I love how calming and silent this documentary is. Documentaries nowadays are like action movies with blockbuster background music and over usage of cuts.
I've seen plenty of documentaries that uses electron microscopes and laser scanning and all that to show the molecular structure of these swords, and that's really cool, but the simple demonstration using Playdough was probably the most effective one in showing why these swords are so special. What a great documentary
I love how this is a metaphor for human life. Impurities make us weaker and heavier. Hammering them out is painful but necessary to become lighter, stronger, more beautiful.
This doc not only shows the style of japanese swordsmith but also his patience, resilience, hard work and concentration his willing to put in his masterpiece following the time that goes in crafting one. Just facinating!!!
I hope these traditions never die. This is art, pure art based on thousands of years of trials and errors, blood, passion, sweat, tears and pride. I love the bushido philosophy. What a fascinating country Japan is, oh my God
unfortunately traditions have no place in the new world we create, few more generations and tradition will mean reading your facebook feed in the morning while you take a dump
zznug 2 actually no. It just depends on how u live your life my culture is still strong and I see young people around me also taking actively steps to keep it alive... I assume u r a westerner. I encourage u to do the same. Do everything in ur power to keep ur culture alive sir. 👍🏻
@@Anna15077 Yes you are right...we need to take steps to keep it alive because its barely breathing! I live in eastern Europe, my country has a fare amount of history and pride in its history, and I can see how in the last 10 - 15 years people are drastically distancing themselves from their true traditions and replacing them with any other tipe of tradition they are bombarded with on the internet/media/press. For example I saw this happening at most of the places I worked at, people running the place where copying the management system imported from another country, im not saying you shouldn't learn from others and improve, but improve upon your work don't just copy what someone else did. And im talking even about businesses like food serving, I can see a HUGE decline from traditional food to modern food, where people don't open businesses providing traditional food because its more expensive and labor intensive to make it over the modern easier alternative(even if the easy alternative provides less nutrients, harmful chemicals and artificial flavor). My country even has the western example of why tradition is good to keep but we are still not stopping from throwing it out the window for no apparent good reason.
I watch this at least once every month or two, along with other videos featuring Yoshindo san. He is not only an absolute master of his art, but a very warm and wonderful man as well. And very courageous to press on in teaching the next generation following the tragic death of his son, who was his heir apparent.
Oh man, that is so tragic... I'm really sorry for him. So unfortunate that the line of his family tradition is now broken, I mean it could very well go back for centuries, which is the case for many master craftsmen of his reputation/standing in Japan. But I'm glad that he keeps going and even trains the next generation. That is true tradition and something really worth doing.
I just watched for the sixth time, I am still amazed at the attention to detail and the way that the hamon comes to life. I will probably be watching it again, and again.......
Perhaps you can answer a question for me. I feel the value of a pc' like this transcends monetary value but in a world where such, affixing price to objects, is the way what would you approximate to be the cost of the sword crafted in this video?
Generations of information, technique, skill, craftsmanship, dedication and tradition ingrained into each sword. Truly Amazing. How can you not Love and Admire the Japanese people...
This is one of the most enjoyably cogent documentaries I've seen on katana making-free of a lot of annoying pseudo Japanese music, and dumb reenactments of samurais. Every step is explained with Japanese words and processes displayed. Thank you kindly!
david lefort There's nothing wrong with him pointing out the good quality, especially in comparison to the other trashy "documentaries" out there. And it's not a matter of intelligence - I wouldn't have known it's Japanese made either if I didn't read the credits by chance.
I loved this documentary. It gave a sense of artistry, dignity and sense of beauty from crafting a katana without glorifying the sword itself. It is rare to see documentaries about the Samurai Sword that don't say its the best sword of all time.
On the other side of that coin, imagine the thrill of discovering a new or better material or way to do what they were perfecting. Makes me smile thinking about how hyped they must've been, although rarely.
It was likely just like the I-phone-- meaning these were ideas discovered over centuries, such as hardening techniques and brittle vs flexible, ect... and someone just came along and took those known techniques of metallurgy and even adding a harder strip of steel for the edge like they do in Axes, but then put them all together with that new innovation of differential hardening using the clay---- gotta love it. Built off the shoulders of giants; that's how most things are in our species; we tend to take for granted all the things we know as "common knowledge", when every bit of it was a break through at some point in the past.
A little-known fact about Japanese swords. 1. Japanese swords have been famous in Asia since the middle ages, and they were exported to China, Korea and distant Asian countries. Influenced by Japanese swords used by pirates in the medieval period, some swords in China and Korea came to resemble Japanese swords. 2. The forging method used by modern Japanese swordsmiths was developed in Japan in the 1500s. In the 1500s, the Bizen school of swordsmiths, the largest group of swordsmiths in Japanese swords, was destroyed by a great flood, and uniform steel began to circulate throughout Japan, so the accurate forging method of Japanese swords before that was not accurately inherited. Therefore, Japanese swords are divided into the Koto Period (Old sword period) before the 1500s and the Sintho Period (New sword period) after that. 3. Since the 1900s, Koreans came to Japan and learned how to make Japanese swords from Japanese swordsmiths. Using this technology, they started to make swords in Korea, and they claim that "We are restoring old Korean swords in a traditional way.". However, these technologies were developed in Japan in the 1500s and are forging technologies in the Sinto period (New sword period). In addition, most of the restored swords are similar to Japanese swords exported from Japan to Korea in the medieval period and not to Korean old swords.
@@user-ze7ml6ec9m Old katana is most beautiful ,sharp and strong. New katana (1500〜) can't compete. It's because of material and method. So japanese had treated old katana as family clan's treasure for long time until GHQ banned. Famous and legendary katana in japan is almost old. Poor english from a japanese.sorry.
Those forging technologies were developed by the Norsemen a full thousand years before the Japanese entered the age of steel.. Open a fuckin book dude.
This is amazing. In this day and age i find real appreciation for something that is made with true craftsmanship and respect for the ability of the craftsman. Something that is truly handmade
For some reason I have been addicted to watching sword making videos lately. I think it's the idea of creating a one of a kind tool using metal to create a unique work of art. Making a katana looks to be very work intensive, complex, and requires a lot of skill and expertise but the end product is totally worth all the hard work that went into it.
+jhhwild You can make a "soup can" forge for pretty cheap, and small, short pieces of steel at the right grade aren't hard to find online. If you're interested in making your own blade, you can definitely forge your own for surprisingly little. Oh, and Borax makes for a very reliable flux in metallurgy. It's cheap, too.
CheffBryan I'm not sure if I'll ever make one but maybe someday I'll look into it. It doesn't seem like something you can simply pick up and master, you need lots of practice and time to dedicate to it so I would need to be very motivated and have lots of time to set aside for it if I ever wanted to try it
I don’t know how many times I have watched this but I know it never gets old. I love how much care they put into everything they do. The swords are beautiful and in my eyes priceless.
@@joshglover2370 you won't be able to , I mean the original one , you might get a duplicate Katana instead , since there are so many fake knife makers .
even the village blacksmith kept their forge in the shadows of their shop in order to view the different colors of the steel and iron they were working in order to gauge temperatures. And they very often used Iron and welded steel heads to tools such as chisels and splitting wedges since hardenable steel was at a premium back in the day.
Why the fuck would I wanna buy some shit that would last a thounsend years I aint living that long to enjoy it......and if I do what would I do with it for a thowsend years??......I might as well get a chair that last me a thowsend years so I can sit down and watch it for a thowsend years getting dust and rotten....or should I make a use of it killing people cutting their heads off for a thowsend years instead ???....all the rest is bullshit ...a brain wash to those who dont know what todo with their money. ......why dont you use that money to feed the poor people for a thowsend years???........a thowsend years!!...GTFOH!!.....nonesense.......
5 ปีที่แล้ว +10
Why are you watching a video detailing just that lifestyle.
I’m more into western swords. Though they are certainly not the super swords pop culture and anime makes them out to be, as someone who dabbles in metalwork, I certainly respect the blacksmiths and the product they make. Their techniques are indeed fascinating.
This was amazing ! I’m not sure I’d open up my workshop and demonstrate hundreds of years of “secret” sword making…but I’m glad this master sword smith did as a study in an integral part of feudal Japan.
I have been watching documentaries for over 40 years, and this program rates very high. I offer my thanks to the professionals who shared the mysteries of their craft, and to the people who wrote, produced, and presented this program. Well done.
that clay model explanation of why they cross cut the steel bars just blew my mind. The wonders of how centuries old techniques come up with this knowledge. Such a humble and modest skill that are centuries ahead of it's time.
Actually these skills are not ahead of their time. The Vikings used folded steel for their swords centuries before and the Scythians along with many other cultures used differential hardening. That doesn't mean it isn't remarkable craftsmanship though.
