A foreigner in Japan has managed to apprentice to one of the country’s most famous sword smiths. Roberto is the best apprentice swordmaker in the entire forge – but will Japan’s traditional swordmaking society accept him?
Imagine traveling halfway around the world to fulfill a lifelong dream – to one day forge a perfect Samurai sword.
Roberto is one of the few foreigners who has ever been allowed to apprentice to one of Japan’s top swordmakers. He reveals:
• Where the materials come from (hint: you need a 100-year-old temple)
• What he puts inside the blade so that it remains flexible but can slice through two-inch armor
• How much does a genuine samurai blade cost
(Part 2)
How do you keep the blade from cracking when you plunge it into cold water?
Why does it take 8 days to polish a blade?
They say each blade has a soul. Where does it come from?
Roberto is the best apprentice Masaume has ever had. If he passes the test, he will create a dilemma that Japan’s traditional swordmaking society has never had to face. Will they allow Masamune’s sacred name to be passed on to a foreigner?
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