For other uses, see Katana (disambiguation).
Katana (刀?)
Katana Masamune.jpg
Katana signed by Masamune with an inscription (城和泉守所持) in gold inlay, Kamakura period, 14th century, blade length: 70.6 cm[1]
Type Sword
Place of origin Japan Japan
Production history
Produced Muromachi period (1392–1573) to present
Specifications
Blade length approx. 60–73 cm (23½–28½ in.)

Historically, katana (刀?) were one of the traditionally made Japanese swords (日本刀 nihonto?)[2][3] that were worn by the samurai class of feudal Japan, also commonly referred to as a "samurai sword".[4] Modern versions of the katana are sometimes made using non-traditional materials and methods.[5]

Contents

History [link]

A Japanese Edo period wood block print of a samurai with a tachi.

The production of swords in Japan is divided into specific time periods: Jokoto (Ancient swords, until around 900 A.D.), koto (old swords from around 900-1596), shinto (new swords 1596-1780), shinshinto (new new swords 1781-1876), gendaito (modern swords 1876-1945),[6] and shinsakuto (newly made swords 1953-present).[7]

The first use of "katana" as a word to describe a long sword that was different than a tachi is found in the 12th century, these references to "uchigatana" and "tsubagatana" seem to indicate a different style of sword, possibly a less costly sword for lower ranking warriors. During the early Muromachi period (1337 to 1573) the evolution of the tachi into katana seems to have started. From around 1400 long swords signed with the katana signature began to be made in response to samurai wearing their tachi in what is now called "katana style" (cutting edge up). Japanese swords are worn with the signature facing away from the wearer. When a tachi was worn in the style of a katana, with the cutting edge up, the tachi's signature would be facing the wrong way. The fact that swordsmiths started signing swords with a katana signature shows that some samurai of that time period had started wearing their swords in a different manner.[8][9]

The rise in popularity of katana by samurai is believed to have been due to the changing nature of close-combat warfare. The quicker draw of the sword was well suited to combat where victory depended heavily on fast response times. The katana further facilitated this by being worn thrust through a belt-like sash (obi) with the bladed edge facing up. Ideally, samurai could draw the sword and strike the enemy in a single motion.[10] Previously, the curved tachi had been worn with the edge of the blade facing down and suspended from a belt.[11][10]

The length of the katana blade varied considerably during the course of its history. In the late 14th and early 15th centuries, katana blades tended to be between 70 to 73 cm (27½ to 28½ in.) in length. During the early 16th century, the average length was closer to 60 cm (23½ in.). By the late 16th century, the average length returned to approximately 73 cm (28½ in.).

The katana was often paired with a similar smaller companion sword, such as a wakizashi or it could also be worn with the tantō, an even smaller similarly shaped sword. The pairing of a katana with a smaller sword is called the daishō. The daisho could only be worn by samurai and it represented the social power and personal honor of the samurai.[11][10][12]

Modern katana (gendaito) [link]

During the Meiji period the samurai class was gradually disbanded, the Haitōrei Edict in 1876 forbid the carrying of swords in public except for certain individuals such as former samurai lords (daimyo), the military and police.[13] Skilled swordsmiths had trouble making a living during this period as Japan modernized its military and many swordsmiths started making other items such as farm equipment, tools, and cutlery. Military action by Japan in China and Russia during the meiji period helped revive interest in swords but it was not until the Showa period that swords were produced on a large scale again.[14]Japanese military swords produced between 1875 and 1945 are referred to as guntō (military swords).

During the pre World War II military buildup and throughout the war, all Japanese officers were required to wear a sword. Traditionally made swords were produced during this period but in order to supply such large amounts of swords blacksmiths with little or no knowledge of traditional Japanese sword manufacture were recruited, in addition supplies of the type of Japanese steel (tamahagane) used for sword making was limited so several other types of steel was substituted. Short cuts in forging were also taken such as the use of power hammers and tempering the blade in oil rather than hand forging and water tempering, this created swords without the usual characteristics associated with true Japanese swords. The non traditionally made swords from this period are called "showato" after the regnal name of the Emperor Hirohito, and in 1937 the Japanese government started requiring the use of special stamps on the tang (nakago) to distinguish these swords from traditionally made swords. During this wartime period antique swords from older time periods were remounted for use in military mounts. Presently in Japan showato are not considered to be true Japanese swords and they can be confiscated, outside of Japan they are collected as historical artifacts.[15][16][17]

