An Interesting Irony of Japanese Swords

Japanese swords, more commonly known to Westerners as 'samurai swords' because of the iconic warriors who, for hundreds of years wielded them in battle, are renowned not just because of samurai; they are renowned for their craftsmanship which employed sophisticated techniques to create arguably the most effective and well-made sword of all time. However, throughout its history - particularly through certain periods - something interesting can be observed in the manufacture of Japanese swords: many were of inferior quality; and most often during the times when they needed to be the best quality. Strange, you may think, but true nonetheless.

Japan has a notoriously feudal history. Going back in time to the days before guns overtook the sword as the primary weapon, when smiths were the key armorers, during the most turbulent times, the swords created during these times were often the worst quality swords. Strange, you may think, that I should say this but it's true: when swords were needed the most in mass amounts, they were usually of inferior quality to the ones created during less turbulent times.

The fact is, many smiths sacrificed quality greatly in order to mass produce swords for war.

One of the worst periods for Japanese swords came after the Meiji period when blades were produced in huge numbers for the Imperial Japanese Army. These swords bore hardly any resemblance to the quality blades which came before - even lacking key technological features like the hardened edge. In fact, the Japanese government refused to allow the registration (when it became compulsory to register swords with the police in Japan) of swords made for the imperial army, and even went so far as to order the destruction of any found still in existence.

Even smiths of some renown are known to have created inferior blades as weapons, so if you are looking for a Japanese sword which isn't just a presentation piece, relying on well-known names isn't always a surefire way to safeguard against purchasing a blade which, although it may look the part, is in fact an inferior weapon. Research about the smith and the times during which the blades were created will go a long way to ensuring you get a blade which is, every inch the perfect weapon and showpiece.

'I love Madame Obama - but she looks like a news anchor': Karl Lagerfeld casts scathing verdict on First Lady's new bangs

Michelle Obama's bangs have been widely praised by the style cognoscenti since she debuted them on her birthday two weeks ago. But Karl Lagerfeld is not inclined to agree.
The Chanel designer likened the U.S. First Lady's new look to that of a news anchor - which is apparently a bad thing in his book.
In an interview that aired on French television network Canal Plus, he said: 'I do not understand the change in hairstyle.'

Commander in chic: Michelle Obama's new bangs, seen here at her husband's Inaugural Ball on Monday, January 21, has not won the seal of approval of Karl Lagerfeld

Though he said - twice - that he loves 'Madame Obama', he went on to add that a 'speakerine do LCI' typically has this hairstyle, referring to a popular television news network.
'The fringe was not a good idea,' he concluded.

 

It certainly didn't help that the host of the show, Le Petit Journal, offered a less than flattering image for Mr Lagerfeld to cast judgement on - but regardless, it would seem that he is alone in his opinion.
The cut has inspired countless column inches dedicated to how Mrs Obama's new look makes her look younger - and, indeed, how she is the most fashion-forward U.S. First Lady since Jackie Kennedy.

Not a good idea: Mr Lagerfeld likened Mrs Obama's new look to that of a news anchor, adding that he does not understand why she went for the cut

Linda Wells, editor-in-chief of Allure magazine, told the Associated Press last week: 'It's definitely a more youthful style than what she had before. It just has a flirty, young quality to it.'
New York hairstylist Robert Stuart added: 'It's much softer and younger, and it makes her look more approachable. It also works well for her sense of fashion. And it brings out her eyes.'
But of course there is only one opinion that Mrs Obama cares about - and it does not belong to a member of the fashion set.

Unfair disadvantage: It certainly didn't help that the host of the show, Le Petit Journal, offered a less than flattering image for Mr Lagerfeld to cast judgement on

The President himself made several references to his wife new bangs during the inaugural festivities - all of them positive.
Heralding the cut as 'the most significant event of this weekend', he said: 'I love my wife's new bangs - she always looks good!'

Swords From the Ancient Dynasties

Defence is a major preoccupation for any ruler - from the rulers of way back in antiquity to President Obama today. Times of war see resources being drained toward a wasteful expense, as well as major scientific advancements as people try to find out why things happen, and how to mitigate the injuries caused by bad things. 

In the ancient Chinese dynasties, warfare was undoubtedly complex, but the complexities took a different form. While today we bomb strategic locations, in those days swordsmen developed ever-finer instruments and techniques.

Here is a quick run-through of the popular swords and sword-making techniques in the Han, Song, Qing and Ming dynasties. 

