Japanese Swordsmithing

Bōgu

The bōgu (防具, bōgu) refers to the set of protective gear used in the practice of kendo, jukendo, naginatajutsu, and tankendo. Although the official term used in Japan today to...

Bōgu

The bōgu (防具, bōgu) refers to the set of protective gear used in the practice of kendo, jukendo, naginatajutsu, and tankendo. Although the official term used in Japan today to...

Iaitō

An iaitō (居合刀) is a Japanese training weapon that resembles a katana and is used for the study of iaido and iaijutsu. It is employed in various schools of iaido,...

Iaitō

An iaitō (居合刀) is a Japanese training weapon that resembles a katana and is used for the study of iaido and iaijutsu. It is employed in various schools of iaido,...

Bokken

A bokken (木剣; hiragana: ぼっけん; boku, 'wood'; ken, 'sword') or bokutō (木刀; hiragana: ぼくとう; tō, 'saber') is a wooden sword used in various classical martial arts originating from Japan, primarily...

Bokken

A bokken (木剣; hiragana: ぼっけん; boku, 'wood'; ken, 'sword') or bokutō (木刀; hiragana: ぼくとう; tō, 'saber') is a wooden sword used in various classical martial arts originating from Japan, primarily...

Yari

Yari (槍) is the Japanese term for spear. It has been widely used on the battlefields of Japan since the time of the early Japanese emperors. The martial art dedicated...

Yari

Yari (槍) is the Japanese term for spear. It has been widely used on the battlefields of Japan since the time of the early Japanese emperors. The martial art dedicated...

Nagamaki

The nagamaki (長巻), literally meaning "long wrapping" in Japanese, is an unusual Japanese polearm that falls between the naginata and tachi in terms of design. It was particularly in use...

Nagamaki

The nagamaki (長巻), literally meaning "long wrapping" in Japanese, is an unusual Japanese polearm that falls between the naginata and tachi in terms of design. It was particularly in use...

Kodachi

The kodachi, literally translating to "small and short tachi (sword)," is one of the swords traditionally made and used by the samurai class in Feudal Japan. It serves as an...

Kodachi

The kodachi, literally translating to "small and short tachi (sword)," is one of the swords traditionally made and used by the samurai class in Feudal Japan. It serves as an...