Novinky

A dagger is a type of knife with a standard double-edged blade that tapers towards the tip. This design gives the dagger excellent penetrating power and allows for quick and efficient stabbing. Daggers have historically been used as weapons, both in the military and in civilian life. In a military context, they served as a secondary weapon or as part of the equipment of soldiers who fought in close combat.

Civilian daggers were used for self-defense, hunting, but also as tools for common tasks. Daggers come in different shapes and sizes, and can be made from different materials such as steel, titanium, or even ceramic. Today, daggers are popular not only among collectors, but also among lovers of outdoor activities and bushcraft, who appreciate their functionality and versatility.

Tameshigiri is a Japanese term used for the technique of cutting and testing the edge of a sword, typically a katana or other Japanese sword. This process serves to verify the quality and efficiency of the blade, as well as the skill of the swordsman. During tameshigiri, the swordsman tries to aim as accurately and efficiently as possible at various targets, usually made of bamboo (take), but also made of tatami mats or other materials that simulate the human body. The goal is not just to simply fly through the material, but to cut it with such ease and precision that the material remains cleanly split without any jamming or tearing. Tameshigiri is not only a test of the sword, but also of the swordsman's skill. It requires precise technique and a deep understanding of sword movement. For those practicing Japanese martial arts such as iaido or kenjutsu, tameshigiri is an important part of training as it helps develop the ability to use the sword correctly in real-world situations. Historically, tameshigiri was used as a way to confirm the quality and effectiveness of newly made swords, but also as a form of ceremonial testing of swords before battle. Today, it is also a popular activity in Japanese martial arts and among sword collectors. Overall, tameshigiri is not only a practical test of swords, but also an important part of Japanese swordsmanship tradition and culture.

Horimono is a term used to refer to various engraving patterns and decorations on Japanese swords, including katana. These decorations are hand-engraved into the blade of the sword and often have a symbolic or aesthetic meaning. Horimono can be engraved on various parts of the blade, such as the side surfaces (omote), the back of the blade (ura), or the back with the body of the sword (mune). Horimono motifs are often inspired by Japanese mythology, history, nature or religion. For example, you can find different kinds of dragons, gods, flowers, birds or geometric patterns. Each pattern can have its own meaning and symbolism. In the past, horimono were often used as marks of property or to identify the sword, but today they are primarily an aesthetic element that emphasizes the uniqueness and artistic value of the sword. Horimono are usually carved by hand by master artists with years of experience in the art of engraving craft. Each horimono is unique and contributes to the overall aesthetic of the sword. Their presence on a sword can also affect its value and price. Horimono are one of the many aspects that make Japanese swords such fascinating and prized works of art.

Hamon is the name for decorative strips or patterns on the blade of Japanese knives and swords, such as katanas. This technique creates contrasting lines on the blade of the sword and is one of the distinctive elements of Japanese swordsmanship. Hamon is the result of the differential hardening process of the blade. Differential hardening is a technique that involves cooling different parts of the blade differently, creating different hardness and flexibility. This is achieved by covering the blade with a layer of clay with precisely defined shapes. The blade is then heated to a high temperature and quickly cooled. As a result of different cooling, different steel structures are formed in different parts of the blade. Hamon is then a visible consequence of this differentiation in the steel structure. The shape and pattern of hamon is influenced by many factors, including steel composition, clay composition, tempering temperature and time, as well as grinding and polishing techniques after quenching. Each hamon is unique and can be interpreted as the "soul" of the sword. In addition to the aesthetic effect, the hamon also has a functional purpose, providing strength where necessary and securing the edge of the sword. Hamon is thus one of the main elements that makes Japanese swords such as katana such unique and valued works of art.

Hattori Hanzo was a prominent Japanese samurai who lived during the Sengoku period in the 16th century. He was known as a master of swordsmanship, tactics, and as a loyal servant of the Tokugawa clan. Hanzo was known for his loyalty and bravery, and was one of the key officers of the Tokugawa clan. His military skills and strategic knowledge played an important role in the process of unifying Japan under the leadership of the Tokugawas. Hanzo is often depicted as a heroic figure in Japanese history, literature, and culture. His name appears in many folk tales and legends. In a fictional setting, Hattori Hanzo has also been included in various films, television shows, games, and other media, where he is often portrayed as a fearless warrior and martial artist. Hattori Hanzo is also a fictional character in the cult film "Kill Bill" directed by Quentin Tarantino. In "Kill Bill: Volume 1" and "Kill Bill: Volume 2," Hattori Hanzo plays an important role as a reclusive Japanese sword master who lives in solitude, making swords and trying to avoid his past as a master of murderous instruments. Hanzo is sought out by the main character Beatrix Kiddo, known as "The Bride", who seeks revenge against the people who betrayed her and tried to kill her. Hattori Hanzo provides her with a sword (katana) and also helps her prepare for her journey of revenge. The character of Hattori Hanzo is portrayed in the film by the famous Japanese actor Sonny Chiba.