Post World War II [link]

In Japan from 1945 to 1953 sword manufacture and sword related martial arts were banned, many swords were confiscated and destroyed, swordsmiths were not able to make a living. Since 1953 Japanese swordsmiths have been allowed to work but with severe restrictions; swordsmiths must be licensed and serve a five year apprenticeship and only licensed swordsmiths are allowed to produce Japanese swords (nihonto), only two long swords per month are allowed to be produced by each swordsmith, all swords must be registered by the government.[18]

Outside of Japan modern katana are being produced by well known western swordsmiths using modern steel alloys such as L6 and A2, these modern katanas replicate the size and shape of the Japanese katana and are used by martial artists for cutting demonstrations (tameshigiri). The use of modern steel and technology can create strong blades without the risk of damaging valuable antique swords or a valuable modern Japanese katana.[19]

Mass produced swords including iaitō and shinken in the shape of katana are available from many countries with China dominating the market, [20]these types or swords are sometimes called "replicas". These mass produced swords are made with a wide variety of steels and methods. People buy these swords for many purposes including martial arts practice, home defense and for historical re-enactments. The quality of these swords can vary considerably.[21][22]

Description [link]

Antique Japanese (samurai) daisho, the traditional pairing of two Japanese swords which were the symbol of the samurai. showing the traditional Japanese sword cases (koshirae) and the difference in size between the katana (top) and the smaller wakizashi (bottom).

The katana is generally defined as the standard size moderately curved (as opposed to the older "tachi" style featuring more curvature) Japanese sword with a blade length greater than 60 cm (23½ inches).[11]

With a few exceptions katana and tachi can be distinguished from each other if signed, by the location of the signature (mei) on the tang (nakago). In general the mei should be carved into the side of the nakago that would face outward when the sword was worn. Since a tachi was worn cutting edge down and the katana was worn cutting edge up, the mei would be in opposite locations on the nakago of both types of swords.[23]

The katana is characterized by its distinctive appearance: a curved, slender, single edged blade, circular or squared guard, and long grip to accommodate two hands.[11] It has historically been associated with the samurai of feudal Japan, and has become renowned for its sharpness and cutting ability.

Etymology [link]

"Katana" is the term now used to describe nihontō that are 2 shaku (606 mm / 23.9 in.) and longer, also known as "dai" or "daito" among Western sword enthusiasts although daito is actually a generic name for any long sword.[24]

Pronounced [katana], the kun'yomi (Japanese reading) of the kanji 刀, originally meaning dao (sword) or knife/saber in Chinese, the word has been adopted as a loanword by the Portuguese language.[25] In Portuguese the designation (spelled catana) means "large knife" or machete.[25] As Japanese does not have separate plural and singular forms, both "katanas" and "katana" are considered acceptable forms in English.[26]

Forging and construction [link]

Main article: Japanese swordsmithing
Cross sections of Japanese sword blade lamination methods

The authentic Japanese sword is made from a specialized Japanese steel called "Tamahagane"[27] which consist of combinations of hard, high carbon steel and tough, low carbon steel.[28] There are benefits and limitations to each type of steel. High-carbon steel is harder and able to hold a sharper edge than low-carbon steel but it is more brittle and may break in combat. Having a small amount of carbon will allow the steel to be more malleable, making it able to absorb impacts without breaking but becoming blunt in the process. The makers of a katana take advantage of the best attributes of both kinds of steel. The maker begins by folding and welding pieces of high and low carbon steel several times to work out most of the impurities. The high carbon steel is then formed into a U-shape and a billet of soft steel is placed in its center. The resulting block of steel is then drawn out to form a rough blank of the sword. At this stage it is only slightly curved or may have no curve at all. The gentle curvature of a katana is attained by a process of quenching; the sword maker coats the blade with several layers of a wet clay slurry which is a special concoction unique to each sword maker, but generally composed of clay, water, and sometimes ash, grinding stone powder and/or rust. The edge of the blade is coated with a thinner layer than the sides and spine of the sword, then it is heated and then quenched in water (some sword makers use oil to quench the blade). The clay slurry provides heat insulation so that only the blade's edge will be hardened with quenching and it also causes the blade to curve due to reduced lattice strain along the spine. This process also creates the distinct swerving line down the center of the blade called the hamon which can only be seen after it is polished; each hamon is distinct and serves as a katana forger's signature.[10]