Formidável a técnica empregada no fabrico dessas espadas. Que nunca se perca esse conhecimento ancestral, por respeito aos grandes mestres que dedicaram as suas vidas, a dar vida a essas espadas. Um grande abraço e um muito obrigado por mostrar o seu belo trabalho. Daqui de Portugal envio um forte abraço com muito carinho, para essa cultura do Japão tão maravilhoso.
The Japanese, their culture, the amazingly meticulous way they do things. It makes me smile. In a time where it seems that everything is done halfway or with corners cut, they do things The right way.. this video is proof of the professionalism and hard work they put in with everything they do.
No, they don't do it the right way. They do it a particular way. Often times, this can mean a good way, but it can also mean a bad way. You need to understand Japanese culture where the actions of the previous generation are revered, and not to be questioned, even if they're sub par. For example, look at Kyudo. Quite possibly the worst way to shoot a bow, and it's all built up based on silly nonsense that's cultural.
Before rampant neo liberalism destroyed them america and Europe were packed to the gills with master craftsman the likes of which history hasn't seen before or again. When i buy stuff i need, i try to buy things made in the 1800s and either restore them or have an american craftsman do it. I promise you that meticulousness that you revere is in your own back yard. I know because i revere it too and have known many, many, many people who are in the top teir of their craft who are so knowledgeable about their trade that they literally have dozens of lifetimes of knowledge on the subject. There are tons of home hobby blacksmiths and leather workers whose work I'd put up against anybody. People who create all their own materials and many of their own tools from scratch including leather(harvest- tanning- finishing and production), iron from (raw ore), steel(ore and charcoal) , their forges(from clay they dug) and anvils. These people are a little harder to find because we are drowning in corporate, consumerist garbage but if you look real hard they are around. Eventually they'll try to remove us all because independent tradesmen are the difference between a financially free society and serfdom.
@Sir Scrotus nah, politicians flooding the country with unskilled labor and highly skilled artisans don't work for $5/hr. Id sit at home before I would work for peanuts . America didn't have that problem until the immigration act of 1965.
This is honestly an honor to witness. Such skill and dedication that goes into making such a strong and powerful yet beautiful work of art is truly admirable.
Indeed, it’s a stark contrast to the mass production of these swords going on in China today. No respect for the craft or history what so ever it seems.
Assuming he is still alive and has the strength to swing a hammer, imagine how much more refined his technique has become, and what kind of a masterpiece he could make.
@Timmy P leading cause of death in men aged 20-44 in Japan is suicide. I would guess it has something to do with social pressures and, ultimately, stress.
@Timmy P that well may be true. Also, I'd have to confirm that but I _think_ Japan is getting better (but still up there). I'll try looking for statistics over time later and update this comment if I'm wrong. Anyway, I doubt the relationship with longevity and stress is just that clear cut simple. You can't eliminate stress, and probably shouldn't. But learning ways of reacting to it may be what makes the difference. Obviously, Japanese aren't some mythological utopian stoic creatures that live long because they mastered the art of minimizing stress. They are just people after all.
Superb documentary. It effectively ties together the absolute artistry of the sword making with the superb lethality and love of the weapon as a whole. It must have been a thing of absolute lethal beauty to see a Samurai use a sword like this in combat.
Roy Dowd It would probably let you down. They weren't superbly lethal really. Cutting power is comparable to most lighter longswords and they were seldom used in combat. Their primary purposes were spiritual, as a status symbol, a backup weapon of your spear or Naginita snapped, and used in duel. Japanese warfare and fighting was not revolved or dependent upon their swords as most people think nor were they more skilled than most other society's in swordsmithing or swordsmanship. Don't get me wrong the Japanese were great smiths and fighters just they are hugely overestimated by most.
Katanas were great for cutting down unarmored peasants who weren't respectful enough. For real fighting, samurai used spears...like just about every other culture.
Absolutely humbling, I have been I the metal industry all my life and never have I seen this level of intricate art , truly this is an art in itself ! 🙏🏼
I saw a documentary, of an American blacksmith, try his hand, at sword smithing. It was very inspiring. He was only in his, late twenties, early thirties. He was more into, Nordic swordsmanship.
@@codered5431 I do hope so, as he was born in 1943. He was here in Italy during the Kendo Worldwide Championship, it was May the 21st, 2012, so a lot of time ago. That evening he did a thing never done before outside Japan, he showed us the hardening phase of a Shinken. Several time in the past he showed the hardening phase, but they were shorter blades, typically a Tanto.
Thank you for posting! Swordsmithing in Japan truly is a form of art! The Japanese people truly do value quality of work above all else! I have a tube stereo made in Japan in the 1960s and it truly is a wonderful piece of gear to have, much like these swords!
You can clearly see the amount of work here, when i watch english videos, they just hammer a piece of metal, but here, they hammer it, use secret technics, fold it, hammer it, add layers, use ninjutsu of the masterswordsmith, fold it, use different combinations of metals, use badass words, hammer it, then hammer it, and hammer it, then use other secret technics, then repeat the whole process 845 times. Seriously, this is really impressiv and damn now I want to be a freaking swordsmith like that
I've watched this probably 30 times at least. Yoshindo says that if his apprentice can't learn from watching he doesn't want to teach them anyway. I really hope to make a katana
As a Westerner I am honoured to have been able to see this piece of Nippon history. It is a part of their soul that conquered the world with its beauty!✌️🙏
I'm totally speechless! Like that was one of the most beautiful works of art I have ever witnessed . The pride ,the tradition, through out the beginning of time and all with simple hand tools used in such presidency if not the whole thing is trash just to master that is just totally fucking awesome. The patience alone to make something so beautiful but yet one of the deadliest weapons ever . I always said I would never bow down to no man but man I'm on my knees bowing . I'm a better person for watching that for real . Puts alot in perspective about how technology has taken away so much tradition in this world . Thanks for that video!
This is what I love about Japan - focus on what you are creating, be patients & dexterous, and true works of art will emerge - no matter whether it is swords, kimonos, food, gardens etc.
The voice of the narrator is soft to the ears and the creator of this video has mastered editing because there were no fillers and all scenes are needed to fully and completely understand.
Found this after watching a documentary on Damascus steel blades and I just have to say how awesome the overall history of sword making techniques from different cultures is to see.
Just did some digging online. The swordsmith featured in this documentary is Yoshindo Yoshihara, and for all wondering, he is still alive and actively making masterpieces.
To add to you research, his son, bless his soul also forged katanas but passed away prematurely due to cancer, if I remember correctly. I believe his grandson will now continue the legacy
@@yoyojoe9240 US$60,000 is definitely a large pricetag, but you get a one-of-a-kind piece made by a master of a technique that's been used for centuries. I feel it's worth it if you have the kind of money to afford it.
@@flra00788 I'm very sorry to hear that. It's a tragedy that yet another great artist was taken from us-and especially from his family-too soon. I am, however, glad that the next generation is continuing the family tradition. Thanks for the update.
In doing so he is also gauging how much O2 he is adding so he doesnt create scale on the metal.nor deplete his coal to fast, this is the part that amazes me the most. We look at this as if its all metal skills and yet the metal work is just a small part... its almost a religion!
I have an enormous respect for the art. When I was a lowly apprentice in the culinary arts to become a Chef, I had the honor to learn under a renowned Japanese Chef, Sukie. When I graduated Sukie had a set knives made for me. Sukie's Family have been making Samurai swords for 9 generations. The best set of knives ever. Chef Ken
That is incredible. Their dedication to a discipline is second to none. I dedicated over 4 decades of training in the Aiki arts and at times directly under a Shihan from Japan. The concept of Shugyo is not easily understood nor earned.
Possibly the most informative, no Bullshit, down to earth documentary about Nihonto on the internet. Too bad I would've liked to see also the polishing and the koshirae making process in more depth, but still this was amazing. Yoshihara sensei is truly a living treasure for Japan that makes me proud of being half japanese :)
"No bullshit?" The first several minutes is nothing but "Oh, the beauty, the wonderfulness, the amazingness". Nothing BUT bullshit. Then followed by factual errors galore.
+MoonEyes2k Yeah, because saying that the katana is beautiful is bullshit right? Cmon dude, you lost the battle in the other comments too, I have no time to deal with little cringy beings like you... Bye bye!!
Wow. That's an impressively chickenshit escape, that is. Usually, twerps like you at least like to TRY and pretend they have an argument other than "because I saw it in my comic books!" But I suppose you realized your shot your mouth off. Surprising but promising.
