Japanese sword
Curved Asian blade
A Japanese sword is a blade forged using traditional Japanese methods, characterized by a curved, single-edged design and distinctive tempering patterns along the edge.
The katana is the most recognized type, though the category includes shorter blades like the wakizashi and tantō.
Japanese swords are prized both as weapons and as art objects, with master-forged examples commanding extraordinary prices.
The museum's collection of Japanese swords spans five centuries.
Curved Japanese fighting blade
Samurai honor system
- seppukuRitualized Japanese self-disembowelment
- daimyoJapanese feudal landowner
- shogunJapan's military supreme commander
- roninFeudal drifter-warrior
warrior · honor · loyalty · valor · nobility · integrity · courage · dignity
Furnace for shaping metal
- temperingControlled heating and cooling
- blacksmithIron-shaping craftsperson
- polishingSmoothing by friction
- quenchingRapid cooling process
folding · steel · anvil · hammering · tang · smithy · metalwork · engraving
Mocking or surprised outburst
Japanese martial blade art
- iaidoMartial art of drawing swords
- kendoJapanese bamboo fencing
- dojoMartial arts school
- kataMartial arts movement pattern
sensei · sparring · fencing · cut · strike · parry · thrust · draw
Military dictatorship in Japan
- ShintoJapanese animistic tradition
- traditionCustom passed through generations
- antiqueOld valued collectible
- relicPreserved ancient object
museum · collector · provenance · certification · appraisal · restoration · preservation
katana
Curved Japanese fighting blade
cut
Severance or reduction
sever · pierce · strike · parry · thrust · draw · edge · blade · keen · razor
bushido
Samurai honor system
- seppukuRitualized Japanese self-disembowelment
- daimyoJapanese feudal landowner
- shogunJapan's military supreme commander
ronin · warrior · honor · loyalty · valor · nobility · integrity · courage · dignity · prestige
forge
Furnace for shaping metal
- temperingControlled heating and cooling
- blacksmithIron-shaping craftsperson
- polishingSmoothing by friction
quenching · folding · steel · anvil · hammering · tang · smithy · metalwork · engraving · carving
ha
Mocking or surprised outburst
kenjutsu
Japanese martial blade art
kata · sensei · sparring · fencing · cut · strike · parry · thrust · draw · sheathe
shogunate
Military dictatorship in Japan
- ShintoJapanese animistic tradition
- traditionCustom passed through generations
- antiqueOld valued collectible
relic · museum · collector · provenance · certification · appraisal · restoration · preservation
Japanese swordbroadsword
Wide-bladed cutting weapon
claymore · Viking sword · bastard sword · arming sword · rapier
Japan, Japanese, sword, swords, swordsman, swordsmen, swordsmanship, swordlike, swordplay