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- 74 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- 61 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- 220 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- 298 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- 27 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- 462 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- 281 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 6:09
The Japanese Fishing Rod Is a Delicate and Supple, Yet Strong Work of Art. A Look at "Sao Shosaku," a Company in Kawaguchi, Saitama That Continues to Make High-Quality, Traditional Japanese Fishing Rods
Traditional Crafts- 375 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 4:48
It Takes Time and Advanced Skills To Make Edo Sashimono, a Traditional Furniture of Tokyo That Uses 0 Nails! One Woman, Fascinated by the Traditional Techniques of the Edo Period, Passes on the Essence of Edo to the Modern World
Traditional Crafts- 313 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 1:32
Arita Ware: A Traditional Japanese Craft of Arita, Saga That Was Coveted by European Royalty and Aristocracy in the 17th Century. Older Than Even the World-Famous Meissen!
Traditional Crafts Celebrities History- 192 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 3:42
Echizen Lacquerware is a work of art that adds color to the dining table! A video showing the production process and products of this high-quality traditional craft that has been handed down for over 1,400 years in Sabae City, Fukui Prefecture.
Traditional Crafts History- 212 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- 215 plays
- Vimeo
-
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- 375 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 9:31
Gifu Wagasa" is a beautiful work of art created by the meticulous handwork passed down to traditional craftsmen! Craftsmen in the Kano district of Gifu City, Gifu City, Gifu City, tell us about the crisis of lack of successors.
Traditional Crafts- 231 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 1:47
Meet the Craftsman That Has Been Crafting Intricate Bunraku Puppet Heads for 40 Years! This Interview With an Awa Deko Ningyo Puppet Maker Will Make You Fall in Love With Ningyo Joruri!
Traditional Crafts- 377 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- 366 plays
- Vimeo
-
Video article 9:47
Wadaiko, a traditional Japanese craft that plays dynamic music at festivals and other events, takes several years to complete!This is a video of a taiko drum craftsman in Hakusan City, Ishikawa Prefecture, who preserves the technique!
Traditional Crafts- 198 plays
- YouTube
-
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- 93 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 18:53
Edo Moku-Chokoku Wood Carving Is a Traditional Craft of Tokyo. The Sculptures Are Known for Their Intricate Designs and Elegant Beauty. Even Now, Highly-Skilled Craftsmen Continue To Preserve This Important Japanese Culture
Traditional Crafts- 129 plays
- YouTube
Comment