First, the Hans. The Han dynasty's rule spanned from 206 BC to 220 AD. The early period of Han rule saw the rise of steel as the material preferred in swords. Both single-edged(dao) and double-edged(jian) swords now began to be made of steel, with bronze swords falling rapidly out of favor.

The process of differential heat-treatment also took birth during Han rule. Sword blanks were now forged and folded, with ring pommels being introduced.

In middle and late Han rule, this differential heat treatment process was developed further, and became the art of "refining". Swords were now manufactured in layers, with the top, core and bottom being made separately and then welded together. At this point, China began to export swords to Korea and Japan.

Fast-forward across nearly a century, and you reach the Song dynasty in 960 AD. During the reign of Song emperor Shenzong, swordcraft reached new and unprecedented heights. Assessment bureaus were set up to determine the quality of weapons, and a manual on quality control in weapon manufacture was written and circulated.

'She's smart and super fabulous!' Charlie Sheen says 'terrific' Lindsay Lohan will 'come out on top eventually'

Things aren't looking too good for Lindsay Lohan at the moment.
Not only is she facing jail over charges she lied to police, but her performance in The Canyons has been roundly panned, and she has serious money troubles.
But the actress has one person on her side - Charlie Sheen, who thinks she is 'terrific'.

Hands up for Lindsay! Charlie Sheen called Lohan 'terrific' in an interview on Jay Leno on Wednesday

'She's terrific, I mean she's going through a lot of stuff,' he told Jay Leno on Wednesday.
'She's smart and super fabulous and I think will come out on top eventually, you know.'
Earlier this month it emerged that Sheen had given Lohan $100,000 to help her out when she was struggling to find money to pay her tax bill.
'They offered me a decent amount of cash to do Scary Five as a cameo,' he explained.
'Then they said they're going to hire Lindsay. I thought fabulous.'

Knows her well: Sheen gave Lohan $100,000 to help her out when she suffered money troubles

The pair played a couple in bed together making a sex tape.
Sheen explained: 'They took half my money to give to her and she didn't get it all. And when i found this out I said you got shorted a hundred grand so I, I gave it to her.'
But he said he might not have been so generous had he realised what she would be spending the cash on.
'I didn't know it was for taxes,' he explained. 'If I'd have known that I'd have given her half.'

No Lance Armstrong fan: Sheen described the shamed cyclist as a 'douche'

But while Lohan has found a fan in Sheen, Lance Armstrong isn't so popular.
'He's kind of a douche,' Sheen explained bluntly.
'Wow, I didn't just say that did I.And I base that on meeting him, you know.'
Then he told the story of how he met Lance at a party in around 2005.
'He was talking to, I think he was talking to Sheryl Crow at the time.

Co-star: Lance and Lindsay Lohan appeared in Scary Movie 5 together, playing a couple filming a sex tape

'I said "Hi Mr Armstrong, I'm Charlie Sheen. I just wanna say hello."
'He looks at me, he's like, "that's nice."'
Sheen then added that he felt Lance had got what was coming to him.
'If he was a better guy I think in his life he'd be forgiven a lot faster and a lot easier,' he said. 'Kind of like me.'

Facing jail: Lohan in court in Los Angeles on Wednesday

What You Need To Know Before Buying Swords Online

If you are an avid collector of samurai swords, then browsing the Internet is what you should do. I must warn you though, online shops have wide array of choices of medieval swords for sale, you might be overwhelmed with all the choices that you can choose from. However, if you are looking for authentic swords, then you must take precautionary measures in choosing which to buy. This is because not all swords and shields found online are authentic. Some of them are fake and are meant only for display purposes.

Distinguishing which sword for sale is authentic or not is really not that easy; this is most especially true for people who are just starting to collect such swords. Most people do not have enough knowledge about the difference between an ornamental swords and a sword which you can use to cut things with. In fact, most people think that there are no difference at all.

Being ignorant about such matters can be harmful for you. This is because you cannot use an ornamental sword during fights and sparring. Why? Well, this is because the ornamental swords can be easily broken and cut off. Once these happens, you may be placed in great danger. This very reason why collectors must have knowledge regarding this subject.

Sad as it may seem, most medieval swords up for sale in the Internet are all what collectors may regard as 'sword-like' objects. This means that these swords may seem authentic and strong but once you swing this in the air or use this to break a vase, nothing will happen. And to add insult to injury, the handle of the swords may break and the handle may shatter or worse, it will come flying off with so much speed that it can surely hurt anybody near you.

