Rome vs Japan

[Narukami]

I would agree with everything David says except this:

Japanese sword making was amazing and I think superior to all others.

The legend of the katana lives on, and its reputation surpassed the Toledo smiths, even though I think you can make an argument the spanish blade is a better blade.


Now I'm not a metallurgical expert and I'm relying an awful lot on what some colleagues have told me, but I do know that history is based on what survives.

Travis

Points well taken Travis.

Indeed, our view of history is based upon what has survived and what we have found of that which did. (If only the library at Alexandria had...)

Japan is a unique situation, preserving as it did so much from the past. The kabuki theatre is a case in point. Though is has changed and incorporated some new ideas the essence is still deeply rooted in feudal Japanese culture.

Yes, I think you can make a case for the Toledo blades, though I still put weight on Bronowski's comments, realizing of course that we are dealing with some important unknowns in terms of the Spanish sword smiths and their techniques.

Thanks Travis for an insightful post. As I said earlier in this thread, the level of knowledge on this site never ceases to impress me.

And a PhD...soon we will have to call you Dr. TLC.

Your students will have a grand time with that. :lol: :wink:

Narukami