The Sword Maker - Korehira Watan, one of Japan's last remaining Swordsmiths (Documentary)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 ม.ค. 2013
- As one of Japan's last remaining swordsmiths, Korehira Watanabe has honed his craft for 40 years while attempting to recreate the mythical Koto sword.
Korehira Watanabe is one of the last remaining Japanese swordsmiths. He has spent 40 years honing his craft in an attempt to recreate Koto, a type of sword that dates back to the Heian and Kamakura periods (794-1333 AD). No documents remain to provide context for Watanabe's quest, but he believes he has come close to creating a replica of this mythical samurai sword.
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2:57 What an honorable attitude. If only all teachers had the same view :(
I would love to be his apprentice :)
It's funny, my dad told me something similar once. Makes me proud.
Believe me you don't!
**politicians
If all teachers took that to heart then the world world would be alot smarter. Because for example if a teacher has 1000 students in their career some are bound to be teachers. Others might ignore and be disruptive but they are still getting a good role model and with the way this world is kids can use as many of those as possible.
His thoughts on passing knowledge between generations are as impressive as his swordmaking. Both are outstanding.
Yep... he's a true craftsman...
so much respect for people like this. passion for their craft. awesome
It’s sad that we are losing so much history. It makes me have anxiety when I think about the japanese culture being lost. If I got the chance to live in any period it would be as a samurai, that’d be so cool. I wish I were born then, but I still love my family and am thankful for the opportunities I have been given. I just want someone to carry on the tradition of swordmaking and keep making more and more katanas and armor so that everyone can experience the wonder of japan.
has someone else noticed some of the coolest mofos in this planet have the "don't come back here if you do that" backstory?
@Lord Shanghai many wars could be stopped with prostitutes.
What a beauty, to be devoted to something so pure and spiritual as katana making. And no doubt that today's usual steel can be better then old way katana, its not about that.. just this whole process, is so beautiful.
really wish katana makers wont die out.
I don't think it will... it's one of the main icons of an already very conservative culture...
they are like kimono and obi makers, Japanese sweet makers, and takoyaki. They are not especially needed but are desired and appreciated, both for their fine quality of craftmanship and tradition. But man i love takoyaki's.
xzazirx OMG yes... squid takoyaki...
This made me cry. It said it's a film by Takeshi Fukunaga. Well, to the film maker, the producers, and all those who went into the process of making this presentation, I do present my most heartfelt thanks, in all of my life. Thank you for helping spread awareness and care for such a precious part of the earth's traditional culture.
+Jifftastic Ghozt it made me cry also and to the directors tell the man in the film I support his choice to become a sword maker to a spread a ancient tradition that is apart of the Japanaese culture and that remake of the kuminasa is excelllent
Daniel Appleton take it apart and look for the makes signature on the blade or in some cases if its a huge fake then you won't be able to take it apart without breaking it.
Daniel Appleton genuine blades don't cost that much specially made ones cost that much like antiques and custom ordered ones
good quality and genuine would cost at most 500 maybe more most it should cost u is 800 max but you can get some for cheaper at least 200.
Daniel Appleton oh yeh her sill with her blade and chopping zombies in half has made this generation peak there interest in Katana's I for one have always loved chinease and japense martial arts so that includes there weapons and movies movies got me into liking there martial arts those old kung fu movies was epic
Daniel Appleton yeh me too i've only seen 1 or 2 bruce lee movies and I've been meaning to check outt hat new series into the badlands but if you say it isn't that good I guess I don't have much to look forward to those 70s and 80s kung fu movies where the best even the cheesy ones they still were good
Honestly, its truly is still amazing to see people still make such beauteous art life this. Katanas and other similar swords like this are a piece of art and are beautiful yet deadly. I'd love to have one of my own someday and to have one made from a maker life him would be a honor. Truly hope his skills and passion get passed on and this type of blacksmithing keeps being used
I kinda feel honored to even hear his story.
