TOKYO, Japan — In Narita City, just east of Tokyo, one of the oldest Japanese martial arts skills is still being taught. "This teaching is called Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto-ryu," said Otake Risuke. ...

'The fact that foreign collectors cherish Japanese swords helps to unearth ancient works taken overseas after 1945. It also serves as a force for preserving traditional techniques facing extinction.

Japanese swords focus on powerful cutting with a curved blade, while Chinese swords emphasize balance and movement with straight or curved designs. Japanese sword combat is direct and precise, whereas ...