Synopsis

English archers possessed their longbows, and sheriffs of the Old West, their six-guns; yet the samurai warriors of Japan wielded the most formidable weapon of all: the katana, or samurai sword, with its razor edge and unparalleled craftsmanship. This program from NOVA explores the centuries-old secrets behind the creation of what many regard as the perfect blade. Fifteen traditional Japanese artisans spent nearly six months crafting a single sword, a process that NOVA documents from the initial