I have no particular love for the Japanese swords. I don't mind them, they're quite nice blades, but I don't fall into rapture at the very thought, as it seems many people do. But a man that has spent 40 years honing a traditional craft, has my utmost respect. That he has done so among a VERY small group of peers, swordsmiths in this case, even more so. And that he finally does it the PROPER way, not taking shortcuts with modern materials and techniques...all I can say is, I salute him.
ok
Ok
ok
I think of nothing but lots of respect for master Watan and his disciple... Truly remarkable craftsmanship and character...
you judge him after seeing a video?
d0ctorswag meaturama Seriously guys,do you have to start commenting with negative tones? Firstly, I respect this guy simply because he is one the few original sword maker in Japan. and No, I based my opinion on varieties of documentaries, books and articles. I also have several Japanese friends who happen to be knowledgeable in this field and they confirm. Secondly, I may never seen master Watan's sword in person, and that may be subject to arguments. What I adore the most from him is his originality and total commitment in his country's tradition and history. So what do you guys know about him? Does everything receive bad impressions from you all the time and you have to absolutely doubt something without even knowing who or what you are talking about?
cool
Beautiful craftsmanship simply stunning.
かっこよすぎる！！
I’m so glad this man has an apprentice to carry on the tradition. I love this mans work philosophy and teaching philosophy. Truly inspirational.
This is the most heart warming video i have seen all day.
That Shirasaya Katana he is holding is quiet possibly the most beautiful sword i've ever seen.
One of the best 3 minute videos I've ever seen
Wow I love that he aims to learn someone to be better than himself, that really shows his love of his craft and I miss seeing skills of tradition or old crafts taught.
2:59 salute for the thinking this man has.
"... don't ever come back home!" That is UNHINGED fam.
I have always wanted one of these swords. Now I really want one before the mastery is lost forever.
Excellent short film
i love it, its so special this swords ar made just amazing
I loved his dedication to the "old way".
beautiful
awesome great work
We need people like him to continue this ancient tradition
That is another reason for me why i want to be a sword smith
Damn, I could watch hours of this, if only the documentary were longer.
Very well done. It was beautiful and moving. In such a short amount of time...
INFORMATIVE
Inspiring
I hope these two men get much respect they deserve it.
i hope them to bum
I wish I could learn from a person like that.
A sword is not used for destruction, its a weapon of peace and its a bringer of soul
I wish I had a Sword like this :O
beautiful Japanese swords
If he is recognized by the Japanese Government (which I think he is) as a living heritage, he can sell a piece for more than $10,000 provided there aren't imperfections in that piece. Not all swords will come out right and some will worth more than others even if it is made by the same sword smith.
The gov't issue certificates making it an art sword and put a cap on how much a smith can produce in a year. Just like art paintings (Picasso) or photographs (Andy Warhol) that can cost thousands more. Once it is certified, it can be transported as an art piece and not a deadly weapon.
wow that looks beautiful! hurts to think of all the people it would slice through at the end... or the methods they used to have of getting rid of "too many students! too much pressure!" but I definitely understand them...
i hope they NEVER stop making swords, japanese or western, as it shows what humans can make, with time and experience. i know you can say that about anything, but i think swords are amazing, as it's so simple. it is as simple as it is elegant.
芸術家!
good film
Underrated movie
I like the fact that they'd rather let the art die than let anyone else learn it.
Respect.
My Uncle (my Fathers' twin) was one of the first soldiers in Japan right after the 2nd atomic blast. He had a sword that an old Japanese man gave him. He always said he wanted t to go back to Japan.
After he passed away in 1978, I asked my Aunt if I could honor his last wishes and take the sword back since I was heading that way for my job. She told me she had no idea what I was talking about, that he never had a sword. I told her he showed it to me, it was a very old Katana, and it belonged back in Japan.
She probably had already sold it or gave it to her brother. Several family members asked about the sword, and she kept denying it ever existed.
She died a very lonely old woman, I can't help that Karma had a big part in it. I wish I could have just sat over a cup of coffee and spoke to her one last time, to find out what really happened to the sword. .
I wish the sword was home,
I wish......
Respect the sword & the master
i love katana... its more than just sword.... i call this, the living sword... there are containing the soul & honour swords
Please, please PLEASE keep that Japanese-ness of this sword-making tradition alive. Please pass this art and technology down to our descendants. The world needs ALL of our cultures. Bless you, sir, for preserving that part of your culture for posterity.
Swordmakers never die🗡️👍
i would drop every thing in my life to become his student .
