Japanology Plus Season 2019 Episode 20 - Swords

Airdate: 2019-Sep-10

Episode summary:

In Japan, sword fighting is a common feature of period dramas. But Japanese swords, katana, were more than weapons. They were used in rituals, and held as status symbols. Today, they're viewed as works of art. This time on Japanology Plus, our theme is swords. Our main guest is manga artist Kimiko Kamata, author of a katana-themed manga. She explains why the blades have attracted a new audience of young, female fans. And in Plus One, Matt Alt learns how to properly maintain a Japanese sword.

About Japanology Plus series:

Going a step further from our previous series BEGIN Japanology, host Peter Barakan visits experts in various fields to show Japanese culture from a...Show more >