When steel with a carbon content of 0.7 percent is heated beyond 750 degrees C it enters the "austenite phase". When austenite is cooled very suddenly by quenching in water the structure changes into "martensite", which is an extremely hard form of steel. When austenite is allowed to cool slowly its structure changes into a mixture of ferrite and pearlite which is softer than martensite. By carefully controlling the heating and cooling of the blade being forged Japanese swordsmiths were able to produce a blade that had a softer body and a hard edge creating a superior weapon, this process is called differential hardening or differential quenching.[29][30] The reason for the formation of the curve in a properly hardened Japanese blade is that iron carbide, formed during heating and retained through quenching, has a lesser density than its root materials have separately.[10]

After the blade is forged it is then sent to be polished. The polishing takes between one and three weeks. The polisher uses finer and finer grains of polishing stones until the blade has a mirror finish in a process called glazing.[31] This makes the blade extremely sharp and reduces drag, making it easier to cut with. The blade curvature also adds to the cutting power.

Usage in martial arts [link]

Katana were used by samurai in practising several martial arts and modern martial artists still use a variety of katana. Martial arts in which training with katana is used include battōjutsu, iaidō, kenjutsu, shinkendo, kendo.

Storage and maintenance [link]

If mishandled in its storage or maintenance, the katana may become irreparably damaged. The blade should be stored horizontally in its sheath, curve down and edge facing upward to maintain the edge. It is extremely important that the blade remain well-oiled, powdered and polished, as the natural moisture residue from the hands of the user will rapidly cause the blade to rust if not cleaned off. The traditional oil used is choji oil (99% mineral oil and 1% clove oil for fragrance). Similarly, when stored for longer periods, it is important that the katana be inspected frequently and aired out if necessary in order to prevent rust or mold from forming (mold may feed off the salts in the oil used to polish the katana).[32]

Ownership and trade restrictions [link]

United Kingdom [link]

As of April 2008, the British government added swords with a curved blade of 50 cm (20 in.) or over in length ("the length of the blade shall be the straight line distance from the top of the handle to the tip of the blade") to the Offensive Weapons Order.[33] This ban was a response to reports that Samurai swords were used in more than 80 attacks and 4 killings over the 4 preceding years.[34] Those who violate the ban would be jailed up to six months and charged a fine of £5,000. Martial arts practitioners, historical re-enactors and people currently possessing such swords may still own them. The sword can also be legal provided it was made in Japan before 1954, or was made using traditional sword making methods. It is also legal to buy if it can be classed as a 'martial artist's weapon'.[35] This ban applies to England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. This ban was amended in August 2008 to allow sale and ownership without license of 'traditional' hand-forged katana.

Ireland [link]

Under the Firearms and offensive Weapons Act 1990 (offensive Weapons) (Amendment) Order 2009, katanas made post-1953 are illegal unless made by hand according to traditional methods.[36]

Gallery [link]

  • Antique Japanese (samurai) katana, Metropolitan Museum of Art.

  • Antique Japanese (samurai) katana, Metropolitan Museum of Art.

  • A katana blade made by Muramasa, 16th century, in Tokyo National Museum.

  • Antique Japanese (samurai) katana with koshirae and shirasaya, attributed to Sukenao, 1600s.

  • Japanese katana showing a horimono (blade carving), MOMA.

