The Beauty of the Katana: Tamahagane Steel Swordsmith Program

- Learn about swordmaking, the history of Japanese swords, and how to appreciate them from the only certified swordsmith in Higashikishu.- Watch a sword being forged in a workshop and take up the challenge of working on the hardening process.(*Adults only)/ - While Japanese swords are made through a blacksmithing process that is only seen in Japan, there are many types of swords, and their appearances and shapes evolved to suit the times.Also, they were not merely used as weapons but symbolized the might of emperors and warriors. They were both objects of devotion and works of art. These days, they are treated as works of art and cultural property.Tama steel is the material used for making Japanese swords and produced through Tatara iron smelting.Sand iron is the raw material, charcoal is used as fuel, and a furnace made of clay is used to reduce the metal to relatively low temperatures, which refines the high-purity iron.Until mass iron production was introduced to Japan from Western countries, virtually all Japanese iron was produced using this method.