The traditional katana sword is fashioned only from the purest steel, which the Japanese call tamahagane ... Katana-makers use two types of tamahagane: high-carbon, which is very hard and ...

Japanese swords have always been more than just weapons, they were artworks, status symbols, and throughout history had a huge spiritual importance. Each sword is a unique artwork, and one that is ...

Tanren, or forge folding, involves heating a special type of steel called tamahagane ... But as fighting styles changed, Japanese swords became curved to make it easier to access while one ...

Japanese craftsmen have invested many years of their lives making a real work of art in the form of a Katana sword. I have always dreamed of having a Katana sword in my collection, but not ...

the katana's two different types of steel gave it optimum qualities for both, making it a highly versatile weapon in battle. In this slide show, follow the steps that a master Japanese swordsmith ...