Samurai swordsmiths a dying breed (News report)

[xploring]

The art of crafting Japanese swords is in danger of dying out as the number of swordsmiths declines rapidly.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/video/2011/06/24/3253310.htm

Talks about the sword making profession in Japan.
Thought it would be interesting for Shogun players.
Includes footage of sword making and wielding.

[Ice]

That was interesting. Thanks.

[Samurai Waki]

The Bushido code (and I should say Chivalry as well) has died a horrible death... not all of it bad surprisingly, there is no need for Samurai anymore, ergo no need for Samurai swords. Still it's a shame, I demand a Hattori Hanzo. ;)

[Fragony]

there is no need for Samurai anymore, ergo no need for Samurai swords

Open a blacksmith in Manhattan and get filthy rich, can you think of a better relationship-gift? Everybody will want one

[rajpoot]

I thought there wasn't a shortage of collectors who wanted to own authentic katanas and such.

[Moros]

Overrated swords anyway.

[Kagemusha]

Nihonto smiths have been a dying breed since allied occupation, when making of swords was prohibited. Since the ban was lift there was surge in numbers of swordsmiths, but i guess the older generation is getting old and there arent enough young people to take their place.

Moros why so hostile? There has not been battle field value for those in ages any way. Their only value is aesthetical value of beautifull handcraft Nihonto are.

[edyzmedieval]

Overrated swords anyway.

Sure, they cut a piece of paper by just touching it, overrated indeed. ~;)

[The Stranger]

Overrated swords anyway.

doubleheaded viking axes! hhaaarrrahahaha

[A Nerd]

People prefer their cell phones and other fancy electronics nowadays I guess. One can always own a well crafted samurai sword in memory I guess. :(

[drone]

People prefer their cell phones and other fancy electronics nowadays I guess. One can always own a well crafted samurai sword in memory I guess. :(

Need a finely crafted work of art and death? There is, unfortunately, no app for that. :no:

[A Nerd]

The world that existed when swords were being hand crafted is dead. We have all the apps to thank for that.

[Togakure]

Need a finely crafted work of art and death? There is, unfortunately, no app for that. :no:
Actually, there was for me, some time back. I went to the back porch one summer morning, yawned, and stretched. I heard my cat in his "dogloo" (a giant plastic insulated igloo-shaped house for a pet), munching away at his breakfast. I scanned the backyard, and noted how shiny and white my cat was, sitting back there in the corner of the yard, staring at his apartment. But why is his tail twitching? Wait ... if he is there, then ... what ...?

I stepped out quietly and looked inside the narrow opening of the dogloo. Inside was the biggest, ugliest, smelliest possum that I'd ever seen. He sensed me, turned and hissed with baleful crimson eyes burning a warning at me. The day before, I had noticed that my cat had a puncture in his brow, and another smaller one in his jaw. It looked as if he'd been bitten by something. Now I knew, and I became very malevolent, as my kitties were my babies at the time.

The Dogloo was deep and the possum was now backed up against the back of it. This was unacceptable and I decided his doom. On my mantle rested a daisho I had purchased from Bugei Trading Company, cutting blades, not decorative pieces. I retrieved the katana and tsuki'd the possum (I'll leave out the gory details; they were extraordinary). It was dead summer and super hot, so I disposed of the carcass in the park garbage can across the street, where the Chicano gangstas tended to hang out. Maybe the ripe smell would keep them away for a day or two.

My cat was very pleased. I scrubbed the dogloo with Simple Green three times to no avail--the musk wouldn't come off, so I had to trash it and get a new one. But for the job I chose to execute, under these specific circumstances, the katana was the most practical tool for the job.

[Hax]

I retrieved the katana and tsuki'd the possum

You should have gone "men! men! men! men! men! men!"