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Updated on: 02 Feb 2019, 07:48
Originally posted by BrainLab on 07 Mar 2015, 06:12.
Last edited by Sajjad1994 on 02 Feb 2019, 07:48, edited 5 times in total.
Last edited by Sajjad1994 on 02 Feb 2019, 07:48, edited 5 times in total.
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Moderator Note: Discussed at
historians-have-long-recognized-the-japa-nese-sword-or-nihonto-as-on-283723.html
historians-have-long-recognized-the-japa-nese-sword-or-nihonto-as-on-283723.html
Japanese Swords
Historians have long recognized the Japanese sword as one of the finest cutting weapons ever created. But to consider the sword that is synonymous with the samurai as merely a weapon is to ignore what makes it so special. The Japanese sword has always been considered a splendid weapon and even a spiritual entity. The traditional Japanese saying "The sword is the soul of the samurai" not only reflects the sword's importance to its wielder but also is indicative of its importance to its creator, the master smith.
Master smiths may not have been considered artists in the classical sense, but every one of them took great care in how he created a sword, and no sword was created in exactly the same way. The forging process of the blade itself took hundreds of hours as two types of steel were heated, hammered and folded together many times. This created a blade consisting of thousands of very thin layers that had an extremely sharp and durable cutting edge; at the same time, the blade was flexible and therefore less likely to break. It was common, though optional, for a master smith to place a physical Signature on a blade; in addition, every master smith had a "structural signature" due to his own secret forging process. Each master smith brought a high level of devotion, skill, and attention to detail to the sword-making process, and the sword itself was a reflection of his personal honor and ability. This effort made each blade as unique as the samurai who wielded it; today the Japanese sword is recognized as much for its artistic merit as for its historical significance.
Master smiths may not have been considered artists in the classical sense, but every one of them took great care in how he created a sword, and no sword was created in exactly the same way. The forging process of the blade itself took hundreds of hours as two types of steel were heated, hammered and folded together many times. This created a blade consisting of thousands of very thin layers that had an extremely sharp and durable cutting edge; at the same time, the blade was flexible and therefore less likely to break. It was common, though optional, for a master smith to place a physical Signature on a blade; in addition, every master smith had a "structural signature" due to his own secret forging process. Each master smith brought a high level of devotion, skill, and attention to detail to the sword-making process, and the sword itself was a reflection of his personal honor and ability. This effort made each blade as unique as the samurai who wielded it; today the Japanese sword is recognized as much for its artistic merit as for its historical significance.
1. The primary purpose of the passage is to
(A) challenge the observation that the Japanese sword is highly admired by historians
(B) introduce new information about the forging of Japanese swords
(C) identify how the Japanese sword is now perceived as much for its artistic qualities as its
military ones
(D) argue that Japanese sword makers were as much artists as they were smiths
(E) explain the value attributed to the Japanese sword
2. Each of the following is mentioned in the passage EXCEPT
(A) Every Japanese sword has a unique structure that can be traced back to a special forging
process.
(B) Master smiths kept their forging techniques secret.
(C) The Japanese sword was considered by some to have a spiritual quality.
(D) Master smiths are now considered artists by most major historians.
(E) The Japanese sword is considered both a work of art and a historical artifact.
3. The author is most lik ely to agree with which of the following observations?
(A) The Japanese sword is the most important handheld weapon in history.
(B) The skill of the samurai is what made the Japanese sword so special.
(C) If a sword had a physical signature, other swords could be attributed to that swords creator.
(D) Master smiths were more concerned about the artistic merit of their blades than about the
blades’ practical qualities.
(E) The Japanese sword has more historical importance than artistic importance.
4. Which of the following can be inferred about the term “structural signature” in this
passage?
(A) It indicates the inscription that the smith places on the blade during the forging process.
(B) It implies the particular characteristics of a blade created by a smith’s unique forging
process.
(C) It suggests that each blade can be traced back to a known master smith.
(D) It reflects the soul of the samurai who wielded it.
(E) It refers to the actual curved shape of the blade.
5. One function of the second paragraph of the passage is to
(A) present an explanation for a change in perception
(B) determine the historical significance of Japanese swords
(C) explain why each Japanese sword is unique
(D) compare Japanese master smiths to classical artists
(E) review the complete process of making a Japanese sword
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07 Mar 2015, 06:16
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Please BraiLab reformat your post accordigly with the rules for posting in RC section. See here rc-forum-rules-must-read-155874.html
They are mandatory
Thank you for your collaboration
regards
They are mandatory
Thank you for your collaboration
regards
BrainLab
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07 Mar 2015, 06:30
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Hi Carcass, I was just trying to add the OA's, can you please tell me, how I can I add them to the answer choices ?
! 
