The samurai dominated Japanese society for 700 years, and the
vision of this class permeates Japanese culture. Ever present is
the samurai's sword — as a tool, a companion, and a symbol. The
samurai sword is both a technical marvel and a significant
cultural object. As a technology, it involves a large system of
craftsmen, distinct stages of and for the materials, and a long
apprenticeship to develop the necessary skills. Culturally, the
sword is surrounded by a history of legend, prescribed
behaviors, and complex status relationships. Like a many-faceted
diamond, a close examination of this one tool can give us a wide
perspective on Japanese culture. To study the relationship
between the samurai and his sword, we will study the whole of
samurai history. The role the sword has played has changed over
time, but so have the times brought out different aspects of
that many-layered relationship. The sword makes the samurai,
makes him its wielder as much as he makes it his weapon. How was
the technology of the swo