See also [link]

References [link]

  1. ^ "刀　金象嵌銘城和泉守所持　正宗磨上本阿" (in Japanese). National Institutes for Cultural Heritage. https://www.emuseum.jp/detail/100189/000/000?mode=detail&d_lang=ja&s_lang=ja&class=&title=&c_e=&region=&era=&century=&cptype=&owner=&pos=97&num=8. 
  2. ^ The Development of Controversies: From the Early Modern Period to Online Discussion Forums, Volume 91 of Linguistic Insights. Studies in Language and Communication, Author Manouchehr Moshtagh Khorasani, Publisher Peter Lang, 2008, ISBN 3-03911-711-4, ISBN 978-3-03911-711-6 P.150
  3. ^ The Complete Idiot's Guide to World Mythology, Complete Idiot's Guides, Authors Evans Lansing Smith, Nathan Robert Brown, Publisher Penguin, 2008, ISBN 1-59257-764-4, ISBN 978-1-59257-764-4 P.144
  4. ^ Nagayama, Kokan; trans. Kenji Mishina (1997). The Connoisseur's Book of Japanese Swords. Tokyo, Japan: Kodansha International Ltd.. ISBN 4-7700-2071-6. 
  5. ^ The Medieval Sword in the Modern World, Author Michael 'Tinker' Pearce, Publisher Lulu.com, 2007, ISBN 1-4303-2801-0, ISBN 978-1-4303-2801-8 P.59
  6. ^ Samurai: The Weapons And Spirit Of The Japanese Warrior, Author Clive Sinclaire, Publisher Globe Pequot, 2004, ISBN 1-59228-720-4, ISBN 978-1-59228-720-8 P.40-58
  7. ^ The Yasukuni Swords: Rare Weapons of Japan, 1933-1945, Authors Tom Kishida, Kenji Mishina, Publisher Kodansha International, 2004, ISBN 4-7700-2754-0, ISBN 978-4-7700-2754-2 P.42
  8. ^ Katana: The Samurai Sword, Author Stephen Turnbull, Publisher Osprey Publishing, 2011, ISBN 1-84908-658-3, ISBN 978-1-84908-658-5
  9. ^ The Connoisseur's Book of Japanese Swords, Author Kōkan Nagayama, Publisher Kodansha International, 1997, ISBN 4-7700-2071-6, ISBN 978-4-7700-2071-0 P.28
  10. ^ a b c d e Kapp, Leon; Hiroko Kapp, Yoshindo Yoshihara (1987). The Craft of the Japanese Sword. Japan: Kodansha International. pp. 167. ISBN 978-0-87011-798-5. 
  11. ^ a b c d Sato, Kanzan (1983). he Japanese Sword: A Comprehensive Guide (Japanese arts Library). Japan: Kodansha International. pp. 220. ISBN 978-0-87011-562-2. 
  12. ^ Ratti, Oscar; Adele Westbrook (1991). Secrets of the Samurai: The Martial Arts of Feudal Japan. Tuttle Publishing. pp. 484. ISBN 978-0-8048-1684-7. 
  13. ^ The Connoisseur's Book of Japanese Swords, Author Kōkan Nagayama, Publisher Kodansha International, 1997 ISBN 4-7700-2071-6, ISBN 978-4-7700-2071-0 P.43
  14. ^ Samurai: The Weapons And Spirit Of The Japanese Warrior, Author Clive Sinclaire, Publisher Globe Pequot, 2004, ISBN 1-59228-720-4, ISBN 978-1-59228-720-8 P.58-59
  15. ^ Modern Japanese Swords and Swordsmiths: From 1868 to the Present, Authors Leon Kapp, Hiroko Kapp, Yoshindo Yoshihara, Publisher Kodansha International, 2002 ISBN 4-7700-1962-9, ISBN 978-4-7700-1962-2 P.58-70
  16. ^ The Connoisseur's Book of Japanese Swords, Author Kōkan Nagayama, Publisher Kodansha International, 1997 ISBN 4-7700-2071-6, ISBN 978-4-7700-2071-0 P.43