+MoonEyes2k Your certainty that everyone who thinks Katanas are beautiful and magnificent objects of art is a weaboo is the reason I see how pointless it's to continue """discussing""" with you. Of course I know that a monosteel sword made nowadays is better compared to the ones made in this way, but as a half Japanese too, I feel like these one have more soul compared to the modern ones. Also it you think I'm part of the herd of weaboos who proclaim how the katana is FOLDED 384378229 TIMES! IT CAN CUT DIAMOND TOO!!!! then you are wrong as ever bro...
while +mooneyes2k is technically correct in that the intro contained a lot of fluff. Its hardly relevant to what joel nordio is commenting on. Its certainly not "bullshit" it was just...colourful and flavoursome to begin with. I thought it was an appropriate introduction that was perfectly short and sensational.
I'm not Japanese and I do not know the history of Samurai in detail, but I will one day own a Katana to support this amazing art and to own a treasure that will last for centuries.
I wouldn't call it a treasure. I mean, it's a work of art, but it's not really any different then any other weapon that has the same time put into it. /shrug
No, it says nothing. Accidents happen. Failure to wear safety gear kills and injures millions worldwide. Two major groups are mist likely to be injured: brand new employees with zero training is first. Without knowing better, they can be harmed through ignorance. Once they have even a little training they become wary of the tools and tend to be pretty safe. The other major injury prone group are the old, very experienced worker who thinks 'im too smart to hurt myself. When hiring experienced finish marine carpenters, my dad used to count fingers. It was rare to get to 10. Working my life in shops of 5-10 men, ive seen 5 partial amputations (including the tip of my own 3rd finger because I wash rushing, numerous head injuries saved by hardhats, uncounted eye injuries prevented by safety glasses, toes saved by safety boots. Three of the fingers lost were very experienced workers pulling stocking through a saw Safety gear saves injuries, anybody who denies it needs to be prevented from ever training any new workers their bad habits. In fact, i wont even accept that in my shops any longer Wear the gear or get out
The biggest reason they can do this safely is because its a bespoke item that will be ready when its ready. Nearly every accident I have seen in the workplace is the result of someone being rushed to churn out work at an unsustainable pace.
@@markdoldon8852 all your points are proven, from the standpoint of manufacturing in big business with people working at a pace that could possibly put them in danger without ppe. These are craftsmen, making an item that will be "done when it's done" their hammering is not only light and slow for shapping, but to AVOID hazards. Also the types of steel they use doesn't spark like iron or standard steel when struck. You're an idiot for even commenting on a subject that doesn't even call for your input like that, seriously.
@@Lanewreck You're an idiot. Safety gear and PPE is critically important regardless of the pace or purpose of your work, because accidents happen to everyone. I've been working metal for years as a personal hobby, at my own pace, never rushing, never working tired, etc., and I still have all of my eyes, ears, and fingers in good working order because I always protect them with appropriate safety gear, not because I can just magically "avoid hazards" by working slower.
Its pretty appropriate to identify it as the Japanese sword, given that there are many variations on the traditional Katana. Dai-Katana, Odachi, Wakizashi, even the tanken knife all have the same basic construction, but in different sizes, demanding different uses and techniques in combat. Just goes to show how deep of an art form this is.
It amazes me how ancient processes like this must have evolved over time to reach this level of perfection. Clay slurry, paper, rice straw, pine charcoal etc...
That they figured out all of the various and intricate details is astounding. People tend to attribute mythical qualities to katanas, but the reality is just as amazing. The swordsmiths had to start out with a rather low quality magnetite and make good steel from it. That and the processes they discovered are miraculous enough.
@@jrob4795 No, they did not have a good supply of iron, which the video touches on a bit. Mostly it was what is known as "iron sand" which had to be be combined into solid chunks. . Since they had no good way to separate the iron sand from impurities, the chunks of steel they produced were loaded with impurities. Whereas with iron ore, the smelting process gets rid of a lot of the impurities. . Since they couldn't produce large pieces of steel, they had to master combining layers of different chunks of steel. . Since those folding the steel several times helped with making sure the welds were good, that was done. That also helped separate the impurities, which found their way to the surface and were scraped away to make sure the surfaces would stick for each fold. . The end result is a pretty solid product, but it's rather labor-intensive and took a lot of trial & error to figure out.
This is a live version of the book "The craft of the Japanese Sword". I fawned over that book in my late teens during the late 90's. Thank you for the upload.
He dedicated himself to the artistry and craftsmanship of sword making. Only it doesn’t seem like a sword at all. The amount of detail and time into building it made it feel like it came to life out of the flame of his forge. It’s beautiful and functional. I loved this it’s the documentary I didn’t know I needed. Once I began I couldn’t stop watching. Good video.
I just google translated the Japanese word "Jihada " to English, " Skin " is what Google says, What I really think it means is " Soul," or " Spirit " or even "Character." Almost like the" Essence of a Rune." It is an honor to be able to watch this rare treat of a Master Swordsmith and his skills in action. The doubling effect with every fold is like sacred geometry with metals. The golden ratio of carbon.
One of my prized posessions is a Japanese short sword my friend brought back to America in 1945. He said there was a huge pile of swords being cut up to disarm the Japanese. He asked his CO if he could have one and picked one out. I traded pre 1933 U.S. gold coins for this priceless to me Wakazashi. After the signature was examined I was told my sword was made in 1661. I will treasure it to my dying day.
You should try to find the family it belong and give it back to them its à spoil of war and it belong to their rightful owner probably they will buy it back from you at a fair price
..depending upon the Economy, being such an old sword, if it otheriwse is in good or better condition, I'm sure a Japanese Sword House/Studio-shop or the Diet might purchase it off you for a good sum to 'repatriate it'. Otherwise care for it, a little de-ionized water (non of that republican state's polluted water), a soft cloth, occasional talcum-powder to absorb water drops & water-mark smears etc,..
HOLY FUCK NUTS, that’s insane of costing a minimum of $50,000 & that’s enough to buy a brand new stinking car for that fucking price. That is one hell of a price that would fuck you up the ass for just costing that much just for a damn Katana Sword made by him & that’s a minimum of that price, good freakin lord 😱😱. Like I sure wouldn’t buy a damn sword that costed that much but if costed around at least maybe couple of hundred to $500 at the MOST then yea I would but $50,000, hell no.
@@lordblackheart6270 These are not mere swords. They are familial heirlooms - passed down from generation to generation, many for over a thousand years or more. Yes, it is a very expensive heirloom, but the commissioner of this sword will have the satisfaction of knowing that his descendants will have this treasure and will think of him each and every time they admire it. Can you say the same thing about your new entry level BMW?
The fire starting tradition this master sword maker begins for his work is definitely very cool to watch... The samurai sword has to be one of the greatest weapons ever created.
As a 49-year-old American I have had a love affair with the Japanese sword since I was a teenager. I once had the honor of seeing one from the late 1800s. Passed down many generations still owned by the family. Thank you Ish.
Compare this to a seed becoming a full grown oak tree or redwood tree, it takes many years to become even a rookie in sword making. Patience is extremely vital and important and thats what makes this so unique and inspiring. Personally its amazing that Japanese Swordmaking is under close eyes to make sure the sword comes out with no flaws or kinks in the metal itself
Surprisingly. Not many. As the Japanese culture had a high literacy rate and was able to pass down the process by written instruction. This how the Japanese were able create such a weapon and superb steel.
I have always admired the focus and discipline of the Japanese people. How they seem to dedicate themselves to the perfection of their talent, skillset and craft is utterly inspirational.
Im always just amazed that these smiths are able to hammer out a perfectly proportioned and symmetrical blade by beating a length of heated steel with a hammer. To do something like that with nothing but eyeball judgement is just amazing
Mr Kojitso, this is the 2nd time I have watched you work, I know it has taken years to learn your profession and you are amazing in your small work place.AMAZING.
The fact that they figured out how to build the best edged weapon and the best steel in the world, still to this day, 700+ years ago is almost unfathomable. It's amazing, to say the least.
There must have been soooo many weak, terrible, non-functioning blades made before the smiths figured out what was required and what was free to be altered as each artist desired! We only see the finished product, but I am confident that blood, sweat and tears went into each of these, successful or not.
@@Centermass762 best steel, HAH. i mean these are good swords but they arnt especially or uniquely good swords. also they bend really easily if you fuck up your cutting stroke becausre there is no springiness to the blade, the edge is hardened and thats it.
@@Centermass762 They are far from the best. The brilliance of the japanese weaponsmith is using third rate (at best) materials to create good weapons. European weapons are overall better since they have equal skills but better materials
This is so cool, what a magnificent culture Japan has, I particularly love the way he fired his forge, no grinders, no drills, no modern tools at all, that’s cheating.
