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High Res Picture glossary


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Gentlemen, 

 

I can’t help but think how helpful a pinned thread containing high resolution examples of activity in polished blades would be for those of us just learning the nuance of nihonto. I imagine, for example, a macro photo labeled with arrows pointing toward the different activities and an explanation below. The japaneseswordindex.com Pic Glossary was a good start for me, but the small

black and white photos leave much to be desired. Maybe such a reference already exists somewhere online.  

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Nathan, the problem really lies in how your brain interprets an image. What you see in a high-res image of jigane, isn't at all the same as what someone with decades of studying will see.

 

Even when you have a blade in hand, your brain needs to be educated to see the underlying details. My sword mentor has an incredible collection of elite Soshu blades, & he was determined to get me to see what he so easily saw. I can remember the weeks of frustration - on both our parts - until, one afternoon, something just clicked, & I was finally seeing the intricate details of his Rai blade! Once I was able to see that, I never lost it, but I'd never have been able to make that quantum leap, without his insistent help, & the actual blade!

 

Tom & Dan are right - attend sword show, but find a sword club you can join, & get a mentor. It's well worth the effort.

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