NARA--Researchers have unearthed a shield-shaped bronze mirror and massive iron sword in an ancient kofun burial mound here, unprecedented discoveries of their kind in Japan. The unusually ...

The traditional katana sword is fashioned only from the purest steel, which the Japanese call tamahagane ("jewel steel"). Over three days and three nights, smelters using ancient techniques shovel ...

KASHIHARA, Nara Prefecture--An iron sword that at more than 2 meters long ranks as the largest intact ancient blade ever discovered in Japan is heavily ... shaped bronze mirror, during excavation ...