Very enjoyable, as a lifelong metal artist my appreciation to the details, knowledge, procedures and patience is delightful, inspirational and respectful skills of the master swordsmith. I feel as if I witnessed a birth prodigy created by the master that will live long after his earthly presents.
I was not only born in the wrong era. I was born in the wrong country. The intensity of Yoshihara’s face while he works tirelessly is truly awesome, I deeply appreciate the way he lights his fire by hammering steel to forge an amazing weapon. It takes knowledge & power, to start the fire of knowledge & power.
@Jake Folk I get he sounds like a weeb but deeply appreciating a different culture does not automatically mean he hates his own. Historically European steel did need folding and was not very pure. All observable European swords were made using a laminate construction. Japanese steel, after smelting, did not have as many impurities as people like to make out. The intensive process was used simply because they understood how to purify bloomery steel better than the rest of the world.
@Jake Folk source? When did they admit that? All too often do hemaboos pull shit out of thin air and make things up about other culture’s swords. Like most shad fans, you likely haven’t gone looking for response videos as there are ones that disprove his assumptions.
It's a shame they didn't have those capabilities in the middle ages, the Katana were all good and well in Asia but compared to European swords they weren't nearly as good since the design was impractical for catching blades and was made of lower quality Iron than their European counterparts.
When I watch a sword being forged... I always feel respect. In this video, I felt like crying as I watched the blade come to life. It was so beautiful.
@metalshaper yeah, it's just that the actual metal here is so precious (the effort that goes in to making those billets is crazy) that the smith does not want to waste any.
My husband loved his swords he collected thru the years from his Japanese swordsmith. He collected 400 swords and daggers and knew what to do with them. Frank recently died... thank you for this video.
I wouldn't say it's good. There's tons of better techniques, especially since Japan has access to good steel now, and doesn't have to fold metal. It's like practicing to play pool with a crooked cue. What's the point?
![SAFEPLANET - ดาวเคราะห์ [ THE PLANET ]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/4X1XL3I_k3c/mqdefault.jpg)
I love how calming and silent this documentary is. Documentaries nowadays are like action movies with blockbuster background music and over usage of cuts.
I think all of us can agree with that~
Indeed! They should show this in every classroom.
The 90s were the golden age of documentaries.
@@TheGroundedAviator this actually, even the old video aesthetic is perfect
That really is Japan in a nutshell.
For anyone wondering, Yoshihara San is now 79 and still working his craft.
*Charles Jones good to know he's still alive 🙂? Thanks for the info :-) Charles Jones :-)👍.*
I hope he is still teaching..cheers Ausgranny 🇦🇺🇦🇺🤶
A true artisan.
Wonderful
He does not make swords anymore.
I've seen plenty of documentaries that uses electron microscopes and laser scanning and all that to show the molecular structure of these swords, and that's really cool, but the simple demonstration using Playdough was probably the most effective one in showing why these swords are so special. What a great documentary
On the other hand, simple are better.
But the other hand, people do want to look something with more precise.
(Pardon my engrish)
_That Works_ channel with _Ilya_ ..the playdough example ??
I love how this is a metaphor for human life. Impurities make us weaker and heavier. Hammering them out is painful but necessary to become lighter, stronger, more beautiful.
Yeah this comment literally doesn’t make any sense.
@@Jason-mg2vj Clearly you're a dunce to not get that.
@@g.s.5110 or I’m well educated enough to realise this comment is just a pretentious word salad.
@@Jason-mg2vj or a douche?
@@Jason-mg2vj hahahaha
This doc not only shows the style of japanese swordsmith but also his patience, resilience, hard work and concentration his willing to put in his masterpiece following the time that goes in crafting one. Just facinating!!!
I hope these traditions never die. This is art, pure art based on thousands of years of trials and errors, blood, passion, sweat, tears and pride. I love the bushido philosophy. What a fascinating country Japan is, oh my God
unfortunately traditions have no place in the new world we create, few more generations and tradition will mean reading your facebook feed in the morning while you take a dump
More fascinating is that people like u exist and have love for a culture other than theirselves. I salute u sir.
zznug 2 actually no. It just depends on how u live your life my culture is still strong and I see young people around me also taking actively steps to keep it alive... I assume u r a westerner. I encourage u to do the same. Do everything in ur power to keep ur culture alive sir. 👍🏻
@@Anna15077 Yes you are right...we need to take steps to keep it alive because its barely breathing! I live in eastern Europe, my country has a fare amount of history and pride in its history, and I can see how in the last 10 - 15 years people are drastically distancing themselves from their true traditions and replacing them with any other tipe of tradition they are bombarded with on the internet/media/press. For example I saw this happening at most of the places I worked at, people running the place where copying the management system imported from another country, im not saying you shouldn't learn from others and improve, but improve upon your work don't just copy what someone else did. And im talking even about businesses like food serving, I can see a HUGE decline from traditional food to modern food, where people don't open businesses providing traditional food because its more expensive and labor intensive to make it over the modern easier alternative(even if the easy alternative provides less nutrients, harmful chemicals and artificial flavor). My country even has the western example of why tradition is good to keep but we are still not stopping from throwing it out the window for no apparent good reason.
This tradition is actually about one thousand years old and they learned it from China.
I watch this at least once every month or two, along with other videos featuring Yoshindo san. He is not only an absolute master of his art, but a very warm and wonderful man as well. And very courageous to press on in teaching the next generation following the tragic death of his son, who was his heir apparent.
Master supreme. I'll watch this again. What happened to his son?
@@TheSutov l am not sure. I only know that he died tragically somehow. He was only in his 40s l believe.
Oh man, that is so tragic... I'm really sorry for him. So unfortunate that the line of his family tradition is now broken, I mean it could very well go back for centuries, which is the case for many master craftsmen of his reputation/standing in Japan. But I'm glad that he keeps going and even trains the next generation. That is true tradition and something really worth doing.
I just watched for the sixth time, I am still amazed at the attention to detail and the way that the hamon comes to life. I will probably be watching it again, and again.......
Perhaps you can answer a question for me. I feel the value of a pc' like this transcends monetary value but in a world where such, affixing price to objects, is the way what would you approximate to be the cost of the sword crafted in this video?
Generations of information, technique, skill, craftsmanship, dedication and tradition ingrained into each sword. Truly Amazing. How can you not Love and Admire the Japanese people...
This is one of the most enjoyably cogent documentaries I've seen on katana making-free of a lot of annoying pseudo Japanese music, and dumb reenactments of samurais. Every step is explained with Japanese words and processes displayed. Thank you kindly!
blipblip88
That's probably because it's a Japanese-made documentary, translated into English.
Suyamu andhe doesnt have the inteligence to see that
david lefort
There's nothing wrong with him pointing out the good quality, especially in comparison to the other trashy "documentaries" out there.
And it's not a matter of intelligence - I wouldn't have known it's Japanese made either if I didn't read the credits by chance.
+blipblip88 That sir is one of the most enjoyably cogent comments i have seen in regards to katanas.
+blipblip88 hi
I loved this documentary. It gave a sense of artistry, dignity and sense of beauty from crafting a katana without glorifying the sword itself. It is rare to see documentaries about the Samurai Sword that don't say its the best sword of all time.
Imagine the thought and trial and error the founders of this method went through. Truly amazing.
That's brutal.
On the other side of that coin, imagine the thrill of discovering a new or better material or way to do what they were perfecting. Makes me smile thinking about how hyped they must've been, although rarely.
It was likely just like the I-phone-- meaning these were ideas discovered over centuries, such as hardening techniques and brittle vs flexible, ect... and someone just came along and took those known techniques of metallurgy and even adding a harder strip of steel for the edge like they do in Axes, but then put them all together with that new innovation of differential hardening using the clay---- gotta love it. Built off the shoulders of giants; that's how most things are in our species; we tend to take for granted all the things we know as "common knowledge", when every bit of it was a break through at some point in the past.
Aliens show them how it was done
@@kyewillett8405 and Now they flood our borders.. smh. They fell off
A little-known fact about Japanese swords.
1. Japanese swords have been famous in Asia since the middle ages, and they were exported to China, Korea and distant Asian countries. Influenced by Japanese swords used by pirates in the medieval period, some swords in China and Korea came to resemble Japanese swords.
2. The forging method used by modern Japanese swordsmiths was developed in Japan in the 1500s. In the 1500s, the Bizen school of swordsmiths, the largest group of swordsmiths in Japanese swords, was destroyed by a great flood, and uniform steel began to circulate throughout Japan, so the accurate forging method of Japanese swords before that was not accurately inherited. Therefore, Japanese swords are divided into the Koto Period (Old sword period) before the 1500s and the Sintho Period (New sword period) after that.
