Heads up for Samurai Sword fans

[Nick Komiya]

This week NHK World will be airing two programmes that Japanese sword fans of this forum might want to see.

1. One is called the Ultimate Blade, airing Saturday 8/23 and the program is described as

A craftsman who utilize age-old swordmaking techniques and a company that has produced many kinds of blade try to cut an iron pipe by a blade. Can they overcome this difficulty?

2. On Sunday 8/24 is In love with the Samurai Sword

Sword polisher Sasaki and his young apprentices take on a challenge to revive the beauty of ancient swords. The apprentices compete in the contest to prove the skill and readiness to go independent.

Both programmes are previewed here in Choice of the Week http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/tv/genre/
NHK World can be seen in both Europe and in the States and each program will be aired at least 2 times in a day. For detailed broadcast schedules for your time zone see here http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/tv/schedule/

[Nick Komiya]

Here's another NHK World feature on swords on Youtube.
It is interesting how a sword smith challenges to create a temper pattern called Juka-Choji from the Kamakura era 700 years ago, which had always eluded him for 30 years, this time by using 200-year old nails recovered from restoration work on an acient temple.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VhmEyrNQpY