  17. ^ Samurai: The Weapons And Spirit Of The Japanese Warrior, Author Clive Sinclaire, Publisher Globe Pequot, 2004, ISBN 1-59228-720-4, ISBN 978-1-59228-720-8 P.58-59
  18. ^ Samurai: The Weapons And Spirit Of The Japanese Warrior, Author Clive Sinclaire, Publisher Globe Pequot, 2004, ISBN 1-59228-720-4, ISBN 978-1-59228-720-8 P.60
  19. ^ The Medieval Sword in the Modern World, Author Michael 'Tinker' Pearce, Publisher Lulu.com, 2007, ISBN 1-4303-2801-0, ISBN 978-1-4303-2801-8 P.59
  20. ^ Spirit of the Sword, Author Steve Shackleford, Publisher Adams Media, 2010, ISBN 1-4402-1638-X, 9781440216381 Chapter 2
  21. ^ Hardcore Self-Defense, Author C. R. Jahn, Publisher iUniverse, 2002, ISBN 059521651X, 9780595216512 P.113-117
  22. ^ The Medieval Sword in the Modern World, Author Michael 'Tinker' Pearce, Publisher Lulu.com, 2007, ISBN 1-4303-2801-0, ISBN 978-1-4303-2801-8 P. 48-60
  23. ^ The new generation of Japanese swordsmiths, Tamio Tsuchiko, Kenji Mishina, Kodansha International, 2002 P.30
  24. ^ Tuttle dictionary of the martial arts of Korea, China & Japan, Daniel Kogan, Sun-Jin Kim, Tuttle Publishing, Mar 15, 1996, P.61
  25. ^ a b Dalgado, Sebastião Rodolfo; Anthony X. Soares (1988). Portuguese Vocables in Asiatic Languages: From the Portuguese Original of Monsignor Sebastiao Rodolfo Dalgado. South Asia Books. pp. 520. ISBN 978-81-206-0413-1. 
  26. ^ Akmajian, Adrian; Richard A. Demers, Ann K. Farmer, Robert M. Harnish (2001). Linguistics: An Introduction to Language and Communication. Massachusetts: The MIT Press. pp. 624. ISBN [[Special:BookSources/97802625112305|97802625112305]]. 
  27. ^ 鉄と生活研究会編　『鉄の本(Book of iron)』 　 ISBN 978-4-526-06012-0
  28. ^ NOVA | Secrets of the Samurai Sword
  29. ^ By the Sword: A History of Gladiators, Musketeers, Samurai, Swashbucklers, and Olympic Champions, Author Richard Cohen, Publisher Random House Digital, Inc., 2003ISBN 0812969669, 9780812969665 P.124
  30. ^ Tàijí Jiàn 32-Posture Sword Form, Author James Drewe, Publisher Singing Dragon, 2009, ISBN 1-84819-011-5, ISBN 978-1-84819-011-5 P.10
  31. ^ Kapp 1987
  32. ^ Warner, Gordon; Draeger, Donn F. (2005). Japanese Swordsmanship: Technique and Practice. Boston, Massachusetts: Weatherhill. pp. 110–131. ISBN [[Special:BookSources/0-8348-0236-9|0-8348-0236-9]]. 
  33. ^ The Criminal Justice Act 1988 (Offensive Weapons)(Amendment) Order 2008
  34. ^ "Ban on imitation Samurai swords". BBC News. 2007-12-12. https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7139724.stm. Retrieved 2011-12-29. "Calls for a ban came after a number of high-profile incidents in which cheap Samurai-style swords had been used as a weapon. The Home Office estimates there have been some 80 attacks in recent years involving Samurai-style blades, leading to at least five deaths." 
  35. ^ EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM TO THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE ACT 1988 (OFFENSIVE WEAPONS) (AMENDMENT No. 2): ORDER 2008
  36. ^ https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/2009/en/si/0338.html

