Category: Resources

  • Kata: Making a sword pattern

    Kata: Making a sword pattern

    A good to way to learn proper sword sugata, or silhouette, is to make a kata, or pattern, from 1.25-1.5mm thick sheet of mild steel. I bought a full sheet and cut it in about forty 5 cm wide bands of various lengths. The longest tachi won’t usually exceed 100 cm of zen-nagasa (full length,…

  • Kata – Sword Patterns: Tanto – Aizu Shintogo

    Kata – Sword Patterns: Tanto – Aizu Shintogo

    Tanto – Aizu Shintogo Shintogo Kunimitsu is known as one of the best swordsmiths to have ever lived, and a master of the tanto. This is a tracing of the Aizu Shintogo, a tanto listed as a Meibutsu. Download this PDF file which provides detailed measurements of the tanto. (right-click on link and save file)…

  • Kata – Sword Patterns: Kozuka – Kogatana

    Kata – Sword Patterns: Kozuka – Kogatana

    Kozuka – Kogatana These pocket knives were utilitarian first and foremost. They were inserted into a sword scabbard’s side, through the guard. Kozuka (small tsuka) refers to the hilt of the knife, whereas kogatana (small katana) refers to the actual knife itself. Download this PDF file which provides detailed measurements of a classic kogatana. (right-click…

  • Art of the Samurai: Japanese Arms and Armor, 1156-1868

    Art of the Samurai: Japanese Arms and Armor, 1156-1868

    Art of the Samurai: Japanese Arms and Armor, 1156-1868 Edited by Morihiro Ogawa English – 356 pages – ISBN-10: 0300142056 More than just the catalogue, from the exhibition of the same name held at the Met in 2009, this is one cover-it-all for the samurai arts! Visit this Amazon link for details

  • Book – Katana Kantei: Facts and Fundamentals

    Book – Katana Kantei: Facts and Fundamentals

    A refreshing look at Japanese sword appraisal Review of a new book published by Kodansha, originally authored by Nakahara Nobuo and translated by Paul Martin Originally published in Japanese as Katana no kanshō — Kihon to Jissen 刀の鑑賞 基本と実践 (Sword Appraisal — Theory and Practice) as a semi-private venture, the book has been released to…

  • Book: Introduction to Japanese Swords through pictures

    Book: Introduction to Japanese Swords through pictures

    Introduction to Japanese Swords through pictures. Reference work on etiquette, appraisal, maintenance, and mostly the presentation of Japanese swords L’étiquette des sabres Sageo (scabbard cord) tying according to various schools / Maintenance / Appraisal By the Zen Nippon Tosho Kai (All Japan Swordsmith Association) English and Japanese – 48 pages – ISBN: 4990231627 Bilingual book…

  • Exhibition catalogue: Masamune and his lineage

    Exhibition catalogue: Masamune and his lineage

    Exhibition catalogue « Masamune and his lineage » held at the Sano Art Museum, 2002 by the Sano Art Museum Japanese – 183 pages – ISBN: 4915857549 This catalogue is now very well known for the quality of its photographs, printing, paper, and the swords presented. This book has been out of print ever since…

  • DVD: The Ancient Techniques and Spirit of the Japanese Sword: A Modern Challenge

    DVD: The Ancient Techniques and Spirit of the Japanese Sword: A Modern Challenge

    A Top quality DVD on Japanese sword making by the All Japan Swordsmiths Association (Zen Nippon Tosho Kai) English / Japanese

  • KOGEI: The spirit of craftmanship

    KOGEI: The spirit of craftmanship

    Kogei is now on the ice for lack of time! Wait for news… it’s coming… it’s coming… Contact us to be added to the mailing list Download the pre-issue – put together specially for an event held in August 2005, and entirely devoted to introducing the reader to the making, appreciating, study, maintenance, and collection…