Visualization of Hand-Polishing Process for Japanese Swords

– Mechanical Properties of Natural and Artificial Polishing Stones and Kansei Evaluation by Sword Polishers –

Abstract

Japanese swords are fabricated by craftsmen called swordsmiths. Furthermore, they are finally finished by a hand-polishing process by craftsmen called Japanese sword polishers. Japanese sword polishers polish the swords using various sword-polishing stones and draw out their beauty to the maximum extent possible. In this study, we investigated both the mechanical characteristics of sword-polishing stones and the Kansei (sophisticated sensation) evaluation by sword polishers. According to the results of our evaluations, the abrasive grains of natural polishing stones are smaller than those of artificial polishing stones. Moreover, we evaluated the Kansei of Japanese sword polishers using the DEMATEL method and we attempted to visualize the process by which sword polishers acquire their expertise.