Masters of Defence - Bamboo & Steel - Royal Armouries DVD

This DVD is part of the Royal Armouries' Arms in Action series that was shown on TV.

MASTERS OF DEFENCE: Masters of Defence traces the history of civilian swords in Europe between 1500 and 1800 when both were necessary not for self-defence but for social status. Exciting authentic action sequences recreate the brief deadly combats of the street fight and duel as well as the elegant swordplay of the fencing school.

BAMBOO AND STEEL:The weapons of the Japanese samurai warriors were the bow and the sword, one made of bamboo, the other of steel. So significant to them was their sword that it has been called 'The soul of the Samurai'. Their bow, too, was important and has its own very distinctive place in Japanese culture.

This film shows why both sword and bow are still of great importance in Japan today and tells something of their history. Much of it was shot at the Nikko Toshogu Shrine, including scenes of kendo and the famous yabusame horse archery which is performed as part of the Shrine's most important festival of the year.

The film also contains unique footage of the entire process of making a Japanese sword.

Running time 58 mins

Please note, the section 'How A Man Schall Be Armyd' mentioned on the back of this DVD, no longer appears when played.