Our Oldest Manmade Possession

When we travel, we sometimes come across a piece of art or culture or a collectable to take back with us as a momento of our experience.

In Japan, we met with a Samaurai Sword expert and acquired an antique Japanese blade. It arrived in the mail for our unboxing last weekend.

This Katana was made by Iga no Kami Fujiwara Kinmichi, an esteemed Kyoto swordsmith from the early Edo period (between 1658 and 1661). That makes it the oldest manmade item we own.

It's amazing how these were made,, folding the pure tamahagane "jewel steel" 15 times to create more than 30,000 layers. No wonder they have a reputation for being the strongest blades ever made!

The Samaurai sword is said to contain the soul of the Samauri who used it. We will take good care of this one.