I second that notion Ive been in love with katanas and anything else with an edge since I held my first butterfly knife when I was 8
Do you wear a Fedora?
no i do not but i do ware a parka i live in alasaka
ok
Honorable trade to learn. Here in the states there are some blacksmiths doing some fine sword making. Howard Clarke comes to mind. Rick Barrett, Walter sorrels. And a bunch more that I don't know the names of.
This man lifestyle could easily be an Anime plot
are this the whole documentary or is it just a trailer?
how do i buy one?
Watanabe a samurai.
How do these guys know when to pound, when to heat up, when to pound more, etc etc etc.
how much cust that sword you making for sell?.
*Sees the name Josh Wick in the credits of a video about Japanese sword making*
My mind: "Wake the f*ck up samurai, we've got a city to burn"
本質を外してまで次の世界に伝統文化を伝えていくというのは、意味のない事だと思います。
深いなー。
Yo where can I buy a sword from him???
Hello everyone I am a photographer.
Where to find the sword makers in Japan I would like to document their traditional work.
老大爷好帅！
I want to learn how to make swords.
I need to find his students to make me few of swords....I need address if they are still available
The true philosophy of a master (teacher): to seek to make his disciple better than himself.
0:48 he just submerged an incandescent piece of steel bare handed. what the fuck
I would love to own a hand made katana by a swordsmith from japan. I know they can be very expensive but they are worth it in the end.
This sword is as sharp as it's maker's mind, and his eye too. I'm shocked by some of the idiotic and ignorant comments below ; if you don't understand the depths and beauty of the ancient Japanese master craftsmen, then just shut up, listen and learn, or else just crawl back into your world of darkness.
+musamor75 All the beauty and craftsmaship will not help you if the metal is crap. And the Japanese "traditional" metal is crap. If the metal is good, multiple folding does not help anything (the traditional forging is useless). It is not mythical, it has no depths, it is metal bar you swing around to kill people (in the case of katana unarmored peasants, because it seriously underperforms against metal armor).
+Baltazar Vok Good point mate. As a blacksmith and a sword lover I agree with you. I mean the katana is a beautiful sword. There is so much craft and tradition and it does have great slicing and dicing and cutting qualities indeed. Yes, it does have a hard edge probably harder than other swords and it is indeed much sharper than other swords BUT you don´t need such sharpness to cut your oponent arm off do you ? It is completely useless against European late medieval armour. The katana won´t pierce through a breast plate armour. I would rather prefer Ulfberth which was made of cruciable steel but people just see the katana and they go : woooow there is a spirit in the sword you don´t even have to hold the sword in your hands and it will fight for you because it´s got magic powers blah blah blah ... yes, it´s a beautiful weapon but it´s been exaggerated
+Sushi Daddy i don't know about others. but personally the other half of a swords potential should lie in it's user. it can flow in the midst of combat, no unneeded pauses, one motion after another. As for it cutting through armor, two questions to keep in mind. How capable is the user, if he's cutting sheets of metal with a pocket knife run :D The second one is whether or not we can't let's say embed diamond dust or something extremely abrasive into the cutting edge which in theory could produce a self sharpening sword.
+Baltazar Vok it wasn't used against just unarmored peasants. one flaw with armor of any kind was weak points. whether it be the opening the see outside, the mail that could stabbed through or cut with enough force to break the links or cleave. unarmored portions for better mobility. Most medival armor you could easily slip a blade under to cut the person. Second thing people tend to forget samurai had three swords at all times. A tanto, wakizashi and a katana. But seeing as they were made by the same person they'd be made the same way too.
+Jakub Hanák i feel obligated to point out a couple of things. you correctly stated that a Katana has a great slicing qualities. ... so why, with all that is crafted into such a sword, would you try to PIERCE plate armor? before i continue with the thought on my mind, i should point out two things. when the Portuguese conquistadors arrived in japan, and yes they did arrive. about 1500 or so. however briefly, they had their typical breast plate. these breast plates ranged in thickness from 1/4 inch to a mighty 1/2 thick in places. there are eye witness accounts, and first hand stories relating how a swordsman cleaved a breast plate with just a sword. this is called iajutsu, more specifically its derivative, battojutsu. the specifics of this style of draw cut are a bit beyond my meager ability to articulate. the net gain however is this: the swordsman could draw his swords with such a degree of force and speed that the majority of the cutting edge would strike his intended target. this would often ruin the sword if the strike wasn't absolutely true, but the end result was an armor that was cleaved in two.
