--- product_id: 10054215 title: "Japanese Swords: Cultural Icons of a Nation; The History, Metallurgy and Iconography of the Samurai Sword" brand: "colin m. roachnicklaus suino" price: "VT17418" currency: VUV in_stock: true reviews_count: 12 url: https://www.desertcart.vu/products/10054215-japanese-swords-cultural-icons-of-a-nation-the-history-metallurgy store_origin: VU region: Vanuatu --- # Japanese Swords: Cultural Icons of a Nation; The History, Metallurgy and Iconography of the Samurai Sword **Brand:** colin m. roachnicklaus suino **Price:** VT17418 **Availability:** ✅ In Stock ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** Japanese Swords: Cultural Icons of a Nation; The History, Metallurgy and Iconography of the Samurai Sword by colin m. roachnicklaus suino - **How much does it cost?** VT17418 with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.vu](https://www.desertcart.vu/products/10054215-japanese-swords-cultural-icons-of-a-nation-the-history-metallurgy) ## Best For - colin m. roachnicklaus suino enthusiasts ## Why This Product - Trusted colin m. roachnicklaus suino brand quality - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Description Japanese Swords: Cultural Icons of a Nation; The History, Metallurgy and Iconography of the Samurai Sword ## Images ![Japanese Swords: Cultural Icons of a Nation; The History, Metallurgy and Iconography of the Samurai Sword - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81JiEB1ji9L.jpg) ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Clean and Sharp *by H***Z on Reviewed in the United States on November 4, 2020* This is is one of the two best books on Japanese swords, the other being 'The Art of the Japanese Sword' by Kapp & Yoshihara. This book by Colin Roach about the same size (big, coffee table style) but has 176 pages compared to Kapp & Yoshihara's 251. Roach's book comes with a DVD which is well made and follows the theme in the book. Roach is adept in Japanese martial arts, being a black belt in Akido. His understanding of the sword as a martial weapon and his research have given us a book that explains the difference in sword designs over the different periods in Japanese history. We are mostly accustomed to the Samurai sword of the Edo period. We will be enchanted by those of the Nara period where the handle is longer than the blade. It is from the exact drawings as well as the beautiful colour photographs that Roach's descriptions are best appreciated. ### ⭐⭐⭐ Wonderful book, but came damaged from shipping process - twice *by A***R on Reviewed in the United States on March 4, 2015* The book itself:My husband absolutely loved this book! I don't know a lot about Japanese swords, but he does - so I was going on a limb purchasing this item. But it did not disappoint! He spent days pouring over it while learning something new on almost every page, and he still has a ways to go before he will read every word. The pictures were very informative and were beautiful too. Plenty to learn in here, even for an aficionado. The book is larger (both in size and in length, i.e. number of pages) so it feels like a good amount of information for the price you pay. The cover is very pretty and has almost a pearl-like finish to it - a perfect addition for the coffee table. All in all, it was a great purchase. I don't think you can go wrong with this book!The shipping/damage:Ok, this is the entire reason why I only gave this product 3 stars. The first time I ordered the book, it came with a box that was too big for it - with a couple other items - and not enough padding/plastic air pockets. For such a heavy book that is paperback and would be bound to move around in a box too big for it, that of course meant that it ended up damaged through the shipping process. The book's cover had been bent significantly on the corners, and even the spine itself had been bent (don't know how the shipping process was that rough but it was apparently). I was upset because it was meant for Christmas and time was running out for a replacement to come. Amazon gladly sent a replacement, but the second time it came the cover was also damaged. I wanted another replacement, but they told me they couldn't send me one - since they were going to have to investigate the seller situation first. So I ended up giving my husband the slightly less-damaged of the two, but I was still a little disappointed about that. Don't know if they've fixed the situation with the seller, but if you're ordering this as a gift be sure to do it with plenty of time before whatever occasion the book is for - just in case you need a replacement. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Japanese Swords: Cultural Icons of a Nation *by C***S on Reviewed in the United States on May 19, 2013* This book is a phenomenal compilation of information via literature, photographs and a compact disk. The information succinctly explains the cultural etiology of the Samurai Sword (Nihonto), its historical religious significance, and its relationship, influence and integration into modern Japanese society.The chapters are well categorized in a logical sequence that detail the cultural and religious lore associated with the genesis of the traditional steel used for a sword's production (tamahagane); historically, the manifest martial need, events and evolution that created the world-renowned Samurai Sword; the various methods of craftsmanship, technique and skill employed in a blade's production which, fantastically, have resulted in a cultural heritage integrated into a modern society and industry; the historical periods of the Samurai Sword and their distinguishing characteristics and features; the transition and transmutation of the Sword into an artistic and cultural icon; the modern craftsman who continue the cultural heritage of Samurai Sword and the its impact on the modern world.The book smartly utilizes a variety of photographs that effectively illustrate technical explanations. The illustrations provide a clear understanding of the subject matter. And the book serves well to dispel common myths and misunderstandings about the Samurai Sword. I would highly recommend the book for the connoisseur, aficionado, and the novice alike who appreciate the Samurai Sword and seek a continuing education on the subject. --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.vu/products/10054215-japanese-swords-cultural-icons-of-a-nation-the-history-metallurgy](https://www.desertcart.vu/products/10054215-japanese-swords-cultural-icons-of-a-nation-the-history-metallurgy) --- *Product available on Desertcart Vanuatu* *Store origin: VU* *Last updated: 2026-05-12*