26 Mr. J. O. Pelton on 
therefore, we should consider that in them the greatest perfection 
in the welding and tempering of steel has been reached. Yet it 
has been truly said that the Japanese blade has no superior, and 
some have boldly affirmed that the finest specimens in the quality 
of the metal and the keenness of their edge excel anything ever 
produced. French experts, than whom there are no more accom- 
plished critics, after a minute and exhaustive examination of some 
of the best Japanese blades, have expressed themselves to the 
effect that if they had not actually seen the results they should 
have considered them unattainable, and they further state, ‘‘ We 
can award nothing but praise to Japanese artificers, for they 
accomplish, with very rude appliances, wonders which are beyond 
the possibilities of our very best workmen, assisted as they are 
with all the resources of perfected machinery.” 
It was not until 1877 that the wearing of swords was abolished 
in Japan, when nearly two millions of people—for that was about 
the number of those entitled to carry these weapons—laid down 
arms which a few months before they would not have relinquished 
while life lasted. The immediate result was to glut the market 
with swords of every description, but the finer specimens soon 
found purchasers, and are now very difficult to obtain, being 
eagerly purchased back by the Japanese themselves. 
Many have doubted whether the great age ascribed to Japanese 
swords can be correct, considering their perfect preservation ; but 
this can be explained by the fact that for a thousand years at 
least Japanese swords have not altered in shape; consequently 
they never, like our weapons, become obsolete and useless; they 
were handed down as precious heirlooms from father to son. A 
Japanese samurai would part with his life by starvation rather 
than sell his father’s sword. There was no risk that it would be 
stolen, as each weapon was believed to have its own spirit, which 
would bring terrible evil upon a wrongful possessor. Many of 
the finest blades are unmounted, é.e. they are without the orna- 
mental mounts which are such a unique feature with Japanese 
swords ; they are instead encased in wooden scabbards, perfectly 
airtight, and thus calculated to preserve their qualities unim- 
paired. It is extremely rare for an ancient blade to retain its 
original mounts, although hidden away in remote temples, or in 
the royal treasuries they may perchance be found. When re- 
quired the Japanese nobleman would have his cherished blade 
mounted either in elaborate mounts for purposes of display, or 
in more serviceable garb for stern warfare, but usually it would 
rest in its wooden sheath where its appearance and quality 
would be in no risk of deterioration. 
The ruler in Japan who did most to discourage the too fre- 
quent use of the sword, who patronized the famous Tea ceremony 
where the sword was forbidden to be worn, and where the con- 
