Category: Swords

From the “kissaki” tip through the gentle curve of the blade, to the intricately designed “tsuba” hand guard and hilt, the traditional Japanese sword can be a work of art as well as a fearsome weapon. For Paul Martin, who grew up in London’s East End, it was seeing the classic 1974 gangster film “The…

Four remarkably well-preserved Roman swords, dating back nearly 2,000 years, have been unearthed in a cave near the Dead Sea, announced the Israel Antiquities Authority. Hidden behind stalactites in the Desert of Jericho, these swords, complete with scabbards, guards, and handles, offer an extraordinary glimpse into the past. The discovery occurred in June within Israel’s…

This volume is an invaluable resource for both new enthusiasts and experienced collectors of traditionally forged Japanese blades-whether long swords, short swords, or daggers. Nobuo Nakahara, a Japanese sword researcher and lecturer, takes a rational and discriminating approach to sword appreciation, closely examining long-held ideas and reevaluating them from a historical and functional perspective. His…

Japanese samurai swords, known as “katana” or “nihonto”, are renowned for their craftsmanship, sharpness, and historical significance. An authentic katana possesses distinctive features that have remained consistent throughout Japan’s rich history. Here are five essential elements of Japanese samurai swords that enthusiasts and collectors should know: 1. Blade The heart and soul of a Japanese…

Japanese swords, renowned the world-over, owe their artistry to ancient Emperor Gotoba and the skilled craftsmen he attracted. Crowdfunding now aims to save the art with a twelve-sword project. In the 3rd year of Jōkyu (1221) in the Kamakura period, the cloistered Emperor Gotoba (1180-1239) raised an army to attack the Hojo Regents of the…

Weapons collectors and historians have been warned about impending law changes which will make it illegal to own samurai swords and flip knives. Changes to the Offensive Weapons Act 2019 are expected later this year, and will mean items such as curved swords, with a blade larger than 50cm, and flip knives will no longer…

Modelers and enthusiasts of swords and the Roman Empire should appreciate THE SPATHA, THE ROMAN LONG SWORD, a recent release from OSPREY PUBLISHING. The Spatha, The Roman Long Sword is a recent release from Osprey Publishing in the series Weapon, title number 72. Authored by M.C. Bishop and illustrated by Peter Dennis, the book is…

You can say goodbye to Sword & Shield at the end of the year with luxury merchandise! The Sword & Shield Precious Collector Box has been revealed, featuring Pokemon Card Game merchandise with a luxurious design. Priced at 17,600 yen, this collector box comes with a special Pikachu promo card. More official product images have…

With traditions that span millennia, Japanese blades come in many forms. The most widely collected is the katana because of its association with the samurai. Japanese swords, collectively called nihontõ, are classified by the eras in which they were made: jokoto are ancient blades made until 900 AD; koto (“old swords”) were forged until the…

For centuries, Japanese swords have been collected in Japan as highly valuable works of art. Joining aesthetic and practical use, the samurai sword is a unique weapon, similar to no other. The appeal of these blades has never ceased to amaze western collectors as well, as they can be considered the first form of abstract…