Check out these articles
-
Video article 24:25The Hilt, Which Determines the Beauty and Functionality of a Japanese Sword, Is Made by a Craftsman Called a Tsukamaki-Shi! Check Out the Video to See the Japanese Craftsman's Techniques!
Traditional Crafts- 79 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 9:43
The Scabbards That Hold Japanese Swords Are Made by Skilled Japanese Craftsmen! A Look at the Handiwork of Japanese Scabbard Makers, Who Drew Attention at a Traditional Craft Demonstration at Yasukuni Shrine
Traditional Crafts- 63 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 10:51
Watch the Master Craftsmanship of Japan's Finest Swordsmiths! Introducing a Man Who Has Devoted His Life to Preserving Japan's Ancient Traditions and Treasures
Traditional Crafts- 230 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 3:41
Dojigiri - The Famous Japanese Sword Recreated With the Combined Technology of Modern Sword Masters! A Project to Recreate the Legendary Sword in Okayama, Japan!
Traditional Crafts- 303 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 19:32
Even Don Konishi Recognizes Kiryu Yokoburi Embroidery! The Skills of the Master Embroiderer, Who Was the First to Receive the Medal With a Yellow Ribbon in Embroidery, Are to Be Passed on to the Youth of a New Age!
Traditional Crafts- 30 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 11:05
Swords Forged by Japanese Craftsmen Are Truly Works of Art! Don't Take Your Eyes off This Artisanship!
Traditional Crafts- 463 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 19:29
A Young Swordsmith Trains Hard Every Day to Make His Dream Come True. What Does the Man Preserving Japanese Traditions Have to Say About His Passion for Swords?
Traditional Crafts- 111 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 4:03
Kumamoto Prefecture's Traditional Craft "Higo Zogan" Is a Work of Art! To Think That Iron Can Be Shaped to Be This Beautiful! Check Out the Renowned Craftsmanship of Japan!
Traditional CraftsCelebrities- 298 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 1:53
A box that needs to be solved 72 times to open. What is the mechanism of the secret box made of Hakone's traditional marquetry?
Traditional Crafts- 30 plays
- YouTube
Sword Polishing Is a Highly Difficult Type of Craftsmanship for Maintaining Japanese Swords. A Look at the Uncompromising Techniques That Go Into Restoring Japan's Historical Swords
A Look at the Polishing Techniques Used for Japanese Swords
This video, titled "日本刀の研磨 手入れ 本阿弥流 Polishing katana Japanese sword," was released by " JAPAN STUDY 日本研究."
Craftsmen who polish swords for a living are called "togishi" (研師) in Japanese.
Among these craftsmen, the Hon'ami school shown in the video is a professional sword polishing school that has been around since the Nanboku-cho Period (1336-1392 A.D.).
At 12:21 in the video, a stunning view of "Kanamori Masamune," a famous dagger, is introduced.
The History and Techniques of Japanese Sword Polishing
Sword polishing has a long history in Japan and was already being practiced when chokuto (直刀, Japanese straight swords) were still being used.
The Hon'ami family, who served Ashikaga Takauji during the Nanboku-cho Period, later established sword polishing and sword appraisal methods.
When a sharpener receives a request for sword polishing, he first observes the sword for about a week to visualize the precise polishing.
The sword polishing process incorporates a unique technical system.
When polishing a sword, it is polished under the assumption that it will be used to cut down enemies, but it is also important to sharpen it in a way that brings out the beauty of the sword, so that the base metal and the hamon (刃文, blade pattern) can be seen clearly.
The Sword Polishing Techniques in the Video
The person introduced at 1:00 in the video is Koshu Hon'ami, a living national treasure of the Hon'ami family.
He uses whetstones to carefully polish Japanese swords.
There are several types of sword polishers, including Binsuido, Kaiseido, Nagurado, Koma-Nagurado, Uchigumorihado, and Uchigumorijido.
The sword is finely polished after being given a rough polish, and then adjusted through finishing polishes.