I firmly believe that the tradition should stay when forging a Japanese Katana. Why if I could, I would learn this craft so it can be passed down to a younger generation that honors the same view. Its a spiritual passion, an art from the soul, and deep beauty. If I had the choice of having one crafted over a longer period of time by hand vs a decorative design from the best technology has to offer, the answer would be by hand. And I'll be straight with you, I love technology for everything. BUT the biggest reason is WHERE it all began. Perfect example is high speed trains. I admire the beauty and the history that it comes from. Or when you look at a computer, I think back to when they used vacuum tubes and tapes. I feel nostalgic when seeing it. But when it comes to the sword, I could not care less if its made of adamantium or some scifi crap. I bow with admiration and respect to craftsmen like Korehira Watanabe.
I realize that this may be a rude thought of some kind and I mean no disrespect in any way. I've seen Resin sculptures and designs incorporating wood, objects and other materials in the form of art. Has that same concept brought to light in creating a frozen image simulating the Japanese Katana in a cutting motion but frozen in time so to speak? I wonder if it can preserve the katana that is not intended for use but could be made into a art piece, immortalized. But if this is something that is unacceptable, then please have this idea removed with full apologies to the swordsmiths.
most people would just think it's about who can sharpen their blade the most
Is it possible to get an apprenticeship with him.
Isn't there a Japanese Law that whenever the last of licensed Katina and related sword maker's don't renew their licenses to make more of these, that there will never be a new license or replacement besides an extension on an existing one to make more of them ever again, in Japan?
I wonder if its a battle katana quality the type you carry in a war in the old times in japan....or strictly for display
I'd tell you as much as they are art they are all battle ready
Japan have the best swordsmen in history
I literally learned nothing from this. Nice.
you could have learned a lot.
Katana beautiful
"Last remaining"... ?
There are quite a few living and working in Japan
+meaturama That just not true.
Sounds about right !
Wonder why they always exaggerate/lie about these things.
There are a fair few books in English on the active ones.
'Contemporary sword smiths of Japan', is a nice one.
Also, there are at least one that is a living national treasure...
I used to visit 'Daitoken ichi' in Tokyo yearly, and there were quite a few polishers and smiths visiting too.
Beutiful japanese steel folded over 1000 times can slice bullets in half
also a butter knife can do it
Eipakh shut your gajin mouth
there is video on youtube m8
Hmm katanas made from high quality steel that wouldn't be typical for realistic standards vs a brass piece of bullet made to shatter on impact.
What kind of Japanese sword do you like my favourite is the nodachi what about yours :)
NOOOOOoooooooooo, It was only 4min, WHY?
Guy Martin has just been working with him. By all accounts Guy did a great job too
In WoW his swords would be at least purple
ววน
it will keel
I have a new sword desigin.... none nobody has thought of in the past 4000 years. If I could get a swordsmith to make it for me, I would release the design.\
is there a school where you can learn how to make Japanese swords? or you can go with a master to teach you?
With a Master!!!
I thought people like he live only in movies
Wish I could learn to make swords/katana
+Tasty tacos Gaijin will never possess the knowledge...you can't read the ancient Japanese each clan's recipe and decorative elements are written in and no one will teach you. It's deeply personal, cultural, and tightly guarded as it should be - no culture wants its most sacred symbols to be bastardized.
+Lady Cham Oh, lord...it isn't magical, and you don't shoot rainbows out of your ass. It's impressive as hell that people still keep to the old tradition, but don't make it out to be more than it is, ok? Movies and comic books aren't reality.
*****
You are very jealous! You have no culture so you must dis everyone else's...
It's a sacred object - even the Shinto blessings and the sword master's prep before making one is reverent. Let's not let things like the truth cloud your delusions. Don't you have a meth pipe to toke?
Sad!
Lady Cham Oh, lord...is that the best you can come up with?
*****
It's a heck of a lot better than your fake attempt of knowing Japanese...at least my retort is based on actual observation.
You're a fraud and anyone who researches your comments will find that out for themselves. You are desperate and quite pathetic!
Are the swords battle ready or are only wall hangers?
CODomingo Why? Are you going to battle soon?
