Repeatedly layered, heated, and cooled, these blades have a hardened cutting edge and resilient spine. Today, the beautifully patterned hamon we see on Japanese kitchen knives is a remnant of Yasutsuna’s technique. Providing the emperor with curved, hardened blades in the Middle Ages, the he and his school of swordsmiths were beloved by royalty and warrior classes alike. Legend has it that the hardening technique used today by sword and knife makers throughout Japan was invented by Yasutsuna, adding to his reputation as the founding father of Japanese swords. Known for his skill, Amakuni Yasutsuna worked for the Emperor in his nearby palace. The earliest Yasutsuna master swordmaker forged the world’s first katana (classified as such for its curved blade) around the year 700 in his workshop near present day Nara. The First Yasutsuna: The Founder of Tradition In fact, the Yasutsuna style is so central to the history of Japanese swords – especially the katana style – that many of the most famous and treasured swords forged thereafter take direct influence from the Yasutsuna school. It was under his school’s strict tutelage that the Dōjigiri was crafted sometime between the years 1000-1100. Known as the creator of the first curved katana blade in all of Japan, the life work of the first Yasutsuna reflects the master technology and innovation developed from scratch around the year 700. We’ve got to include the legends and myths behind the pioneer swordmaker Yasutsuna, his disciples, and his school’s magnum opus: the Dōjigiri katana. That’s why we can’t just focus on the sword itself we have to take into consideration the entire history. Moreover, the history of its creator reveal as much about the fame and value placed on this, his greatest work, than any visit to a museum can hope to accomplish. These accolades stem from the technical accomplishments of its creator, as well as the generations of innovation that went into its design. The Dōjigiri Yasutsuna was a groundbreaking weapon for several reasons. But for those of us who can’t make the trip, or simply want to know more, today we are going to cover all there is to know about this thousand year old treasure. The blade currently rests as the pride and joy possession of the Tokyo National Museum. Often called the ‘ yokozuna’ of Japanese swords,’ this champion boasts a long list of features and legends making it unmatched in beauty, strength, and value – truly Japan’s greatest weapon. A certified National Treasure ( Kokuhō) and the oldest surviving katana style blade in all of Japan, the Dōjigiri Yasutsuna is the ultimate Japanese sword.
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