Overview
The Japanese sword is much more than just a weapon-it is a social and religious icon traditionally worn by the samurai warrior as an instrument of justice and courage, the sword was an embodiment of the soul of the person who wielded it that was at once sacred and symbolic. Japanese Swords is the first book to tell the full story of the Japanese sword's rise to greatness by discussing its long history and development, its spiritual symbolism, the esoteric metallurgical techniques used to make the sword, as well as the difficult training techniques used by skilled swordsmen.
Full Product Details
Author: Colin M. Roach ,
Nicklaus Suino
Publisher: Tuttle Publishing
Imprint: Tuttle Publishing
Dimensions:
Width: 22.90cm
, Height: 1.50cm
, Length: 30.50cm
Weight: 0.907kg
ISBN: 9784805313312
ISBN 10: 4805313315
Pages: 176
Publication Date: 19 August 2014
Audience:
General/trade
,
General
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active
Availability: Available To Order
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Reviews
-In order to truly understand the Japanese sword in its entirety one must, Roach suggests, appreciate the 'unique sociological, spiritual, and metallurgical environment in which it evolved.' With this at the core of his book, he vividly tracks the fundamental transition from the sword as a mythological instrument to a functional tool for war, and finally to the display art commodity it is today.- --Publishers Weekly
In order to truly understand the Japanese sword in its entirety one must, Roach suggests, appreciate the 'unique sociological, spiritual, and metallurgical environment in which it evolved.' With this at the core of his book, he vividly tracks the fundamental transition from the sword as a mythological instrument to a functional tool for war, and finally to the display art commodity it is today. --Publishers Weekly
This oversized 176-page hardcover is overflowing with color and black-and-white photographs. --Black Belt
Author Information
"Colin M. Roach, M.Ed. lives in the high mountains of Utah with his wife and three sons. He is a private school administrator with expertise in the areas of differentiated teaching and learning, and a member of the All Kinds of Minds Institute's national teaching faculty. Mr. Roach is an avid student of Japanese history, culture, and martial arts. Four generations of familial connection to Japan have fueled Mr. Roach's passionate study of Japan's archetypal warrior culture. In addition to his academic study of sword-related symbolism, he has trained with some of the top teachers of aikido and iaido in Japan and America. He holds the ranks of Youdan (4th degree) in iado and Sandan (3rd degree) in aikido. He also holds the teaching title """"Shidoin"" in both arts. Mr. Roach often travels to teach sword-related symbolism, traditional Japanese swordsmanship, the etiquette involved when handling a Japanese sword, and iado's role in cultural preservation."
