A rare glimpse inside a samurai sword workshop | The Japanese Sword as the Soul of the Samurai

A 1969 documentary goes inside a samurai sword workshop to explore the craft and history behind the iconic Japanese weapon.
Director: Kenneth Wolfgang
Narrator: George Takei
Courtesy of Special Collections at the University of Arizona Libraries (speccoll.library.arizona.edu/)
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‘Between the samurai and his blade was formed a binding spiritual union of man and steel.’
In the 1969 short documentary The Japanese Sword as the Soul of the Samurai, the US filmmaker Kenneth Wolfgang (1931-2011) is allowed rare access to the Tokyo workshop of a master samurai swordsmith to explore the craft and history behind the iconic Japanese weapon. Instantly recognisable for its elegant shape and sharp cutting edge, the samurai sword was long one of the most fearsome weapons in the world, as well as an object of great symbolic importance in premodern Japan. Here, its creation is documented in rich detail as a swordsmith and his apprentices hammer, fold and weld to create a near-perfect steel blade in a process that melds expert craftsmanship with Shinto religious ritual. Alongside the workshop footage, Wolfgang uses traditional Japanese woodblock paintings, dolls and the narration of the US actor George Takei (Lt Sulu in Star Trek) to take the audience through the sword’s history - from its mythological origins and into the 20th century, well past the samurai era. In doing so, Wolfgang demystifies the object for Western audiences while also conveying its deep significance to Japanese history and myth.

[@Tenjirou]

That hamon was so beautiful.

[@DeLastTwinkie]

Lovely doc, thank you for going and resurfacing these docs :D

[@Duncan_McFly82]

This is so awesome!

[@deathstrike]

A fusion of art, function, and beauty. The Katana Sword reigns as one of man's finest achievements. It's grace and form only matched by the arts that taught those worthy of its heritage. It is a bond that transcends the very fiber of what it means to be human. And takes the Katana to the very world of gods, beasts, and some say even magic. It is not just the soul of a warrior, it is the very extension of his/her bond between those that dwell in the heavens, those of the underworld, and those not yet deemed worthy of paradise. It is a living symbol of something greater than oneself. It is a symbol of honor, pride, fealty to one's Emperor and Clan Lord, and family. For its cut is as delicate as the lotus, yet cuts as deep as the claw of the fiercest of tigers.

[@senseijuan3230]

Thanks for sharing this video

[@citizenofindia4460]

I want an original katana samurai

[@TheGroundedAviator]

They really were lucky in getting that guy as the narrator!

[@yokhua]

堀井信秀、堀井胤次 the name of the sword smiths

[@johndana8671]

The Japan Masterpiece!

[@RoughRudeDragon]

STAR WARS - EPISODE VI - THE RETURN OF THE JEDI. I see you have created a new lightsaber... Indeed, you are powerfull as the Emperor has foreseen !

[@RoughRudeDragon]

HISTORY CHANNEL... the sword of the saracens !

[@MtRevDr]

When foreigners practice katana swordsmanship, they do not need to practice Shinto. They want swordsmanship which is not becoming better or more skillful when the swordsman sided with Shinto, Buddhism, or any evil moral. They also do not need to prepare to slit their stomach.

[@MtRevDr]

The stupidity of linking Japanese swords with Shinto and believe they are deities. Many swords were poorly made or they had flaws. They are therefore poor deities?? Do Japanese deities have flaws?? Is it not stupid to claim Japanese swords are the best of swords or best cutters based on they being prayed over and are deities?? Can they cut better than those katana made by foreigners and are slighted as replica??! Time, reason, and a little bit of competition will tell.