feudal japan. Particular attention is paid to the development of the familiar curved blade from the original straight blades, the associated development of japans famous steelmaking. Then you can start reading kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer no kindle device required. Discussion of history, sword care, sword nomenclature.
Japanese sword mountings are the various housings and associated fittings that hold the blade of a japanese sword when it is being worn or stored. It has both a circular or square guard and long grip. Handmade t10 carbon steel full tang real japanese wakizashi samurai sword. Miyamoto musashi katana, samurai sword, sh1016, cas hanwei. Japanese samurai old iron sword guard tsuba photo book japan,katana 0211.
Metal bookends are hidden inside your first and last book. There are five main streams of the samurai sword, namely katana, wakizashi, tanto, nodachi and tachi swords. This volume, written by leading samurai expert stephen turnbull, reveals the story of how and why it achieved this distinction, from the sword s unique metallurgy to its use in combat, where one stroke often decided the victor. Katana sword books katana swords japanese samurai swords. The samurai sword weapon book 5 kindle edition by stephen turnbull author. Handmade real japanese samurai katana wakizashi ninja swords. What is the difference between a samurai sword and a katana. My first book about japanese tsuba was published in 1981 and was titled the tsuba. Handmade real japanese samurai katana wakizashi ninja. The samurai sword weapon book 5 kindle edition by turnbull, stephen, shumate, johnny. Miyamoto musashi, arguably the most famous swordmaster in japanese history, fought more than 60 duels before retiring and writing his famous treatise on swordplay, the book of five rings.
A native of california, he began his study of japanese swordcraft during his early childhood in japan. Japanese edo meiji samurai book swordsman dictionary sword. Japans famous samurai warriors were more than just soldiers they were adherents to a strict code of honor who respected the deeper, spiritual meaning of the way of the sword. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. The samurai sword weapon book 5 kindle edition by stephen turnbull, johnny shumate. Koshirae refers to the ornate mountings of a japanese sword e. Handmade clay tempered full tang real hamon japanese wakizashi samurai swords. Yumoto is perhaps the foremost authority on the samurai sword outside of japan. In spite of its original reputation as fine blades favored by the shogun tokugawa. The samurai sword by stephen turnbull, johnny shumate. All of my books have been outofprint for close to thirty years. To a samurai, ones katana was both a weapon and a symbol.
The samurai sword begins with the development and history of the japanese sword and explores some of the factors that influenced its design and use throughout japans often violent past, including a brief exploration of nomenclature and a. What makes the katana distinct than other swords is its curved and single edged blade. For many conjuring thoughts of the warriors of premodern japan, its the samurai sword called a katana, a curved weapon with a single edge that can slice with unforgiving precision. There is so much more to it than the typical katana i was. The design of the japanese monster is very wonderful, and the inclusion of this page makes the owner happy to own this book. With its creation, a feat of craftsmanship passed down by generations of artisans. The plastic blade and handle measures around 15 cm x 5 cm x 5 cm and 15 cm x 2 cm x 0. Katana niseko is an experience where you can wear a traditional samurai hakama and try tameshigiri traditional test cutting of japanese swords by slicing a goza tatami mat target. The katana a japanese sword used by the ancient samurai is a small piece of their culture. In modern times the most commonly known type of japanese sword is the shinogizukuri katana, which is a singleedged and usually curved longsword traditionally worn by samurai from the 15th century onwards. Particular attention is paid to the development of the familiar curved blade from the original straight. The katana bookends look like a samurai sword has skewered your book collection. Make offer iaito practice japanese samurai katana sword 1060 high carbon steel sharp blade.