The Japanese Arts Collection Book 4
THE KATANA II
Legendary Swordsmiths of Japan.
About this book
Every legendary Japanese sword was made by someone.
The Japanese Arts Collection Book 4
Overview
Masamune. Muramasa. Kotetsu. The names are familiar from games, anime, and museum labels — but who were these men, and what did they actually do at the forge?
THE KATANA II traces the history of the Japanese sword through the lives of the smiths who shaped it, from the tenth century to the twentieth. Meet Yasutsuna of Hōki, credited with giving the sword its curve; Sanjō Munechika, maker of the Mikazuki; Masamune, who redirected the entire craft; Muramasa, whose blades were shunned by the Tokugawa; and Minamoto Kiyomaro, a genius of the closing years of the shogunate.
Their stories are not simply catalogues of workmanship. A smith walks to Edo and is turned away at the door for looking shabby. A gunsmith crosses over to swords and forges work that connoisseurs mistake for a Masamune. A famous blade is valued at six hundred kanmon and takes its name from a sutra of six hundred volumes.
What this book covers
- Thirty-seven swordsmiths, from the dawn of the curved blade to the Meiji era
- The Gokaden, the five great traditions, and how each developed its own character
- The transition from kotō to shintō to shinshintō, and what actually changed
- Famous blades and their histories, including Dōjigiri, Ōkanehira, Heshikiri Hasebe, Okadagiri, and Kenshin Kagemitsu
- Where surviving works can be seen today
What each entry includes
Each smith is given his period, province, and principal works, followed by an account of his life, his workmanship, and the blades that made his name. A glossary at the back explains the technical vocabulary, so the text stays readable while the terms remain available when you want them.
Who this guide is for
Written for readers who know the names but not yet the men behind them. No prior knowledge of Japanese swords is assumed.
THE KATANA II: Legendary Swordsmiths of Japan is Book 4 in The Japanese Arts Collection from Yutori Publishing.
FAQ
Questions about THE KATANA II
What does this book cover?
THE KATANA II introduces thirty-seven Japanese swordsmiths from the tenth century to the Meiji era, alongside the Gokaden traditions, the development of swordmaking, famous blades, and the places where surviving works can be seen today.
Do I need prior knowledge of Japanese swords?
No. The book is written for readers who recognize famous names such as Masamune and Muramasa but want to learn about the people and traditions behind them.
What is the relationship to THE KATANA?
THE KATANA explores more than 40 legendary Japanese blades. THE KATANA II turns to the swordsmiths who made them and the history of their craft.