3. Since the 1900s, Koreans came to Japan and learned how to make Japanese swords from Japanese swordsmiths. Using this technology, they started to make swords in Korea, and they claim that "We are restoring old Korean swords in a traditional way.". However, these technologies were developed in Japan in the 1500s and are forging technologies in the Sinto period (New sword period). In addition, most of the restored swords are similar to Japanese swords exported from Japan to Korea in the medieval period and not to Korean old swords.
So which one was better? The old sword period or the new one?
@@user-ze7ml6ec9m
Old katana is most beautiful ,sharp and strong.
New katana (1500〜) can't compete.
It's because of material and method.
So japanese had treated old katana as family clan's treasure for long time until
GHQ banned.
Famous and legendary katana in japan is almost old.
Poor english from a japanese.sorry.
Those forging technologies were developed by the Norsemen a full thousand years before the Japanese entered the age of steel.. Open a fuckin book dude.
@@TheBigMclargehuge嘘をつくな
@@TheBigMclargehuge 日本のこと何も知らんくせにでしゃばるな
This is amazing. In this day and age i find real appreciation for something that is made with true craftsmanship and respect for the ability of the craftsman. Something that is truly handmade
+SC Cookie CutterZ In the world of internet, not many will be able to produce such outstanding objects by a true craftsman.
Having a sword made for me in the old ways is one of my biggest items on my bucket list.
It's cool but a gun is manufactured quicker shoots farther and requires NO honor lol but STILL this definitely HAS it's place lol
Frank Moser manufactured quicker? Has no honour? Are you sure?
100% sure lol
For some reason I have been addicted to watching sword making videos lately. I think it's the idea of creating a one of a kind tool using metal to create a unique work of art. Making a katana looks to be very work intensive, complex, and requires a lot of skill and expertise but the end product is totally worth all the hard work that went into it.
+jhhwild You can make a "soup can" forge for pretty cheap, and small, short pieces of steel at the right grade aren't hard to find online. If you're interested in making your own blade, you can definitely forge your own for surprisingly little.
Oh, and Borax makes for a very reliable flux in metallurgy. It's cheap, too.
CheffBryan I'm not sure if I'll ever make one but maybe someday I'll look into it. It doesn't seem like something you can simply pick up and master, you need lots of practice and time to dedicate to it so I would need to be very motivated and have lots of time to set aside for it if I ever wanted to try it
jhhwild Thus the soup-can forge. Hell, the tutorial video ends with the guy making a tiny knife from an old spoon.
CheffBryan I might try it out someday.
+jhhwild Making kanata is can be compared with making high-tech weapon in our era, I think., like tank and machine-gun.
It's an honor being able to watch such a great swordsmith at work, I have the utmost respect for him
I don’t know how many times I have watched this but I know it never gets old. I love how much care they put into everything they do. The swords are beautiful and in my eyes priceless.
J
Nijnin
Now that is putting your heart and soul into your craft I'm in awe at such sheer brilliance of this man
I would love to own one of these beautiful weapons! 😍
@@joshglover2370 you won't be able to , I mean the original one , you might get a duplicate Katana instead , since there are so many fake knife makers .
The word "amazing" just isn't enough to do justice to this level of artistry.
Working at night and in darkness, so that the smith can see the subtle colour of the hot metal in the forge
and example of supreme craftsmanship
even the village blacksmith kept their forge in the shadows of their shop in order to view the different colors of the steel and iron they were working in order to gauge temperatures. And they very often used Iron and welded steel heads to tools such as chisels and splitting wedges since hardenable steel was at a premium back in the day.
Knows the bahaviour of raw materials!
Hahaha you just full of it....
Why the fuck would I wanna buy some shit that would last a thounsend years I aint living that long to enjoy it......and if I do what would I do with it for a thowsend years??......I might as well get a chair that last me a thowsend years so I can sit down and watch it for a thowsend years getting dust and rotten....or should I make a use of it killing people cutting their heads off for a thowsend years instead ???....all the rest is bullshit ...a brain wash to those who dont know what todo with their money. ......why dont you use that money to feed the poor people for a thowsend years???........a thowsend years!!...GTFOH!!.....nonesense.......
Why are you watching a video detailing just that lifestyle.
the 480p quality makes me feel like I am watching a video with forbidden knowledge.
I’m more into western swords. Though they are certainly not the super swords pop culture and anime makes them out to be, as someone who dabbles in metalwork, I certainly respect the blacksmiths and the product they make. Their techniques are indeed fascinating.
@@forresthenry9535 yes indeed. Both western and japanese swords have really interestibg techniques to make them
I agree
@@forresthenry9535 madd props
Kanna is that you?!
I legitimately enjoyed this, for once 48mins and 58sec of my life was not wasted.
tj lucky truest
True
Me too.
Indeed
I've been watching this documentary for years now while I try to sleep. It makes me feel so calm, it makes me sleep easier.
Sameeeeeeee
Add me on that list
same haha I came to the comment section to see if I wasn't the only one
Yes it's very zen. There's a couple of excellent documentaries of Japanese swordmaking on TH-cam.
Probably THE BEST katana smith video I've ever seen. Outstanding work and thank you for the post.
This was amazing ! I’m not sure I’d open up my workshop and demonstrate hundreds of years of “secret” sword making…but I’m glad this master sword smith did as a study in an integral part of feudal Japan.
I have been watching documentaries for over 40 years, and this program rates very high. I offer my thanks to the professionals who shared the mysteries of their craft, and to the people who wrote, produced, and presented this program.
Well done.
that clay model explanation of why they cross cut the steel bars just blew my mind. The wonders of how centuries old techniques come up with this knowledge.
Such a humble and modest skill that are centuries ahead of it's time.
Actually these skills are not ahead of their time. The Vikings used folded steel for their swords centuries before and the Scythians along with many other cultures used differential hardening. That doesn't mean it isn't remarkable craftsmanship though.
@@dragonslayer2729 The Varangians (aka Vikings) also pattern welded their blades and used a signature twisting technique.
Never saw anyone to light a fire by hammering an iron! Makes me really happy to know this method now :)
u mean special japanese TP ?
Joseph Padron
haha schmock. i mean, look at ur pic :)
Dscheesus shmuck* dumbass.
Take a metal coat hanger and bend it back and forth it gets hot. Same thing.
I imagine getting it that hot requires good technique, too hard or soft and the metal will simply flatten and cut off or not get hot enough.
Formidável a técnica empregada no fabrico dessas espadas.
Que nunca se perca esse conhecimento ancestral, por respeito aos grandes mestres que dedicaram as suas vidas, a dar vida a essas espadas.
Um grande abraço e um muito obrigado por mostrar o seu belo trabalho. Daqui de Portugal envio um forte abraço com muito carinho, para essa cultura do Japão tão maravilhoso.
Astonishing. I am so glad he has his disciples. That this skill will be passed on. It would be a tragedy were it to die out.
The Japanese, their culture, the amazingly meticulous way they do things. It makes me smile. In a time where it seems that everything is done halfway or with corners cut, they do things The right way.. this video is proof of the professionalism and hard work they put in with everything they do.
No, they don't do it the right way. They do it a particular way. Often times, this can mean a good way, but it can also mean a bad way. You need to understand Japanese culture where the actions of the previous generation are revered, and not to be questioned, even if they're sub par.
For example, look at Kyudo. Quite possibly the worst way to shoot a bow, and it's all built up based on silly nonsense that's cultural.
Cut the bullshit!
Before rampant neo liberalism destroyed them america and Europe were packed to the gills with master craftsman the likes of which history hasn't seen before or again. When i buy stuff i need, i try to buy things made in the 1800s and either restore them or have an american craftsman do it. I promise you that meticulousness that you revere is in your own back yard. I know because i revere it too and have known many, many, many people who are in the top teir of their craft who are so knowledgeable about their trade that they literally have dozens of lifetimes of knowledge on the subject. There are tons of home hobby blacksmiths and leather workers whose work I'd put up against anybody. People who create all their own materials and many of their own tools from scratch including leather(harvest- tanning- finishing and production), iron from (raw ore), steel(ore and charcoal) , their forges(from clay they dug) and anvils. These people are a little harder to find because we are drowning in corporate, consumerist garbage but if you look real hard they are around. Eventually they'll try to remove us all because independent tradesmen are the difference between a financially free society and serfdom.
@@nicthemickatx hell yeah 🤘
@Sir Scrotus nah, politicians flooding the country with unskilled labor and highly skilled artisans don't work for $5/hr. Id sit at home before I would work for peanuts . America didn't have that problem until the immigration act of 1965.
This is honestly an honor to witness. Such skill and dedication that goes into making such a strong and powerful yet beautiful work of art is truly admirable.
