Japanese Samurai Swords
艺术史essay代写 Sword crafters used four metal bars that also had a soft iron bar to prevent the destruction of the blade. Two hard iron bars ……
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Introduction 艺术史essay代写
The Japanese samurai sword has evolved simultaneously with the Japanese people for over a century and has epitomized the spirit and culture of Japan. History has illustrated that the Japanese sword is a reflection of Japan’s history, traditions, cultures, people, and attitudes. Swords utilized by samurai were acknowledged for the meticulous craftsmanship that created a stable flexible curved blades and a sharp cutting edge.
In the eighth century, the Japanese swords were created and throughout these years, it has undergone numerous changes and development. However, due to the significant political changes during the late nineteenth century, most ancient customs have been forgotten. The paper will examine the history of the development and the various types of samurai swords. It will also provide a visual analysis of the Katana and describe how other cultures have influenced samurai swords. 艺术史essay代写
History of development and different types of samurai swords
Several men and women have dedicated their lives to the art, learning, and quality crafting of the sword. In feudal Japan which comprised primarily ancient and pre-modern Japanese history, the samurai was acknowledged in the highest social class along with royalty. A swordsmith that has mastered his craft could attain esteemed recognition for the quality and functionality of their masterpiece.
Sword making was known as a hereditary custom whereby master swordsmiths would typically take on their sons as apprentices and this tradition would be passed down through the ages. Numerous authorities believed that the workmanship and the quality of Japanese swords far surpass those of any other would-be equal during any period worldwide.
The excellent and meticulous craftsmanship of the several various types of swords in ancient Japan has had them valued and admired for centuries. The intricate detail and the impressive quality of the Japanese swords have made them cherished works of art and dependable weapons during times of conflict. The development of the sword was a detailed and extensive process. Priests would also bless the process as the swords were primarily meant to embody the elements of a samurai. The steel blade was intended to reflect the steel discipline of the samurai.
Forging a Japanese sword is a delicate and intricate process. 艺术史essay代写
An art that has evolved over centuries in response to technological advancement, processes, cultural considerations, and stylistic improvements. Every Japanese sword and edged weaponry were developed through numerous variations of repeatedly heating, folding, and hammering the metal.
The process was used in harmonizing the carbon of impurities (Turnbull, 2011). This was accomplished through folding and hammering which enables proper consistency throughout the metal. The adapted process accounts for the apparent folding patterns that characterize those of ancient Japanese blades.
During forging the blade is developed through the correction of the steel to compensate for the quality. The hardening process allowed the blade to take and retain its sharpness. A critical element in the construction of the sword was creating a blade with a sharpening edge that could kill in a single swing, but still embody a softcore and spine. 艺术史essay代写
Throughout the construction process, the swordsmith comprehended the role of the sword in life and death and therefore designed and cast a quality weapon. Once the process is completed and the smith is satisfied with the quality and appearance of the blade it is then polished and fitted with a scabbard and sword mountings.
Samurai blades were curved and the length of each sword varies. However, this became typical for accomplished samurai to wield two swords, a long and a short one. This pair was recognized as the daisho during the late fifteenth century. Both swords were wielded with the cutting edge faced upwards while the short sword was only worn when the samurai was indoors.
Visual analysis of Katana
The samurais and the feudal military nobles heavily used the katana. The rising popularity of the katana sword and how much it was used was primarily due to the evolving aspects of close combat during wars. The ease of use of the katana hastened the response time of samurais as it was quickly drawn and the enemy cut in a singular motion.
Sword crafters used four metal bars that also had a soft iron bar to prevent the destruction of the blade. Two hard iron bars protect the blade from bending and a steel bar sharpened the blade. All bars are hammered and heated into a leaner, rectangular bar in developing the blade. The blade is then sharpened in crafting a sharp edge and a soft metal that makes the katana durable during combat. Once the blade is cooled, grooves and various designs are cut into it. 艺术史essay代写
Each blade has a distinct profile due to the development method used and the smith. The most recognizable part is the middle ridge that is placed around the spine of the blade for a leaner, longer, and sharp edge. The sword has an apparent tip shape that can be medium or extended in length and the front edge’s tip is curved. The point is vertically sloped which makes it easy to sharpen. The point can either be curved or have a smooth three-dimensional curve across the edge. However, they are connected by a straight line and have a clear definition on their edges.
The picture above illustrates file markings that are cut into the hilt of the blade. The hilt is never cleaned as this can massively decrease the worth of the sword by half or more. The purpose here is to depict how well the steel of the blade ages.
How other cultures influenced samurai swords 艺术史essay代写
Before the Mongols invaded Japan, traditional Japanese swords had a long, curved blade with a single edge that was mostly wielded by samurai warriors. These swords shared characteristics with similar swords produced in China. The Mongol invasions influenced the perception of the Japanese on war. After the Mongol invasions, a significant change occurred. The invasions led to the creation of formation combat for the Japanese and this was quickly being adopted across Japan.
The emphasis on bows rapidly diminished as swords became the prominent choice for samurais. The Mongol invasions in the thirteenth century further evolved the Japanese sword as swordsmiths began adopting blades with thicker backs and bigger points. This is because most samurai discovered that their swords were too delicate and easily damaged when used against the thick leather armor of the Mongols.
Based on Buddhism that originated from India, influenced the Swordsmanship of samurais.
Samurais were learned various Buddhist principles and discovered the best ways to draw their blades and how to effectively use them in battle. The swordsmanship of most samurais was deeply rooted in Buddhism. This teaching allowed samurais to be at one with their thoughts and actions making their movements in battle instantaneous. Samurais integrated Zhen Buddhism into their training to enable them to draw their sword without hesitation. 艺术史essay代写
Korean culture facilitated the development of swords in Japan. Korea’s first metal swords have been illustrated in writings from the Paekche regime which was the ruling dynasty in ancient Korea that significantly traded with the Japanese people especially on weaponry.
The influences of how the Koreans viewed close-combat warfare to how they created their swords led to the evolution of sword-crafting in Japan. This evolved into a period whereby sword smiths created patterns according to the style and intended applications of the sword. Furthermore, how Koreans perceived a sword as independently crafted for the user, this view was also followed by samurai into valuing their swords.
Bibliography 艺术史essay代写
Bitanga, Mike, Yoni Yardeni, and Ethan Brehm. The Complete History Of The Japanese Samurai Sword". Hiconsumption, 2018. https://hiconsumption.com/history-of-the-japanese-samurai-sword/.
Roach, Colin M. Japanese Swords: Cultural Icons of a Nation; The History, Metallurgy and Iconography of the Samurai Sword (Downloadable Material). Tuttle Publishing, 2014.
Sprague, Martina. Japanese Swords: The Katana and Gunto in Medieval and Modern Japanese Warfare: Knives, Swords, and Bayonets: A World History of Edged Weapon Warfare,# 4. Vol. 4. Martina Sprague, 2018.
Turnbull, Stephen. Katana: The samurai sword. Bloomsbury Publishing, 2011.
Yumoto, John M. Samurai Sword: A Handbook. Tuttle Publishing, 2013.
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