Japan is known as the Land of The Swords and Japanese were the people who are skillful craftsman and swordsmen who now the art of perfection. The art of Sword making was the work of the mountain monks and this was later passed on t the blacksmiths of Japan and they carried it on for generations to generations. Making swords in ancient Japan was a very sacred work as the priest had to wear their divinely robes and would cleanse themselves by sprinkling the holy water and prayed to God for their success in their task of making these word . These people didn’t work alone and many people helped them in making swords.
After making the sword there are other people who are skilled in the craft of sharpening the blade and polishing it so that it would be really exquisite and unique. All this was done by hand. People also make sword with wood and they are called Bokken and these sword are mainly used for martial arts practice.
Togishi:
Modern Days Sword Sharpeners are called Togishi and they are skillful craftsman who know how to deliver you the goods in perfect conditions. Togishi is a skillful craftsman that has all the knowledge of Japans’ culture and tradition and polishes and sharpens the sword according to the period and style the blade is designed.
Handling Samurai Japanese Swords:
Handling the samurai swords is a very skillful task as they are specially designed to cut flesh and they are also sensitive to human skin and because of these contacts can turn into rusts. So its best to use a white cloth to wipe the stains from the blade otherwise the sharpness of the blade will be affected. But people who decorate their Samurai swords in the home don’t require to be sharpened and they just need to be rust free so that the moisture doesn’t spoil its polish.
Things that are required to sharpen and polish Samurai Swords are:
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Sharpening Kit:
These kits can be easily brought from any store and it contains all the necessary tools that are required to sharpen and maintain the sword.
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Sandpaper:
The sand paper is made from coarse fine grit and sued to rub on the sword before sharpening it.
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Oils:
The oil helps to keep the sword rust and dust free.
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Japanese Water Stones:
These stones are used to sharpen the blade and they are two types. One is the natural one and they are very expensive so people usually use the artificial ones as they are cheaper and you have to wet these stones before sharpening and rubbing the sword blades.
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Grit:
This is used to measure the abrasiveness on the sword.
Owning swords was the pride of the ancient Samurai warriors of Japan as they were weapons of war at that time. People who love to collect these antique and modern versions of Japanese Swords need to keep them in secure place so that they don’t get damaged. Collectors and historians are the real people who know the value of these swords and their related history and this is the reason that they try to polish it regularly and maintain to .When people buy the swords as a hobby they should also learn about how to sharpen and polish your swords because than only will they can be used as decorative pieces in their homes. Wooden swords don’t require much maintenance as they just need to be stored in proper place were they have the least chance of getting damaged..
The Katana Swords are the symbol of the Japan’s heritage and people who now their real value doesn’t only consider it a tools and weapons used for self defense. These swords are crafted by hand and only skilled people can do this. The Japanese swords are made of good quality steel and this steel undergoes through different heating and cooling processes that they can achieve the perfect quality required to make a real Samurai sword. Keeping these masterpieces requires caring and proper storing them only will these pieces survive and remain intact.
The skilled craftsman recommend the Japanese swords to be kept in places that are protected fro the erosive elements of heat and moisture and must also clean it on a regular basis so that rust doesn’t settle on it and damage it in the process. The sword should be cleaned with different chemicals that help to polish and help oil I n the bets way. The sword should not loose its sparkling polish for which it is well known around the world. After the sword is oiled it is powdered and then wiped so as to get rid of any moisture that is left as it is will surely help in cleaning and polishing it .People should always be careful never to touch the blade as the moisture in your fingers and hand can cause the blade to rust.
This way it will become a battle ready sword with a shining and sharp blade. And people who are the real collectors will love to store these antique pieces. People can choose from the different shapes and sizes of the swords and buy the most appealing piece that they need to collect. People also keep their swords on sword stand s as this really keeps them free from damages and intact.
Simply treating your edged weapons with respect and care will easily keep them looking brand new for many years to come.
Every sword owner should respect and take great care of their weapons. Swords can be damaged easier than you think and although they are made of strong metal they will get scratched and dinted if struck against something equally hard. Do not strike your sword against another sword or against and hard object.
The sort of parrying you see in theatrical sword fights are not the way the sword was designed to be used. Theatrical swords have a very wide and blunt edge, this helps protect them from damage when striking another sword. Your sword on the other hand has a very delicate and sharp edge. It was designed for cutting, slicing and slashing.
Always use your newly purchased sword for its intended use, ie. do not try to cut down a tree or hack a shopping trolley to bits. Doing so is neglect to your prized weapon and will result in it being badly damaged. If you want to practice cutting movements with your sword use either a plastic bottle half filled with water or branches from a bamboo tree. Both of these or not as stable or rigid as a tree or other heavy object. Striking these objects will not cause the blade of your sword to bend or warp and you can still effectively practice your sword style.