Katana-kaji — Master Japanese Swordsmiths
Katana-kaji , the master craftsman who makes the wonderful Japanese katana or tohken swords. It is possible to trace the origin of tohken to the Kojiki (Archives of the Ancient Masters) and Nihonshoki (The oldest chronicles of Japan) texts. These were considered sacred treasures rather than a weapon, offered to deities at shrines, and placed in the tombs of royals.
The Japanese katana evolved into its current form during the second half of the Heian period (11th century) with the growth of the warrior or samurai class. Even then, the naga-yari (Japanese spear) and yumi-ya (bow and arrows) were the most common weapons on the battlefield, while swords were considered more of a protective amulet, an omamori .
Today, katanas still have a similar use, ceremonial gifts at temples and shrines, and collectible treasures for fans of Japanese luxury crafts. A Katana-kaji must train for years to receive a certificate from the Japan Agency for Cultural Affairs. There are only about 300 katana-kaji masters in all of Japan.
A Katana-kaji begins the process of making a katana by creating the metal for the blade, or Jigane . Steel pieces called tama-hagane are made from powdered iron. These break into smaller pieces to be heated and form a larger piece. Continuously and repeatedly heated and struck, stretched and bent, as the steel begins to take the shape of the sword. This 900-year-old technique, called tanren , continues virtually unchanged, creating jiigane of great strength and extraordinary texture.
