Blade of the Samurai
Blade of the Samurai

Author: Susan Spann

Publisher: Macmillan

Published: 2014-07-15

Total Pages: 304

ISBN-13: 1250027055

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"Master ninja Hiro Hattori is trying to sleep when he has an unexpected visit from his friend Kazu, a fellow shinobi and member of the same ninja clan working undercover at the shogunate. Kazu says that Saburo, the Shogun's cousin, has been stabbed to death within the walls of the Shogun's palace with Kazu's dagger, and that though he is innocent, he fears he will be blamed for the murder. He begs Hiro's help in escaping the city. But before he can flee, Hiro and Father Mateo, the Jesuit priest under Hiro's protection, are summoned to the palace to aid in the investigation. There they learn of a plot to assassinate the Shogun and overthrow the ruling Ashikaga clan. With Lord Oda, a rival warlord, scheduled to arrive in Kyoto soon and the murderer poised to strike again, Hiro must use his assassin's skills to reveal the killer's identity and protect the Shogun. Kazu, trapped in the city, still will not admit where he was at the time of the murder, and this makes Hiro doubt his innocence. Other suspects include the maid who found the body, Saburo's wife, and the stable master. Unfortunately, the Shogun demands the murder solved before Lord Oda arrives, and if the murderer can't be brought to justice, Hiro and Father Mateo may have to die in his place. Blade of the Samurai is a complex mystery that will transport readers into 16th century Japan for a thrilling and unforgettable adventure"--

Samurai Sword
Samurai Sword

Author: John M. Yumoto

Publisher: Tuttle Publishing

Published: 2013-01-08

Total Pages: 208

ISBN-13: 1462907067

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The samurai sword: a symbol of the spirit of old Japan, it embodies the samurai's steel discipline, unswerving devotion and peerless skill. With its creation, a feat of craftsmanship passed down by generations of artisans, the samurai sword is generally considered to be superior even to the famed blades of Western Damascus and Toledo. The Samurai Sword Handbook is a precise exploration of the samurai sword designed for sword collectors as well as anyone intrigued by these ancient blades. Detailing the origins and development of the samurai sword, its historical background, styles, famous schools and differences in construction, this revised edition of the classic reference outlines methods of identifying and researching the sword, as well as caring for it properly. This must-have for sword lovers is sure to be a bestseller. Topics of this Samurai book include: Japanese History and the Samurai Sword Types of swords Parts of the sword Blade shape, construction, and grain The making of the sword Inscriptions and their readings Care and maintenance Appraisal and value Relative point values

Katana
Katana

Author: Stephen Turnbull

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing

Published: 2011-01-01

Total Pages: 170

ISBN-13: 1849086583

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The Samurai sword of Japan is probably the finest edged weapon ever made. This volume by leading Samurai expert Stephen Turnbull reveals the story of how and why it achieved this distinction. Particular attention is paid to the development of the familiar curved blade from the original straight blades, the associated development of Japan's famous steel-making techniques and the challenges from contemporary warfare. Together with the technical details of forging, polishing, mounting and testing; this volume is brought to life with details of the great swordmakers themselves. Moreover, no history of the sword would be complete without a detailed examination of its use in combat, from the greatest Samurai armies to individual duels and revenge killings. Personal accounts allow the reader to discover the art of Japanese swordsmanship in the hands of masters such as Miyamoto Musashi to the unnamed Japanese warrior defending his family's honour. This lively text is perfectly complemented by artwork reconstructions of the sword in use and colour photographs of the swords in use.

Samurai Sword: Spirit * Strategy * Techniques
Samurai Sword: Spirit * Strategy * Techniques

Author: Kohshyu Yoshida

Publisher: Tuttle Publishing

Published: 2014-06-13

Total Pages: 374

ISBN-13: 1462909906

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The Samurai Sword is the essential illustrated guide to the Japanese way of the sword. Japan's famous samurai warriors were more than just soldiers -- they were adherents to a strict code of honor who respected the deeper, spiritual meaning of the way of the sword. To the samurai, battle was sacred. This indispensable guide to theory and practice respects both the physical and spiritual aspects of martial arts practice with the katana. This sword book features: Beautiful, step-by-step photos and easy-to-understand text Guidance for selecting, maintaining, and using your sword Wisdom about the practical value of meditation Inspirational biographies of some of the greatest samurai swordsmen, men whose words and deeds embodied the true spirit of the samurai warrior Downloadable video Whether you're a beginner or an experienced swordsperson, this book will broaden your practical knowledge with detailed instruction on stances, cuts, guards, forms, and sparring techniques and strategy.

