This is a video about how Japanese samurai swords, aka katanas, are made – from the gathering of the iron sand, to the smelting of the steel, to the forging of the blade. Head over to and enter code ’Veritasium’ for 100 free blades with the purchase of a razor. Make sure to add both the razor and the blades to your cart for the code to take effect.
Special thanks to our Patreon supporters! Join this list to help us keep our videos free, forever:
If you’re looking for a molecular modeling kit, try Snatoms, a kit I invented where the atoms snap together magnetically -
▀▀▀
A massive thank you to John McBride for making this entire project happen. This would not have been possible without John. Please check out his japan walking tours
Massive thanks to Craig Mod, Inoue-san, everyone in the Tanabe family, and Takanashi-san. Also a massive thank you to Kevin Cashen –
▀▀▀
References:
Tanii, H., Inazumi, T., & Terashima, K. (2014). Mineralogical study of iron sand with different metallurgical characteristic to smelting with use of Japanese classic iron-making furnace “Tatara”. ISIJ international, 54(5), 1044-1050.
Tate, M. (2005). History of Iron and Steel Making Technology in Japan Mainly on the smelting of iron sand by Tatara. Tetsu-to-Hagane, 91(1), 2-10.
Krauss, G. (1999). Martensite in steel: strength and structure. Materials science and engineering: A, 273, 40-57.
Krauss, G., & Marder, A. R. (1971). The morphology of martensite in iron alloys. Metallurgical Transactions, 2, 2343-2357.
Yalçın, Ü. (1999). Early iron metallurgy in Anatolia. Anatolian Studies, 49, 177-187.
Kapp, L., Kapp, H., & Yoshihara, Y. (1987). The craft of the Japanese sword. Kodansha International.
Matsumoto, C., Das, A. K., Ohba, T., Morito, S., Hayashi, T., & Takami, G. (2013). Characteristics of Japanese sword produced from tatara steel. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 577, S673-S677.
Inoue, T. (2010). Tatara and the Japanese sword: the science and technology. Acta Mechanica, 214(1), 17-30.
Images & Video:
Great video from NHK –
▀▀▀
Special thanks to our Patreon supporters:
Adam Foreman, Anton Ragin, Balkrishna Heroor, Bill Linder, Blake Byers, Burt Humburg, Chris Harper, Dave Kircher, David Johnston, Diffbot, Evgeny Skvortsov, Garrett Mueller, Gnare, I.H., John H. Austin, Jr. ,john kiehl, Josh Hibschman, Juan Benet, KeyWestr, Lee Redden, Marinus Kuivenhoven, Max Paladino, Meekay, meg noah, Michael Krugman, Orlando Bassotto, Paul Peijzel, Richard Sundvall, Sam Lutfi, Stephen Wilcox, Tj Steyn, TTST, Ubiquity Ventures
▀▀▀
Directed by Petr Lebedev
Written by Petr Lebedev and Derek Muller
Edited by Trenton Oliver, Jack Saxon, Peter Nelson
Animated by Fabio Albertelli, Jakub Misiek, David Szakaly
Filmed by Petr Lebedev and Lui Kimishima
Produced by Petr Lebedev, Derek Muller, Han Evans, Giovanna Utichi, Emily Taylor
Additional research by Gregor Čavlović
Thumbnail by Peter Sheppard
Additional video/photos supplied by Getty Images
Music from Epidemic Sound
4 views
41
10
4 days ago 00:12:05 1
ZenBusiness Review 2024: What Makes It Stand Out?
4 days ago 00:20:33 1
Movie “Wicked” Sign of the End Time
6 days ago 00:03:04 1
Bach, Organ Sonata No. 4 in E minor (BWV 528) 3. Un poco Allegro.
6 days ago 00:00:32 1
…but the people are retarded
6 days ago 00:03:02 1
Milk & Cookies | Holiday Song for Kids | Rhymington Square
6 days ago 00:02:36 5
Jingle Bells | Christmas Song | Super Simple Songs
6 days ago 00:02:36 1
Five Little Elves | Christmas Song For Kids | Super Simple Songs
6 days ago 00:12:48 1
The Brand New STIHL MS400.1! WHY is this CHAINSAW different?
6 days ago 00:08:10 1
AI Agents Will Create MILLIONAIRES in 2025 – Are You Ready
6 days ago 00:04:49 1
Play To Earn🔥This New Play to Earn Game is About to Make a Lot of People RICH
1 week ago 00:03:02 1
SPX Options Trading : Strategies for Big Gains!
2 weeks ago 00:08:50 1
Just Dance 2025 Edition - The Making Of
2 weeks ago 00:11:11 1
Archangels Healing Your Aura @432Hz In Just 11 Minutes With Delta Waves
2 weeks ago 00:00:37 1
I AM KIRA || Death Note
2 weeks ago 00:02:50 1
We Are Number One but it contains spoilers from Madoka Magica Concept Movie (and Rebellion)
2 weeks ago 00:04:14 1
The Hunter - Bloodborne (4K UHD 2024)
2 weeks ago 00:26:26 1
LEGO Horizon Adventures PS5 Pro Gameplay - Thunderjaw Boss Fight