Archive for November 2011
Buying Fantasy Swords and Weapons – What to Look For
November 26, 2011 | 
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Fantasy weapons, and particularly fantasy swords, are offered in a broad variety of styles including Highlander, Lord of the Rings, Samurai, Dragon and Final Fantasy swords. If you are looking for a fantasy sword you need to be aware of how you will be using the sword and what to look out for. There is a significant disparity in fantasy weapons made for simply decorative use and those made to be functional or ‘battle ready’. The
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Samurai Sword Basics, A Brief History
Capturing the spirit of old Japan and recognised by its deadly curvature, the samurai sword is widely recognised throughout the world as the most deadly of all Japanese weaponry. Although gaining modern fame and notoriety in modern epic cinema in such films as The Last Samurai and the Kill Bill series by Quentin Tarantino, samurai swords have long being an iconic symbol of Japan and its history.
The most famous samurai sword, the Katana, is curved and bladed only on one side – if you have seen Kill Bill, you will know exactly what I’m talking about. The Katana was developed in the 10th century to enable Japanese calvery to carry out surprise attacks on their enemy and was worn hung from the belt with the cutting edge faced upwards.
The craft of forging katana samurai swords peaked during 1190 – 1337 – many of the swords from this era we’re assigned national treasures. Thousands of swords are still circulated and collected from more recent times; the most popular ‘collection’ era’s being WW1 and WW2. eBay is a great place to find both old and new samurai swords, but beware of what you’re buying – a lot of swords sold today are machine replicas and only fit for display purposes.
There were however many types of samurai swords and the other often mentioned includes shorter swords, one being the wakizashi (shoto) and the tanto knife. Only the samurai were allowed to carry these as a pair.
Castles in France – Dungeons and Daggers, Oh My
Visiting castles in France can be exciting – with all the stories of ferocious battles and knights in shining armor. Some of the castles are even known to have a resident ghost.
France has well over 1,000 castles throughout the country. A few of these castles have been used as stage sets for movies, such as Jeanne d’Arc and Chocolat.
So why are there so many castles in France? Castles served primarily as the residence of a nobleman who defended certain territories. They were places especially designed to protect the nobleman and citizens from any invading army, which is the reason why castles have drawbridges and battlements. Each castle was a fortress where the nobleman could control the surrounding territory.
One of the most famous castles in France would probably be the Chateau de Versailles. This castle was once just a village 10 miles from Paris, but today it is a suburb of the capital city. It has always been the center of power for the absolute monarchies. Noblemen from all the surrounding territories were required by Louis XIV to spend some of their time every year at Versailles, so that he could prevent regional power from developing.
If you venture out into the countryside, you’ll find that many French castles are built high on top of cliffs, such as Castlenaud and Beynac in the Perigord region. East of Beynac is the French Chateau de Montfort. This castle has seen many wars throughout the past, burned down and rebuilt many times.
Gordes, in Provence, is also a highlight and popular tourist destination. The village homes are made of stone, in colours of honey and terracotta, with its medieval castle perched at the top. The relaxed and laid back atmosphere which prevails around the village, makes it easy to forget that Gordes has had a tumultuous history, having been besieged during the Wars of Religion.
Famous French castles are not the only things you’ll see. There are many villages that were built on hillsides, as fortresses during a battle, and have remained today. All of them with amazingly gorgeous surroundings – a standout being the Lot Valley, which covers 4 districts: Midi-Pyrenees, Acquitaine, Languedoc-Roussillon, and Auvergne.
Najac, for example, is a village that was built on a ridge – one reason for this was that it was much harder to fight when a soldier had to run uphill, and it was easier for the defending people to fight looking down on the enemy. The village still has the fortress and medieval style homes.
Penne is a beautiful picturesque village that is a must-see, built on the side of a lush green hill. The battlements are located at the top, with the beautiful medieval houses just below the battlements; the 12th century church makes you feel like you are stepping into the past.
Hopefully, this small tidbit of information shows that the culture and French architecture in the larger cities is not all that there is to see, while touring France.