Jo Mormont Don't be ridiculous. I'm just curious. Let's say if I am going to spend tons of money for a beautiful weapon. I want to make sure that its as authentic as those things that I see in the museum. I also want them to be as durable and wieldy as a real weapon.
CODomingo I'm just having fun with you.
I'd want it to be able to cut things too if I were to personally invest in a chunk of my money for one.
CODomingo Bro those are real swords. Meaning they will cut bones and muscle. It is not a toy he is making or sword for display. That is a stupid question. He is a real sword maker. If you want a dull fake sword go to a flea market.
+General Zod You do realize a sharpened katana is not allowed to be exported, right? If you could even remotely get one commissioned, it will be dull. It cannot have an edge and be taken out of Japan.
I wonder if he would takes students
I bet a sword like that runs in the low-mid 5 digit price range.
I really want to know how much they sale it
+Anson Wu Tens of thousands of dollars, plus you better not be a gaijin, and must proof ancestral ties to the Samurai. Hubby has such ties and when we go to Japan for 6 months next year, we are going to arrange the commission of two based upon his clan's ancient design. The home of the last katana oven has tons of ancient books showing each family intricate "recipe" and required decoration. We have to do the research then work on the actual commissioning of the work.
+Lady Cham あなたはそれの一つの言葉を信じるならば、私はゴールデンゲートブリッジ上の偉大なオファーを持っています
My hubby is fluent in Japanese. Your google translate attempt is pathetic! [The Hiragana characters are a dead give away as most true Japanese speakers use Kanji and the need for Hiragana is reserved for spelling out foreign words.]
No, I don't plan on buying the Golden Gate bridge.
You are so sad! You know nothing yet have to feign knowing a foreign language as "proof" of some supposed "superior" knowledge. Go put your tail between your legs and crawl under a table for a while. Maybe commenting under YT videos with truly educated people is beyond being a realistic goal in your pathetic little life.
+Lady Cham what do you mean gaijin what's that ? Tens of thousands what kind of dollar is it NZ dollars Australian , or japanese dollars ? I just want to buy one to put it on the table as a suvaneer and plus I know it's not for fun but keep it there and clean it everyday and use it as suvaneer , I know it's some kind of special thing or maybe it's a legend of thousands of years about ninjas or maybe something different I've watched some videos about katana and it is some kind of things that japanese people keep on save it for the rest of their family or whatever that I don't know , it is very cool and fragile that I don't want to use it and keep it safe
Anson Wu
You aren't worthy...you aren't educated, you have no blood ties, and your reasoning is that of a two year old who wants a lollipop.
I can sleep knowing no one will ever remotely entrust you with something so sacred. No Japanese sword master would be that stupid. He wouldn't put the effort in even talking to you let alone pour blood, sweat and tears to make you one.
Keep living the pipe dream, buddy. When you are done with the game controller, there is this thing called real life you should investigate.
i read this guy makes a living solely on his sword making....what would be a average price of one??
+Jess Evans If he is recognized by the Japanese Government (which I think he is) as a living heritage, he can sell a piece for $10,000 provided there aren't imperfections in that piece. Not all swords will come out right and some will worth more than others even if is made by the same sword smith.
The gov't issue certificates making it an art sword. Just like art paintings (Picasso) or photographs (Andy Warhol) that can cost thousands more.
+jpogi gtxcr1 And the Gov't put a cap on how much a smith can produce in a year. If it is properly certified, the sword is considered an art and can be transported (personally or not) as an art piece and not as a deadly weapon.
3 fiddy
Rare smith today if not using a power hammer.
can we see the fucking sword properly? holy shit etsy community..
Ali3nboy show respect to the master
Schmiedemeister Sato Munemoto
Hi
This is why HEMA fans are salty over people's love for the katana. They don't have smiths who dedicate their life for the craft.
That’s also why they fabricated stuff like how “historical longswords were springy” or how “Japanese iron was the most impure in the world” smh talk about cope
Too bad the last armor smiths passed away long ago
i am interested to b you student
i want to be your diaciple too.
I own a Confederate Saber and now days it's considered racist!
He said "hentai" at 0:14.
+Giovanny Garibo genzai 現在 is mean just now
did anyone else notice the swords look like katana's in Naruto?
This art is being killed off because of pride not lack of talent.