A whetstone called "Narutaki" (鳴滝) is used to polish the surface of the blade, and various secret techniques are used when polishing the swords.
There are many different polishes performed when polishing Japanese swords and many of these can be seen in the video.
Sharpening the tip of the sword is called “narume” (ナルメ).
It's important to finish the narume polishing carefully while protecting the blade of the sword.
Summary of Japan’s Sword Polishing Techniques
Today, there are approximately 50 sword polishing professionals in Japan.
There is no set qualification system for sword polishing, but in order to become a swordsmith or a sharpener, one must work under a master or attend a class to acquire advanced skills.
Many people around the world are fascinated by Japan's unique swords.
In order to maintain the brilliance of the swords, the skills of the sword polishers shown in this video are essential.
-
Video article 4:55
The Beautiful Sound of the Koto: Hear the Entrancing Tones, Born of the Craftsmanship of Master Artisans
Traditional Crafts History- 939 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 1:51
Nanbu Tekki Ironware Has Over 400 Years History, Can Be Used for Life, and Is a Very Popular Item Among Foreigners! It Also Acts as an Iron Supplement and Is Good for Your Health. Let’s Take a Look at the Traditional Japanese Product from Morioka, Iwate Prefecture!
Traditional Crafts- 224 plays
- Vimeo
-
Video article 2:25
Learn about Japan's history with "swords" you can encounter at the Tokyo National Museum in Taito-ku, Tokyo! The history of Japan is engraved in each of the approximately 120,000 objects in the collection displayed in Japan's oldest museum.
Traditional Crafts History- 113 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 1:59
Kokeshi Dolls, With Their Cute Appearance and Expressions, Are Very Popular as Souvenirs and Collectibles Overseas! A Look at Kokeshi Craftsmen and Their Dedication to the Traditional Japanese Craft of Miyagi Prefecture
Traditional Crafts- 375 plays
- Vimeo
-
Video article 3:12
Koshu Inden - A Beautiful Craft Using Lacquered Deer Leather. Discover Japanese Culture and Craftsmanship With These Amazing Artisans in Kofu, Yamanashi!
Traditional Crafts History- 241 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 4:18
Beppu Bamboo Crafts: A Look at the History and Characteristics of the Traditional Japanese Craft From Oita Prefecture. Enjoy the Skilled Techniques of These Bamboo Weaving Artisans!
Traditional Crafts- 391 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 4:04
Chasen: Introducing the Characteristics and History of the Takayama Tea Whisk – A 500-Year-Old Utensil Essential for Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony
Traditional Crafts History- 399 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 9:35
A female dyeing artist from Kyoto, Japan, talks about the fascination of the traditional craft of “Dyeing and Weaving”. How has this thousands-year-old technique been handed down?
Traditional Crafts- 344 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 4:17
Marugame Uchiwa Fans Are Works of Art Whose Craft Has Been Passed Down in Kagawa Prefecture Since the Edo Period. A Look at the History and Production Process of the Amazing Craft, Which Is a Great Souvenir for Visitors to Konpira Shrine
Traditional Crafts Things to Do- 185 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 2:35
Aizu Paper Mache Akabeko - With Its Impressive Bright Red Coloring, This 400-Year-Old Folk Art of Aizu, Fukushima Is a Craft That Clearly Shows the Craftsman's Attention To Detail
Traditional Crafts Celebrities- 576 plays
- Vimeo
-
Video article 3:26
The “Iga braid” in Iga City, Mie Prefecture, has been the talk of the town since the popular animated film Iga Kumihimo” in Iga City, Mie Prefecture, which became the talk of the town after the popular animated film ”Kimi no na wa. The intricately hand-woven designs are truly works of art! The valuable work process is also introduced in the video.
Traditional Crafts- 494 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 13:11
Sword Polishing Is a Highly Difficult Type of Craftsmanship for Maintaining Japanese Swords. A Look at the Uncompromising Techniques That Go Into Restoring Japan's Historical Swords
Traditional Crafts- 640 plays
- YouTube
Comment