Mastering the Samurai Sword
Mastering the Samurai Sword

Author: Cary Nemeroff

Publisher: Tuttle Publishing

Published: 2014-09-02

Total Pages: 459

ISBN-13: 1462916252

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Memorialized in countless books and movies, the history of Japan's fearsome samurai warriors is known all over the world. Who can forget these Japanese masters' skills with the sword? Today, samurai warriors no longer exist, but their legacy of swordsmanship endures. Now, the way of the samurai sword is learned in the martial arts Iaijutsu and Kenjutsu. This book is the perfect introduction to using this beautiful and ancient weapon. In Mastering the Samurai Sword, you'll learn the sword's fascinating history, its evolution, and the philosophy behind its use. You'll also learn practical guidance for mastering the sword itself. Full-color, step-by-step photographs detail many of the most useful and famous samurai moves, including: drawing the samurai sword guard positions, cutting blows, and blocking falling and rolling techniques, and evasive strategies standing forms and kneeling forms All of the martial arts techniques discussed in the book are performed for readers in the downloadable material to help you perfect your form. Beginners will learn everything from proper attire and behavior in the dojo to how they might practice at home, while more experienced samurai swords people will find a new appreciation for the deeper meaning and tradition behind the graceful way of the sword.

Sword of the Samurai
Sword of the Samurai

Author: Jamie Thomson

Publisher: Wizard Books

Published: 2006

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9781840467321

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The land of Hachiman is in grave danger. The Shogun's control is slipping. Bandits roam the land freely and barbarian invaders have begun to raid across the borders. All this because the Dai-Katana, the great sword, Singing Death, has been stolen from the Shogun. YOU are the Shogun's champion, a young Samurai. Your mission is to recover this wondrous sword from Ikiru, the Master of Shadows, who holds it hidden deep in the Pit of Demons.

Art of the Japanese Sword
Art of the Japanese Sword

Author: Yoshindo Yoshihara

Publisher: Tuttle Publishing

Published: 2012-09-10

Total Pages: 592

ISBN-13: 1462909965

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In The Art of the Japanese Sword, master swordsmith Yoshindo Yoshihara offers a detailed look at the entire process of Japanese sword making, including the finishing and appreciation of Japanese blades. Japanese sword art stands out in many ways: functionality as a weapon, sophisticated metallurgy and metalsmithing, the shape of the blade itself--all contribute to the beauty of these remarkable weapons. The Art of the Japanese Sword conveys to the reader Japanese samurai sword history and Japanese sword care, as well as explaining how to view and appreciate a blade. With 256 full-color pages, this sword book illustrates in meticulous detail how modern craftsmen use traditional methods to prepare their steel, forge the sword and create the unique hardened edge. By gaining a good understanding of how a sword is actually made, the reader will be able to appreciate the samurai sword more fully. Topics include: Appreciating the Japanese sword History of the Japanese sword Traditional Japanese steelmaking Making the sword Finishing the sword

The Japanese Sword
The Japanese Sword

Author: Kanzan Satō

Publisher: Kodansha International

Published: 1983

Total Pages: 218

ISBN-13: 9780870115622

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One of the foremost experts on the Japanese sword describes their history andppreciations in this book, with photographs and illustrations.

Samurai and Ninja
Samurai and Ninja

Author: Antony Cummins

Publisher: Tuttle Publishing

Published: 2016-08-09

Total Pages: 225

ISBN-13: 146291506X

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The myths of the noble Samurai and the sinister Ninja are filled with romantic fantasy and fallacy. Samurai and Ninja expert Antony Cummins shatters the myths and exposes the true nature of these very real--and very lethal--medieval Japanese warriors. The Samurai and Ninja were, in fact, brutal killing machines trained in torture and soaked in machismo. Many were skilled horsemen and sword-fighting specialists, while others were masters of deception and sabotage. Some fought for loyalty, others for personal gain. What these warriors all shared in common was their unflinching personal bravery, skill and brutality. In Samurai and Ninja, Cummins separates myth from reality and shows why the Japanese were the greatest warriors of all time: He describes the Samurai and the Ninja as they really were in earlier times when battles raged across Japan--not in later times when war became obsolete and Japanese warriors became philosophers, scholars and courtiers. He describes the social context of the day and the feudal world into which the warriors were trained to fight and die for their lords. He exposes the essentially brutal nature of warfare in medieval Japan. This book is illuminated by many rare Japanese manuscripts and texts which are translated into English for the very first time.