Hi everyone,
I hope you are doing well.
I have to be honest with you — this new interview surprised even me.
It started with a simple question from a master swordsmith: "Do you know the other name of Omoikane, the god of wisdom?" I didn't. And when he told me, I couldn't believe it.
The god of wisdom has a hidden alias: Amatsumara, the deity of the forge. And that secret name opens a door into an esoteric world of sword-making that almost nobody talks about.
In this conversation, we explore:
Why the katana is a symbol of love — It sounds impossible for a weapon, but he explains why the katana embodies wa (harmony) and the very heart of the Yamato spirit.
The yin-yang secret of the forge — In this hidden tradition, tanren (forging) is understood as the union of yin and yang, with fire and steel each playing their part. He calls it a "hidden" — a secret teaching passed among smiths.
What yakiire really is — The dramatic quenching of the red-hot blade at 750°C is, in his words, the moment when condensed energy is sealed inside the sword forever. It's why so many people say they feel something when they hold a genuine nihonto.
I've interviewed many swordsmiths, but I've never had a conversation quite like this one. Some of it may raise your eyebrows — it certainly raised mine — but I promise you'll never look at a Japanese sword the same way again.
🎥 Watch the full interview here 👉 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAakiMwAABY&list=PLOHgag_kQhdMAnDRIVUVW19aunqRoe1Gy&index=24
As always, thank you for being here 🗡️
Kind Regards,
Kei, Matt & Team from the History of Katana
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