History of the Japanese Katana

ENGLISH SUBTITLES: Click on CC to display SUBSCRIBE : --- PRESENTATION: HISTORY OF THE JAPANESE KATANA --- In August 2020, Usami Hiroji of the Sōsuishi Ryū school and leader of a group of Japanese sword passionates called “Toyukai“ invited us to a special sword appraisal event that retraced broadly the history of the Japanese sword. Shizuka Tokuyuki Sensei, director at the society for the preservation of Japanese art swords, told us the history of the Katana tradition from the Kamakura era to the Bakumatsu period. Shizuka Sensei brought with him six exceptional antique swords from different periods to illustrate how Japanese swords evolved and were handed down from generation to generation, starting from the birth of the samurai cast until their fall centuries later, shaping forever the identity of Japan. Let’s dive together into the world of traditional Japanese Swords experts. --- SOURCES --- Onikojima Yatarō: Photography of Samurai: & & Blacksmith scene: Shiraishi clan: Japanese samurai boarding Mongol ships in 1281: Tachi sword by Yukihira, Heian-Kamakura period, 12th-13th century: Tachi: & Emperor Go-Daigo (1288 - 1339): Emperor Go-Kameyama (1347 - 1424): A samurai warrior who handles a large Odachi Sword on a horse: Edo period wood block print showing an Odachi being worn on the back: Painting depicting a battle during the Onin War: Antique Katana: The three Sacred Treasures of Japan: Oda Nobunaga (1534 - 1582) by Utagawa Kuniyoshi: Working the bellows of a Tatara: Tokugawa Ieyasu (1543 - 1616): Commodore Matthew C. Perry’s second visit in 1854: Portrait of the Satsuma Clan Envoys, 1863: Daisho set of Shirasaya: --- CREDITS --- Director: Baptiste Tavernier Editing: Nicolas Nothum, Baptiste Tavernier Camera: Jordy Delage Narration: Brian Kamei Translation & Subtitles: Baptiste Tavernier Special thanks: Usami Hiroji, Shizuka Tokuyuki Music: “Hatsu Haru“ by Fumikomidori --- SOCIAL NETWORKS --- Facebook: Twitter: Instagram: #Katana #Samurai #BudoStudies