Indeed, it’s a stark contrast to the mass production of these swords going on in China today. No respect for the craft or history what so ever it seems.
its a weapon meant to slice the enemy in half with a single swing
@@dionysis8680 Definitely not. An odachi maybe if you swing hard enough, but katanas are too small and too light to bisect a man.
@@Denominov There is that show that they cut pigs and even boars in half with similar sized swords. this is a katana dude, it will keeall
The possibility of Slicing Two pigs at Once is there and it relies on the Weapon itself but "the handler" is also a key factor.
It's the first time that I can see an amazing Japanese swordsmith in a very detailed way. Thank you!
Assuming he is still alive and has the strength to swing a hammer, imagine how much more refined his technique has become, and what kind of a masterpiece he could make.
He is still alive he is 77 years old and he realy hasnt aged that much
Ferguson Ferguson Japanese genetics are incredible
@Timmy P leading cause of death in men aged 20-44 in Japan is suicide. I would guess it has something to do with social pressures and, ultimately, stress.
@Timmy P that well may be true. Also, I'd have to confirm that but I _think_ Japan is getting better (but still up there).
I'll try looking for statistics over time later and update this comment if I'm wrong.
Anyway, I doubt the relationship with longevity and stress is just that clear cut simple. You can't eliminate stress, and probably shouldn't. But learning ways of reacting to it may be what makes the difference.
Obviously, Japanese aren't some mythological utopian stoic creatures that live long because they mastered the art of minimizing stress. They are just people after all.
@Timmy P so... That typical Japanese corporation hierarchy pressure you hear all about is... Good stress?
I am left speechless by the dedication and skill of this gentleman. I hope this way of making swords will never die out.
Superb documentary. It effectively ties together the absolute artistry of the sword making with the superb lethality and love of the weapon as a whole. It must have been a thing of absolute lethal beauty to see a Samurai use a sword like this in combat.
Roy Dowd It would probably let you down. They weren't superbly lethal really. Cutting power is comparable to most lighter longswords and they were seldom used in combat. Their primary purposes were spiritual, as a status symbol, a backup weapon of your spear or Naginita snapped, and used in duel. Japanese warfare and fighting was not revolved or dependent upon their swords as most people think nor were they more skilled than most other society's in swordsmithing or swordsmanship. Don't get me wrong the Japanese were great smiths and fighters just they are hugely overestimated by most.
Katanas were great for cutting down unarmored peasants who weren't respectful enough. For real fighting, samurai used spears...like just about every other culture.
This is the second time I'm watching this, after TH-cam recommended it again 😳😳😳 for some reason, once you start you can't stop.
what is this video? th-cam.com/video/AKoGFJ-Dm7E/w-d-xo.html
Most sublime endeavour for a killing weapon. The ultimate goal is beauty and death. How perfectly human.
@@zienarl9437 *№#№№##№#####№№№№№№№_-№€||€€##wt
It really is satisfying 😊
I love this type of shit!!😂😂
The road to perfection!
Absolutely humbling, I have been I the metal industry all my life and never have I seen this level of intricate art , truly this is an art in itself ! 🙏🏼
I saw a documentary, of an American blacksmith, try his hand, at sword smithing. It was very inspiring. He was only in his, late twenties, early thirties. He was more into, Nordic swordsmanship.
@Lebo leigh Leigh
Never, really, researched them! Thanks, though! 👍
Fascinating how a weapon can be such a beautiful masterpiece, Japanese Swordsmiths are masters. Such a Katana is worth every penny
I had the honor to meet Yoshindo Yoshihara, I will keep his book signed personally as a treasure
Enrico Maglio what honour. Amazing they been doing this for thousands of years. Is Yoshindo still alive
@@codered5431 I do hope so, as he was born in 1943. He was here in Italy during the Kendo Worldwide Championship, it was May the 21st, 2012, so a lot of time ago. That evening he did a thing never done before outside Japan, he showed us the hardening phase of a Shinken. Several time in the past he showed the hardening phase, but they were shorter blades, typically a Tanto.
Sensei _/\_
Sensei _/\_
The Craft of the Japanese Sword by Leon Kapp, Hiroko Kapp, Yoshindo Yoshihara (1987)
b-ok.cc/book/1147183/43728e
I love the way guys like this try to keep it as traditional as possible and not stray too far away from methods used hundreds of years ago
I love how people believe the world existed 200 years ago, along with Santa, giant bunnies, democracy, peace an love etc. 😘
Thank you for posting! Swordsmithing in Japan truly is a form of art! The Japanese people truly do value quality of work above all else! I have a tube stereo made in Japan in the 1960s and it truly is a wonderful piece of gear to have, much like these swords!
This is an Art Respect to the Great Heritage of Japan
Nomad Wanderer c
You can clearly see the amount of work here, when i watch english videos, they just hammer a piece of metal, but here, they hammer it, use secret technics, fold it, hammer it, add layers, use ninjutsu of the masterswordsmith, fold it, use different combinations of metals, use badass words, hammer it, then hammer it, and hammer it, then use other secret technics, then repeat the whole process 845 times.
Seriously, this is really impressiv and damn now I want to be a freaking swordsmith like that
They have to keep folding it because the steel is actually not that great. Theyre beating all the impurities out of it.
BlackBird RC thanks but we all watched the video lol
Ifkr
@@Alex34567 Yes they are, they do it with honor and traditions, most Americans swordsmith use machines that make all the work
@@Alex34567 that s exactly why the Japanese are special
This skilled gentleman makes everything from scratch even the fire.
i thought you were kidding before watching the video
That's a Master craftsman performing his art.
@@ilyeli6488 I was blown away and I saw that. I love it !!
This man treats mud and Clay better than my parents ever treated me
@@bsiferd I wanna be that mud or clay. :D
A HUGE RESPECT in Japanese culture and especially to the MASTER and MAN who is able to create such a fantastic masterpiece.
(an admirer from Hungary)
The Japanese sword and especially the creating of each sword is extremely AMAZING and one of the most beautiful things i've ever seen.
I’m in awe at the craftsmanship and amazing intellect this sword Smith has! What an amazing piece of steel
Am I the only one watching this for the fifth time over the past five years? For some reason I keep coming back
Probably time to make a sword my friend.
I've watched this probably 30 times at least. Yoshindo says that if his apprentice can't learn from watching he doesn't want to teach them anyway. I really hope to make a katana
True Artisans still alive and following centuries of tradition. May it never die
Total respect how he shaped and contour the sword to its desired design only with hammer and anvil. Modern guys with home forge will sandbelt it.
He is an old school.
As a Westerner I am honoured to have been able to see this piece of Nippon history. It is a part of their soul that conquered the world with its beauty!✌️🙏
I'm totally speechless!
Like that was one of the most beautiful works of art I have ever witnessed .
The pride ,the tradition, through out the beginning of time and all with simple hand tools used in such presidency if not the whole thing is trash just to master that is just totally fucking awesome. The patience alone to make something so beautiful but yet one of the deadliest weapons ever . I always said I would never bow down to no man but man I'm on my knees bowing . I'm a better person for watching that for real . Puts alot in perspective about how technology has taken away so much tradition in this world . Thanks for that video!
The intricacy and delicate craftsmanship of these swordsmakers are breathtaking that's why the Samurai has its respect around the world!
This is what I love about Japan - focus on what you are creating, be patients & dexterous, and true works of art will emerge - no matter whether it is swords, kimonos, food, gardens etc.
The voice of the narrator is soft to the ears and the creator of this video has mastered editing because there were no fillers and all scenes are needed to fully and completely understand.
Found this after watching a documentary on Damascus steel blades and I just have to say how awesome the overall history of sword making techniques from different cultures is to see.
Just did some digging online. The swordsmith featured in this documentary is Yoshindo Yoshihara, and for all wondering, he is still alive and actively making masterpieces.
Yes....he was born in 1946......and still On the Job but he uses a few Aprentices to "create" those Masterpiece Swords at a WOOPING..$60,000 USD EA.
To add to you research, his son, bless his soul also forged katanas but passed away prematurely due to cancer, if I remember correctly. I believe his grandson will now continue the legacy
@@yoyojoe9240 US$60,000 is definitely a large pricetag, but you get a one-of-a-kind piece made by a master of a technique that's been used for centuries. I feel it's worth it if you have the kind of money to afford it.
@@flra00788 I'm very sorry to hear that. It's a tragedy that yet another great artist was taken from us-and especially from his family-too soon. I am, however, glad that the next generation is continuing the family tradition. Thanks for the update.
@@yoyojoe9240 the price is quite warranted tho. He is considered the best living swordsmith and is by no exaggeration, a master
He even plays the bellows of his forge like an instrument. That is a skill set in its self!!!