Boldly going where no director has gone before! Star Trek's JJ Abrams hired to helm new Star Wars sequel

Their fans are the most competitive in the realm of science fiction.
So fans of both franchises will be shocked at the news Star Trek director JJ Abrams has been hired to make a new Star Wars sequel.
The decision to make the new entry in George Lucas beloved saga came hot on the heels of him selling the property to entertainment giants Disney last November, and just who would be tasked with making it became a red hot talking point.

Surely breaking Federation directives: Star Trek director JJ Abrams is living every geeks dream after being hired to film a new Star Wars sequel

The final decision will come as a shock to the Lost creator's fans, as he had appeared to rule himself out of making any such move last year, when he spoke glowingly about how the original trilogy had affected him.
He said: 'As a kid I was always a fan of special effects.
'Watching movies I was constantly trying to figure out how they did it, whatever the effect was.
'Star Wars was the first movie that blew my mind in that way. It didn't matter how they did any of it because it was all so overwhelmingly and entirely great.

Star Wars Episode VII The Pensioners Strike Back: Surely they will have to replace the cast from the original series

'It was funny and romantic and scary and compelling and the visual effects just served the characters and story.
'It galvanized for me; not for what was exciting about how movies were made, but rather for what movies were capable of.'
The movie is expected to be released in 2015, and will be the first new entry in the series since the much maligned prequels, which ended with 2005's Revenge of the Sith.
Abrams most high profile effort to date has been his high profile 2009 reboot of Star Trek, which despite numerous plot holes became a smash hit.

Big shoes to fill: Though harsher critics will say JJ can only improve on George Lucas last entries in the series

He was also behind the camera for the sequel, Star Trek: Into Darkness, which is set to hit theatres on May 17.
Fans of Star Wars will be relieved Disney has decided to make an Episode 7, which will take place after the events of Return of the Jedi, rather than go down the dubious route of rebooting the series.
Disney bought Star Wars maker Lucasfilm in November for $4.06 billion.
Owner George Lucas became a major Hollywood force on the back of the hit science fiction series, which began with 1977's Star Wars.
Its special effects were a major step forward for the film industry, with the Industrial Light and Magic special effects company the visionary created to make the space opera possible going on to become a multi-Oscar winning industry powerhouse.

Its illogical Captain: Spock and Star Trek fans will be shocked if he turns on his back on his hit rebooted series

Everything You Need to Know About Ninja Culture and Buying Swords Online

There are lots of people who are fond of Japanese culture. Perhaps you have been two apartments and houses with swords hanging on the walls. Indeed, Japanese swords are magnificent. In general, Japanese culture is incredibly interesting. There are many fans of Japanese swords and culture in the U.S. and Europe. Actually, it's not problematic to find interesting information about Japanese culture online. Moreover, there are auctions and online stores that sell various swords. It should be mentioned that kids love studying history of ninja. So, down the page are helpful tips on choosing swords and ninja clothes on the net

As already said above, Japanese stuff attract lots of people from across the world. Thus, many online stores offer Japanese swords and clothes. Besides, folks sell unique swords at auctions. So, if you want to buy a genuine samurai sword, but have no experience and relevant knowledge, you have to be really careful, as there are lots of fakes and scammers in the market. Such swords can be extremely expensive, especially when it comes to ninja swords. There are risks of buying a fake sword for 500 $. That is why, before performing a transaction make sure this is not a fake. There are several ways to do that. Firstly, you should check reputation of the seller. There are lots of offers on Ebay. Look at the seller reputation. If this person sells genuine Japanese swords, he or she should have positive reviews. It is recommended to look for sellers from Japan. Secondly, if you want to buy a sword from a conventional store, you may ask for certificates, i.e. papers stating where the sword was produced. Alternatively, you may ask for professional assistance from antique experts.

As known, there are many forums and communities in social networks dedicated to Japanese culture. There you will find lots of people with the same passions. If you need advice you will get it. Besides, it is cool to communicate with people with identical hobbies. Such people organize offline meetings from time to time to share experience, have fun, exchange swords and clothes etc. So, joining such web sites is definitely an excellent idea for fans of the sword culture. Japanese culture is fascinating, as already said above. You will find plenty of books and websites on the net depicting its beauty. If you want to practice martial arts, you will definitely need additional information.

Please, visit our website if you lack knowledge on ninjutsu. You will find mind blowing articles and pictures on ninja. By the way, your kids will surely enjoy studying this culture. Be a brave warrior. As known, Japanese warriors are brave, fair and smart. Good luck!