With a rich collection of captivating photographs, this book delves into the mystery of the Japanese sword, the most powerful and beautiful weapon on Earth. 

The Japanese sword is said to have the hardest blade in the world. It is a weapon as well as a work of art, sometimes admired as a sacred treasure. 

This book looks back into the history of the Japanese sword’s origination in the Heian period (from 794 to 1185), examines the secrets of its astonishing features, and unveils the full process of Japanese sword-making by Kunihira Kawachi, one of the best swordsmiths of our time. Vivid photographs depict scenes of selecting the Tamahagane steel and forging, hot forming and polishing (kajioshi) the blade. 

[Contents]

Episode 1: The most powerful and beautiful weapon
Episode 2: The unsolved mystery of Tamahagane steel 
Episode 3: Forging steel for ultimate beauty
Episode 4: Things more important than secret techniques 
Episode 5: Beyond the best
Episode 6: Facing the legacy while challenging the new era
[Appendix]: The 50 Best Japanese Swords