that goes back centuries,

幾個世紀以前的傳統工藝

and one that's carried on to this day.

並且一直延續到今天。

Each sword requires dedication, skill,

每把刀都需要付出全部的心力、技巧

and can take over 18 months to create.

並且可能需要超過 18 個月的時間來鑄造。

The resulting blades can be worth thousands of dollars.

這樣鑄造出來的刀可能價值數千美元。

So, what makes them so expensive?

那麼，是什麼原因使它們如此昂貴？

Master Akihira has been making swords for 21 years.

Akihira 大師鑄刀已經 21 年了。

He was inspired by a sword crafted by the legendary

他啟蒙於一把由 13 世紀的傳奇鑄刀大師

13th century swordsmith Masamune.

Masamune 所鑄造的武士刀。

And after a five-year apprenticeship, and years of training,

當了 5 年的學徒，並經過多年的訓練之後

he became one of the 180 swordsmiths

他成為全日本 180 位

working across Japan.

鑄刀師之一。

Japanese swords have always been more than just weapons.

日本武士刀向來不僅僅是武器。

They were artworks, status symbols, and throughout history,

它們更是藝術品、身分地位的象徵，並且在整個日本歷史中

held a huge spiritual importance.

具有重大的精神意義。

Each sword is a unique artwork,

每把刀都是獨特的藝術品

and one that is made to be admired as you would a painting.

就像是一幅畫作一樣，令人激賞。

As sheets of steel

當鋼板

are folded into each other again and again,

一次又一次地經過折疊鍛打

wood-grain-like patterns form, and these patterns,

就形成了木紋狀的圖案，這些圖案

coupled with the skill of the sword master

與鑄刀大師的技術相結合

create a completely unique blade.

就創造出一把獨一無二的刀。

Knowing what to look for in each sword is important.

知道從每把刀中看出什麼樣的訊息是很重要的。

Characteristics like the angle and length of the blade,

例如刀刃的角度和長度

or the way the metal is folded,

或金屬折疊的方式等特性

could give away the era in which it was made,

就可能會透露出它的製造年代

and even who made it.

甚至是鑄造者。

Looking at the months of work

縱觀每把刀的鑄造

that go in to creating each blade,

都需費時數個月才能完成

it's easy to see why these swords command such a high price.

就很容易知道，為什麼這些刀會價值不斐。

And as there are less and less sword masters across Japan,

隨著日本的鑄刀大師逐漸凋零

these works or art are only going to become more valuable.

這些作品或藝術品只會變得更有價值。