the katana's two different types of steel gave it optimum qualities for both, making it a highly versatile weapon in battle. In this slide show, follow the steps that a master Japanese swordsmith ...

Earle Brigance of Mission displays his prized samurai sword. Beth Lipoff Special to The Olathe News When Earle Brigance gives a talk about samurai swords at the Kansas City Japan Festival on Oct ...

DAZAIFU, Fukuoka Prefecture--An outstanding collection of Japanese swords that had been in private ... of leading Bizen swordsmiths representing different periods, allowing experts to trace ...

GIFU—Toshiya Nakata set himself the task of unlocking the secrets behind the strength of Japanese swords after he became fascinated with their beauty a few years ago. “Japanese swords, made ...

"Akabane swords" linked to the Tokugawa clan are seen on display for the first time in this image provided by the Toyota Municipal Government. NAGOYA -- A special exhibit of eight Japanese swords ...

While genuine Samurai swords are part of Japanese history and change hands for large sums of money, there is a trade in imitation blades which can be bought over the internet for as little as £35.

The traditional katana sword is fashioned only from the purest steel, which the Japanese call tamahagane ... Katana-makers use two types of tamahagane: high-carbon, which is very hard and ...