When a Japanese sword arrives from Tozando, it comes in one of two states: in a koshirae — the complete mounting with lacquered scabbard, wrapped handle, and guard — or in a shirasaya — a simple, unfinished wooden scabbard and...

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What are Japanese swords? Simply put, Japanese swords or katana are made by a unique Japanese blacksmithing method and are assumed to have been crafted in Japan, but a Japanese sword cannot merely be characterized as a weapon. It has...

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