When I was a kid, I was fascinated by a traditional katana my grandfather had brought home from Japan in 1945. Years later, I ...

He continued to collect Japanese swords on the sidelines of his practice as a physician. Twenty-two of the 31 blades are categorized as “koto” (old swords), which date to around the 16th ...

The sword was pulled from the attic decades ago, but a recent ceremonial cleaning revealed it was a priceless heirloom from the 12th century.

Though their meticulously crafted battle armor and elaborate helmets shaped into utterly frightening countenances could fill ...