Garrone, Vanni La Spada dei Samurai

The samurai sword undoubtedly occupies a prominent position in the world of ancient weapons, and its blade is an expression of the highest forging skills. Unfortunately, Western literature on the subject is usually very scarce in elaborating the peculiarities of this weapon and the problems of its manufacture. This book attempts to remedy this situation, at least in part, by filling in many of the gaps concerning the details surrounding the legendary samurai sword.

The present techniques of steelmaking are explained in their essential parts to help the reader understand the difficulties and problems faced by the ancient swordsmiths. The development of the weapon is presented in close connection with the history of Japan, and the reasons for formal and technical changes over the centuries are also explained. Everything worth knowing about the blade of the samurai sword is dealt with in detail, explaining the layer forging, the composite structure, the differentiated tempering and the description of all characteristic parts, and also presenting the technological details of the structure. Finally, there are the formal and technical styles that have characterised the various schools of blacksmithing over the centuries. Part of the special importance was given to the ideograms related to the signatures and dating of the blades, with more than 270 characters depicted in different spellings. The samurai sword as a whole is treated with adequate explanations and many illustrations of the various components, but this work concentrates essentially on the blade and attempts to reveal its most intimate secrets.