I was equally impressed by the initial lighting of the fire. Everything speaks of precision & great care steeped in tradition.
In doing so he is also gauging how much O2 he is adding so he doesnt create scale on the metal.nor deplete his coal to fast, this is the part that amazes me the most. We look at this as if its all metal skills and yet the metal work is just a small part... its almost a religion!
Bizen Nagamitsu is famous for being owned by "Kojiro Sasaki" who was a rival of "Miyamoto Musashi", the strongest samurai in Japan.
RIP 4000 years
@@jayclyde6472 I don't give a shit
@@definitelynotjasonmomoa I don't give a shit
@@definitelynotjasonmomoa He needs to be put in his place
@@definitelynotjasonmomoa I don't give a shit
This is easily the best Katana making documentary! Love everything about this!
I agree, very interesting!
It always incredible how Japanese put passion in their work, it never fail to amaze me
"A polisher is aware that he is in fact wearing away the life of the katana in his hands" Man, that's so deep.
I feel the same way when I am sharpening my knives!
Me too (lol)
Tell me there is one woman that gets that and I'll call you a liar.
I wonder if this applies to me rubbing one out?
@@justdev8965 if you substitute the word wife in the place of polisher and substitute the word husband in the place of katana then yes:-)
I have an enormous respect for the art. When I was a lowly apprentice in the culinary arts to become a Chef, I had the honor to learn under a renowned Japanese Chef, Sukie.
When I graduated Sukie had a set knives made for me. Sukie's Family have been making Samurai swords for 9 generations. The best set of knives ever.
Chef Ken
Thank you for sharing that. One of the best comments I've ever read.
Yuül
That is incredible. Their dedication to a discipline is second to none.
I dedicated over 4 decades of training in the Aiki arts and at times
directly under a Shihan from Japan. The concept of Shugyo is not easily understood nor earned.
Possibly the most informative, no Bullshit, down to earth documentary about Nihonto on the internet.
Too bad I would've liked to see also the polishing and the koshirae making process in more depth, but still this was amazing.
Yoshihara sensei is truly a living treasure for Japan that makes me proud of being half japanese :)
"No bullshit?"
The first several minutes is nothing but "Oh, the beauty, the wonderfulness, the amazingness". Nothing BUT bullshit. Then followed by factual errors galore.
+MoonEyes2k Yeah, because saying that the katana is beautiful is bullshit right?
Cmon dude, you lost the battle in the other comments too, I have no time to deal with little cringy beings like you...
Bye bye!!
Wow. That's an impressively chickenshit escape, that is. Usually, twerps like you at least like to TRY and pretend they have an argument other than "because I saw it in my comic books!"
But I suppose you realized your shot your mouth off. Surprising but promising.
+MoonEyes2k Your certainty that everyone who thinks Katanas are beautiful and magnificent objects of art is a weaboo is the reason I see how pointless it's to continue """discussing""" with you.
Of course I know that a monosteel sword made nowadays is better compared to the ones made in this way, but as a half Japanese too, I feel like these one have more soul compared to the modern ones.
Also it you think I'm part of the herd of weaboos who proclaim how the katana is FOLDED 384378229 TIMES! IT CAN CUT DIAMOND TOO!!!! then you are wrong as ever bro...
while +mooneyes2k is technically correct in that the intro contained a lot of fluff. Its hardly relevant to what joel nordio is commenting on. Its certainly not "bullshit" it was just...colourful and flavoursome to begin with. I thought it was an appropriate introduction that was perfectly short and sensational.
I'm not Japanese and I do not know the history of Samurai in detail, but I will one day own a Katana to support this amazing art and to own a treasure that will last for centuries.
I wouldn't call it a treasure. I mean, it's a work of art, but it's not really any different then any other weapon that has the same time put into it. /shrug
Number of safety items worn by these smiths - zero. Number of injuries - zero. Says it all. Master craftsmen. Great vid.
You don't become a master craftsman without failures and injuries. Its how they learned their trade.
No, it says nothing. Accidents happen. Failure to wear safety gear kills and injures millions worldwide. Two major groups are mist likely to be injured: brand new employees with zero training is first. Without knowing better, they can be harmed through ignorance. Once they have even a little training they become wary of the tools and tend to be pretty safe. The other major injury prone group are the old, very experienced worker who thinks 'im too smart to hurt myself. When hiring experienced finish marine carpenters, my dad used to count fingers. It was rare to get to 10. Working my life in shops of 5-10 men, ive seen 5 partial amputations (including the tip of my own 3rd finger because I wash rushing, numerous head injuries saved by hardhats, uncounted eye injuries prevented by safety glasses, toes saved by safety boots. Three of the fingers lost were very experienced workers pulling stocking through a saw
Safety gear saves injuries, anybody who denies it needs to be prevented from ever training any new workers their bad habits. In fact, i wont even accept that in my shops any longer
Wear the gear or get out
The biggest reason they can do this safely is because its a bespoke item that will be ready when its ready. Nearly every accident I have seen in the workplace is the result of someone being rushed to churn out work at an unsustainable pace.
@@markdoldon8852 all your points are proven, from the standpoint of manufacturing in big business with people working at a pace that could possibly put them in danger without ppe. These are craftsmen, making an item that will be "done when it's done" their hammering is not only light and slow for shapping, but to AVOID hazards. Also the types of steel they use doesn't spark like iron or standard steel when struck. You're an idiot for even commenting on a subject that doesn't even call for your input like that, seriously.
@@Lanewreck You're an idiot. Safety gear and PPE is critically important regardless of the pace or purpose of your work, because accidents happen to everyone. I've been working metal for years as a personal hobby, at my own pace, never rushing, never working tired, etc., and I still have all of my eyes, ears, and fingers in good working order because I always protect them with appropriate safety gear, not because I can just magically "avoid hazards" by working slower.
Its pretty appropriate to identify it as the Japanese sword, given that there are many variations on the traditional Katana. Dai-Katana, Odachi, Wakizashi, even the tanken knife all have the same basic construction, but in different sizes, demanding different uses and techniques in combat. Just goes to show how deep of an art form this is.
It amazes me how ancient processes like this must have evolved over time to reach this level of perfection. Clay slurry, paper, rice straw, pine charcoal etc...
when all you have is garbage metal to work with but need to make weapons and items anyway, you find a way.
@@InfernosReaper Garbage metal? Did the Japanese not have good steel?
That they figured out all of the various and intricate details is astounding. People tend to attribute mythical qualities to katanas, but the reality is just as amazing. The swordsmiths had to start out with a rather low quality magnetite and make good steel from it. That and the processes they discovered are miraculous enough.
@@jrob4795 No, they did not have a good supply of iron, which the video touches on a bit. Mostly it was what is known as "iron sand" which had to be be combined into solid chunks.
.
Since they had no good way to separate the iron sand from impurities, the chunks of steel they produced were loaded with impurities.
Whereas with iron ore, the smelting process gets rid of a lot of the impurities.
.
Since they couldn't produce large pieces of steel, they had to master combining layers of different chunks of steel.
.
Since those folding the steel several times helped with making sure the welds were good, that was done. That also helped separate the impurities, which found their way to the surface and were scraped away to make sure the surfaces would stick for each fold.
.
The end result is a pretty solid product, but it's rather labor-intensive and took a lot of trial & error to figure out.
@@InfernosReaper Oh ok, thanks for explaining.
I've been watching documentaries about katana making but this one is the most explicit and detailed. Outstanding.
This is a live version of the book "The craft of the Japanese Sword". I fawned over that book in my late teens during the late 90's. Thank you for the upload.
He dedicated himself to the artistry and craftsmanship of sword making. Only it doesn’t seem like a sword at all. The amount of detail and time into building it made it feel like it came to life out of the flame of his forge. It’s beautiful and functional. I loved this it’s the documentary I didn’t know I needed. Once I began I couldn’t stop watching. Good video.
No wonder Haganezuka was so mad at Tanjirou for loosing and breaking his swords
Yup, I get it now
I thought the exact same thing and it all makes sense now, lol
Can't wait for season 2
What the actual fuck are you blathering about?
I approve this too much
I just google translated the Japanese word "Jihada " to English, " Skin " is what Google says, What I really think it means is " Soul," or " Spirit " or even "Character." Almost like the" Essence of a Rune." It is an honor to be able to watch this rare treat of a Master Swordsmith and his skills in action. The doubling effect with every fold is like sacred geometry with metals. The golden ratio of carbon.
One of my prized posessions is a Japanese short sword my friend brought back to America in 1945. He said there was a huge pile of swords being cut up to disarm the Japanese. He asked his CO if he could have one and picked one out. I traded pre 1933 U.S. gold coins for this priceless to me Wakazashi. After the signature was examined I was told my sword was made in 1661. I will treasure it to my dying day.
