{"product_id":"japanese-swords-cultural-icons-of-a-nation-the-history-metallurgy-and-iconography-of-the-samurai-sword-with-dvd-paperback","title":"Japanese Swords: Cultural Icons of a Nation: The History, Metallurgy and Iconography of the Samurai Sword [With DVD] - Paperback","description":"\u003cp\u003eby \u003cb\u003eColin M. Roach\u003c\/b\u003e (Author), \u003cb\u003eNicklaus Suino\u003c\/b\u003e (Foreword by)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eWith over 300 stunning photographs and woodblock prints along with extensive historical and cultural commentary, \u003ci\u003eJapanese Swords\u003c\/i\u003e is the ultimate authority on Samurai weaponry.\u003c\/b\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eHistorically, Japanese warriors considered their swords to be more elevated than simple weaponry. Their swords were both lethal tools and divine companions -- social and religious icons. Traditionally worn by the samurai as a sign of social status, the Japanese sword represented the junction between the ruling military class and those whom they ruled. Moreover, the samurai sword was a technological and artistic marvel. Many scholars consider it to be the finest sword ever constructed. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eConcerning symbolism and historical importance, no other blade comes close to the Japanese sword. With a historical, iconographical, and technological perspective, author Cohn M. Roach provides an in-depth study of these magnificent weapons in \u003ci\u003eJapanese Swords.\u003c\/i\u003e This richly illustrated sword book weaves the blade's primary influences together, tracking its history and illuminating its progress from infancy to grandeur. By studying the evolution of the Japanese sword from this perspective, we better understand Japan and its warrior archetype. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eCombining research materials from multiple disciplines, Roach uses his expertise as an educator to guide readers through the sword's rise to greatness in a unique way. This book discusses the history, development, and spiritual symbolism of the sword, as well as the esoteric metallurgical techniques used in making it. It also covers the intense training practices used by skilled swordsmen. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ci\u003eJapanese Swords\u003c\/i\u003e also includes accompanying online videos featuring a beautifully-filmed documentary that explores the traditional swordmaker's craft, an introduction to the Japanese sword at a sword shop in Kyoto and a visit to a dojo for a beginner's class in the medieval sword-drawing art called \u003ci\u003eiaido\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003ch3\u003eAuthor Biography\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eColin M. Roach, M.Ed.\u003c\/b\u003e lives in the high mountains of Utah with his wife and three sons. He is a private school administrator with expertise in the areas of differentiated teaching and learning, and a member of the All Kinds of Minds Institute's national teaching faculty. Mr. Roach is an avid student of Japanese history, culture, and martial arts. Four generations of familial connection to Japan have fueled Mr. Roach's passionate study of Japan's archetypal warrior culture. In addition to his academic study of sword-related symbolism, he has trained with some of the top teachers of \u003ci\u003eaikido\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eiaido\u003c\/i\u003e in Japan and America. He holds the ranks of \u003ci\u003eYoudan\u003c\/i\u003e (4th degree) in \u003ci\u003eiado\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eSandan\u003c\/i\u003e (3rd degree) in \u003ci\u003eaikido\u003c\/i\u003e. He also holds the teaching title \"\u003ci\u003e\"Shidoin\"\u003c\/i\u003e in both arts. Mr. Roach often travels to teach sword-related symbolism, traditional Japanese swordsmanship, the etiquette involved when handling a Japanese sword, and \u003ci\u003eiado's\u003c\/i\u003e role in cultural preservation.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of Pages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 176\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.6 x 11.9 x 9 IN\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIllustrated:\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublication Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e August 19, 2014\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Books by splitShops","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51769739346208,"sku":"9784805313312","price":39.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0974\/9764\/5344\/files\/3f084d89bfe72c03d2d12a2f9ff3ab46.webp?v=1780355114","url":"https:\/\/ebocreations.com\/products\/japanese-swords-cultural-icons-of-a-nation-the-history-metallurgy-and-iconography-of-the-samurai-sword-with-dvd-paperback","provider":"The E-Book Oasis LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}