The Art of Japanese Sword Polishing

ISBN-13:	9781568365183
Publisher:	Kodansha USA
Publication date:	05/10/2013
Pages:	192
Product dimensions:	7.70(w) x 10.30(h) x 0.70(d)

To understand Japanese sword polishing is to understand the Japanese sword. Down through the years, the great sword connoisseurs in Japan have been sword polishers. A swordsmith can spend a large amount of time forging a classic sword, but refining and bringing out its final shape, color, and texture so that all the details of the steel and hamon (the temper line) are clearly visible is the responsibility of another craftsman-the sword polisher. The Art of Japanese Sword Polishing is the first book in English to examine in great detail the polisher's techniques, for which they may apprentice for as long as ten years. It illustrates the methods, materials, and tools used for this process. But the book's true aim is to bring to readers an appreciation of the beauty of a well-crafted Japanese sword. As readers learn both how the sword polisher enhances the beauty of a blade and how he handles the problems of coaxing out its finest qualities through his polishing techniques, they will come to a higher understanding of the fine art of making a Japanese sword, and be able to view, purchase, or collect swords with greater pleasure.