Handmade Portraits: The Sword Maker

As one of Japan’s last remaining swordsmiths, Korehira Watanabe has honed his craft for 40 years while attempting to recreate the mythical Koto sword. While in college, Watanabe became inspired by another famous sword craftsman, Akihira Miyairi, who would then go on to become his master. It’s only in the last five years that Watanabe was finally be able to create something similar to the Koto, an instrument of destruction lauded for its abilities during the Heian and Kamakura Periods. In this beautiful short film, watch and learn about the dedication and patience that is needed to craft such a rudimentary, yet tough to master tool.