Cosmo Jarvis and Hiroyuki Sanada star in the new hit series "Shōgun," which brings to life and brings to life Japan's violent feudal past in all its terrifying glory. There is a scene in the debut episode "Shōgun" that sets the standard for the brutality that follows. After starvation, mutiny, and the captain's suicide aboard a ravaged Dutch merchant ship, pilot John Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis) and his surviving crew arrive on the coast of Japan at Anjira, where armed guards throw them into a pit to await their fate. While Blackthorne escapes execution, a member of his entourage is less fortunate – he is bound and placed in a cauldron of water where he is slowly boiled to death. No, this isn't Westeros, despite what rave reviews comparing it to Game of Thrones might suggest. This is Japan in the 1600s - a time of great turmoil after two centuries of civil wars. Here, Blackthorne—inspired by Admiral William Adams, the first Englishman to reach Japan—must adapt to a brutal, alien reality as the weak government of the five regents threatens to disintegrate into warring factions after the death of Taikō (the former imperial regent).His survival depends on an alliance with by Lord Yoshii Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada) and Portuguese Catholic missionaries. Originally a world-renowned bestseller (James Clavell's 1975 hit reached 15 million copies by 1990), "Shōgun" has already proven its potential on pay TV. In 1980, the original nine-hour miniseries on NBC—with Richard Chamberlain, John Rhys-Davies, Japanese icon Toshirô Mifune and Orson Welles as narrator—won three Emmys and three Golden Globes after becoming the second most-watched show on American television. Its popularity even contributed to the rise of sushi restaurants in the US during this period. Set in 2024, a new series from Rachel Kondo and Justin Marks brings even more vivid historical context—ultimately delivering a rich depiction of feudal Japan. In the 1600s, world power dynamics were very different from today's world: Protestant England was forced to defend the throne of Elizabeth I against an invasion in 1588 when the Spanish army wanted to restore Catholicism and end English support for Dutch independence from Spain. The second player was a country in dynastic union with Portugal; the two powerful Iberian states had previously divided the oceanic regions outside of Europe between their vast empires with the Treaty of Tordesillas in 1494. Portugal, a pioneer of global exploration, encountered Japan in 1543 – trading for Western goods such as firearms while spreading the Catholic faith through Jesuit missionaries. This context serves as the backdrop for Blackthorn's treacherous voyage in "Shōgun". Thomas D. Conlan, professor of East Asian studies and history at Princeton University and author of "The Samurai and the Martial Culture of Japan, 471–1877: The Sources," explains that the Portuguese (and the Spanish) had two main goals in Japan. The first was to convert Japan to Christianity, and the second was to eventually conquer Japan through the conversion of high-ranking lords to Christianity. However, they had to proceed with caution because the military strength of the Portuguese could not compete with that of the Japanese. This caution was evident as early as 1552, when one of the first Western visitors to Japan noted that the Japanese were very polite to each other but scornful of foreigners. Japan was in the midst of a long and chaotic upheaval at the time – so it seemed that tensions within the Shōgun might erupt. Known as the Sengoku Jidai or "Warring States Period" (roughly 1467-1615), it was an era defined by near-constant civil wars as feudal lords fought for complete control of the land. The goals of three successive warlords—including Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the recently deceased Taikō of Shōgun's narrative, and Tokugawa Ieyasu, his eventual successor—would be achieved by unifying the country in the early 17th century, but not without considerable violence and force from the bushi (samurai) class warriors). A sword-wielding samurai followed a strict moral code that related to the ideals of a cultured warrior. As Danny Chaplin, author of Sengoku Jidai. Nobunaga, Hideyoshi, and Ieyasu: Three Unifiers of Japan explains that their beliefs came from several religious traditions: "From Buddhism, the samurai learned that death was only an illusion, so they were not afraid to die. From Shinto, the samurai learned to honor his ancestors, which he it imparted a deep sense of loyalty and continuity. From Confucianism he learned the basics of how to behave toward others in a strictly hierarchical society." 

Samurai culture has been deeply embedded in Japanese history and tradition and has influenced many aspects of Japanese society. It developed in Japan during the Kamakura period (1185-1333) and lasted until the end of the Edo period (1603-1867).

During this time, the samurai became an important force in Japanese society. They were warriors who fought for their daimyo - Japan's feudal lords. In the Kamakura period, the samurai became the most important forces in Japan and began to play an important role in Japanese politics and culture.

Samurai were armed with swords and proficient in martial arts such as kendo, iaido and spear fighting. These skills were essential in combat situations and also became part of the samurai culture and way of life.

Samurai culture was also heavily influenced by Confucian ideas, which became an important philosophy in Japan at the time. Confucian ideals of justice, loyalty and moral principle became the basis of samurai ethics. These ethics were manifested in various aspects of samurai life, such as bushido, the samurai way of life, which emphasises these values.

Another important part of samurai culture was their armour and weaponry. Swords were considered a symbol of samurai status and many swords were made with great precision and care. In addition, samurai often dressed in jinbaori, which are dyed cloaks adorned with family markings and symbols.

In the Edo period, samurai culture became increasingly formalised and was greatly influenced by the Tokugawa Shogunate, which established peace in Japan and restricted samurai activity.

Seppuku, also known as harakiri, is a ritual suicide performed by samurai and many other people in Japan. Seppuku was considered an honorable method of suicide that allowed individuals to maintain their dignity and honor. It was typically performed by having the person prepare a special ritual space where they would appear before their master or superior and bid farewell to him or her. The person then drew a short sword (tanto, or wakizashi) and used it to slash his or her abdomen, causing death. The body was then usually taken away and buried in a garden or other sacred place.

Seppuku was considered a very serious and respected act, used primarily as a way of defending oneself from loss of face and dignity, in case an individual failed in some important task or failed in an honorable commitment. In some cases, seppuku was ordered as a punishment for a breach of discipline or some other transgression. Although seppuku was banned in Japan in 1873, its tradition still persists as part of Japanese history and culture.