Sure would like to see a pic of that beauty
The blade of a true ancient Katana is rarely over 28 inches in length. So I don't believe your sword is "short".
That is truly amazing what an honor to own that sword I wouldn’t even know how to act lol
You should try to find the family it belong and give it back to them its à spoil of war and it belong to their rightful owner probably they will buy it back from you at a fair price
..depending upon the Economy, being such an old sword, if it otheriwse is in good or better condition, I'm sure a Japanese Sword House/Studio-shop or the Diet might purchase it off you for a good sum to 'repatriate it'.
Otherwise care for it, a little de-ionized water (non of that republican state's polluted water), a soft cloth, occasional talcum-powder to absorb water drops & water-mark smears etc,..
It feels like we have just been privy to something special.
HOLY FUCK NUTS, that’s insane of costing a minimum of $50,000 & that’s enough to buy a brand new stinking car for that fucking price. That is one hell of a price that would fuck you up the ass for just costing that much just for a damn Katana Sword made by him & that’s a minimum of that price, good freakin lord 😱😱. Like I sure wouldn’t buy a damn sword that costed that much but if costed around at least maybe couple of hundred to $500 at the MOST then yea I would but $50,000, hell no.
@@lordblackheart6270 These are not mere swords. They are familial heirlooms - passed down from generation to generation, many for over a thousand years or more. Yes, it is a very expensive heirloom, but the commissioner of this sword will have the satisfaction of knowing that his descendants will have this treasure and will think of him each and every time they admire it. Can you say the same thing about your new entry level BMW?
Keith Dowlen I wonder at what age you’ll be when you’ll read back these comments of yours and feel embarrassed by how you expressed yourself.
@@F-4E-58-MCHey come on Keith Dolan or what ever the fuck his name is may be an uncultured asshole but come on people BMW make alright cars.
@@lordblackheart6270 I take it your buying one go spend your 50;000 on a car but will it last a lifetime ?
The near 50 minutes of the documentary were all worth it!
The fire starting tradition this master sword maker begins for his work is definitely very cool to watch... The samurai sword has to be one of the greatest weapons ever created.
As a 49-year-old American I have had a love affair with the Japanese sword since I was a teenager. I once had the honor of seeing one from the late 1800s. Passed down many generations still owned by the family. Thank you Ish.
I can’t imagine the years and PATIENCE that must go into learning this trade.
From what I understood, it takes almost as many years to become a master in katana making as becoming a surgeon.
Compare this to a seed becoming a full grown oak tree or redwood tree, it takes many years to become even a rookie in sword making. Patience is extremely vital and important and thats what makes this so unique and inspiring. Personally its amazing that Japanese Swordmaking is under close eyes to make sure the sword comes out with no flaws or kinks in the metal itself
Surprisingly. Not many. As the Japanese culture had a high literacy rate and was able to pass down the process by written instruction. This how the Japanese were able create such a weapon and superb steel.
A lifetime i bet.
I'll let you know
I'm going to try and forge one
I have always admired the focus and discipline of the Japanese people. How they seem to dedicate themselves to the perfection of their talent, skillset and craft is utterly inspirational.
15 chakras, the rest of us troglodytes only get 14. Youre a fucked animal if youre born in Africa. Alien specifications.
This is much better than the National Geographic version. This one follows the casting from start to finish.
*Forging, you don't cast a sword (unless it's bronze).
Der Grammar Führer
Well, you CAN cast a sword of other metals...if you want to to be utterly useless, that is.
The account that I remember refers to them getting the iron granules from streambeds, did they also use mined iron?
Forge a sword, not cast.
Im always just amazed that these smiths are able to hammer out a perfectly proportioned and symmetrical blade by beating a length of heated steel with a hammer. To do something like that with nothing but eyeball judgement is just amazing
The hammering is a big portion of it but they also file down the blade to make it perfect
A single Japanese sword is definitely priceless considering the time and effort spent into it. The result is very sturdy!
Mr Kojitso, this is the 2nd time I have watched you work, I know it has taken years to learn your profession and you are amazing in your small work place.AMAZING.
How they worked all of this out from the very beginning is mind blowing. Mastery of the elements
Duke Jet advanced lost knowledge
The fact that they figured out how to build the best edged weapon and the best steel in the world, still to this day, 700+ years ago is almost unfathomable. It's amazing, to say the least.
There must have been soooo many weak, terrible, non-functioning blades made before the smiths figured out what was required and what was free to be altered as each artist desired!
We only see the finished product, but I am confident that blood, sweat and tears went into each of these, successful or not.
@@Centermass762 best steel, HAH.
i mean these are good swords but they arnt especially or uniquely good swords.
also they bend really easily if you fuck up your cutting stroke becausre there is no springiness to the blade, the edge is hardened and thats it.
@@Centermass762 They are far from the best. The brilliance of the japanese weaponsmith is using third rate (at best) materials to create good weapons. European weapons are overall better since they have equal skills but better materials
This is so cool, what a magnificent culture Japan has, I particularly love the way he fired his forge, no grinders, no drills, no modern tools at all, that’s cheating.
most modern japanese sword smiths use power hammers becuase it is hard to get apprentices that will help you hammer
The most inspiring documentary I've ever watched. Discipline and Technique defines the Japanese culture.
Used to, at least. On Earth, we are all losing this discipline.
Very enjoyable, as a lifelong metal artist my appreciation to the details, knowledge, procedures and patience is delightful, inspirational and respectful skills of the master swordsmith. I feel as if I witnessed a birth prodigy created by the master that will live long after his earthly presents.
Love the old school style of this video. It's simple, clear and quaint. Perhaps the most enjoyable video of making katana I have seen so far.
I was not only born in the wrong era. I was born in the wrong country.
The intensity of Yoshihara’s face while he works tirelessly is truly awesome, I deeply appreciate the way he lights his fire by hammering steel to forge an amazing weapon.
It takes knowledge & power, to start the fire of knowledge & power.
@Jake Folk I get he sounds like a weeb but deeply appreciating a different culture does not automatically mean he hates his own. Historically European steel did need folding and was not very pure. All observable European swords were made using a laminate construction.
Japanese steel, after smelting, did not have as many impurities as people like to make out. The intensive process was used simply because they understood how to purify bloomery steel better than the rest of the world.
@Jake Folk source? When did they admit that? All too often do hemaboos pull shit out of thin air and make things up about other culture’s swords. Like most shad fans, you likely haven’t gone looking for response videos as there are ones that disprove his assumptions.
I love Japanese craftsmanship and their perfection
It's a shame they didn't have those capabilities in the middle ages, the Katana were all good and well in Asia but compared to European swords they weren't nearly as good since the design was impractical for catching blades and was made of lower quality Iron than their European counterparts.
When I watch a sword being forged... I always feel respect. In this video, I felt like crying as I watched the blade come to life. It was so beautiful.
-_- -_- -_- everyone is so overly emotional nowadays
What a fuckin' pussy.
I feel exactly the same
The fire that forges the steel is created by steel, mind blown.
*iron
the steel creates tha fire that creates tha steel ...
Always do some magic like that.
I am mesmerized by the care and attention to detail the blacksmith is taking. No wonder these weapons are so sought after.
This is very interesting & fascinating imagine learning from the master on how to make a Japanese sword?
Sword is not just a piece of metal it is a piece of art made by expert artist
Amazing to see the sword cutting edge hammered to retain its integrity, rather than grinding away the steel to form the edge!
Yes, "hammer forged". It makes all the difference in the quality of a steel.
Whole heartedly , ive been watching forged in Fire and wonder why its not called "Grinded after Heating up a billet in Fire"
@DarkEternal6 not true. There is no proof of advantage by forging as opposed to material removal
Either way, during the polishing process, material is removed.
@metalshaper yeah, it's just that the actual metal here is so precious (the effort that goes in to making those billets is crazy) that the smith does not want to waste any.
My mind is richer because of this honorable display of master swordsmithing by true artisans... Thank you. :)
I like your comment.
My husband loved his swords he collected thru the years from his Japanese swordsmith. He collected 400 swords and daggers and knew what to do with them. Frank recently died... thank you for this video.
Sorry to hear that. Are you currently looking after his collection?
Man, i need to visit Japan again. Such an interesting culture, and very nice and respectful people.
As a blacksmith, I can only dream of being this good
I wouldn't say it's good. There's tons of better techniques, especially since Japan has access to good steel now, and doesn't have to fold metal. It's like practicing to play pool with a crooked cue. What's the point?
Rundvelt well, just to say I’ve done it. And I guess to honor the old smiths of Japan