Further reading [link]

External links [link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Katana
Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Nihonto


Japanese (samurai) weapons, armour and equipment
Sword construction
Swords & daggers
Pole weapons
Practice weapons
Nihonto (Traditionally made blades)
Samurai armour
Samurai armour types
Samurai clothing
Samurai accoutrements
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Clubs and truncheons
Staff weapons
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https://wn.com/Katana

Katana (disambiguation)

Katana is Japanese for backsword and often refers to uchigatana, especially in English. For a list of fictional katana, see Katanas in fiction. Katana may also refer to:

  • Katana (band), Swedish heavy metal band
  • Katana (brand), Japanese golf equipment brand
  • Katana (comics), a DC Comics fictional character
  • Katana (web series), a martial arts web series on Strike.TV
  • Qatana, a city in Syria
  • Qatanna, a town in the Palestinian Territories
  • Katana (photocopier), a photocopier manufactured by Ricoh
  • Suzuki Katana, a motorcycle manufactured by Suzuki
  • Sanyo Katana, a mobile phone manufactured by Sanyo
  • "A1 Katana", a model of the Diamond DA20 aircraft manufactured by Diamond Aircraft
  • a character from Coyote Ragtime Show
  • Katana, the development code name for the Dreamcast
  • the former name of the Enigma (yacht), one of the world's largest private superyachts
  • Katana (manga), a manga by Kimiko Kamada
  • General Katana, a character from the movie Highlander II: The Quickening
  • AR-15 Katana, a prototype lightweight assault rifle
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    Dreamcast

    The Dreamcast (Japanese: ドリームキャスト Hepburn: Dorīmukyasuto) is a home video game console released by Sega on November 27, 1998 in Japan, September 9, 1999 in North America, and October 14, 1999 in Europe. It was the first in the sixth generation of video game consoles, preceding Sony's PlayStation 2, Nintendo's GameCube and Microsoft's Xbox. The Dreamcast is Sega's final home console, marking the end of the company's 18 years in the console market.

    In contrast to the expensive hardware of the unsuccessful Sega Saturn, the Dreamcast was designed to reduce costs with "off-the-shelf" components, including a Hitachi SH-4 CPU and an NEC PowerVR2 GPU. Released in Japan to a subdued reception, the Dreamcast enjoyed a successful U.S. launch backed by a large marketing campaign, but interest in the system steadily declined as Sony built hype for the upcoming PlayStation 2. Sales did not meet Sega's expectations despite several price cuts, and the company continued to incur significant financial losses. After a change in leadership, Sega discontinued the Dreamcast on March 31, 2001, withdrawing from the console business and restructuring itself as a third-party publisher. 9.13 million Dreamcast units were sold worldwide.

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    Bolero (1975-1986) was a dressage horse and an influential sire. He stood 16.1 hands (65 inches, 165 cm).

    Pedigree

    Bolero was by the English Thoroughbred stallion Black Sky, who was imported to Germany in 1972. Black Sky was a grandson of the great stallion Djebel, who also sired the very influential My Babu, a stallion seen in many show jumpers and hunters pedigrees in the United States. Black Sky stood at the private stud farm of Schmidt-Ankum, and his offspring were generally talented dressage horses with good rideability, but with very little jumping talent.

    Bolero's dam, Baroness, was registered with the Hanoverian Verband. She was half-Thoroughbred through her sire, the large-framed stallion Bleep. Her dam's side includes Hyperion, who in turn traces to Bay Ronald. The dam-sire of Baroness was the stallion Athos, who was known as a broodmare sire of dressage horses, and her damline (Athos-Fliegerstern) also produced the stallions Grenadier, Hitchcock, and Winner.

    This breeding combination of a Thoroughbred stallion to a mare that was by a Thoroughbred was prohibited by the Hanoverian studbook at the time, due to the belief that the offspring would be unsuccessful.

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    Bolero, Sarajevo

    Bolero, Sarajevo or shortened Bolero is the name of a theatre show produced by the East West Theatre Company from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Tala Dance Center from Croatia. Authors, choreographer Tamara Curic from Zagreb, Croatia and director Haris Pasovic, created a dance performance in which Sarajevo and choreography impressed with Maurice Béjart's work are in interaction. They were largely inspired by the flux of Sarajevo, Ravel’s music and 'Béjartesque' swinging bodies. Performance included dancers from Zagreb who regularly collaborate with the TALA Dance Centre, actors of the East West Theatre Company from Sarajevo, and the members of the Sarajevo National Theatre’s Ballet Company.

    Haris Pasovic, Sarajevo theater director and drama professor at the Academy of Performing Arts, injected this predominantly dance production with occasional humorous monologues, in which the people of Sarajevo tell intimate stories about their post-war lives. This performance was created to commemorate the siege of Sarajevo during the Bosnian War.

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    Les Uns et les Autres

    Les Uns et les Autres is a 1981 French film by Claude Lelouch. The film is a musical epic and it is widely considered as the director's best work with Un Homme et une Femme. It won the Technical Grand Prize at the 1981 Cannes Film Festival. In the United States, it was distributed under the name Boléro in reference to Maurice Ravel's orchestral piece, used in the film. The film was very successful in France with 3,234,549 admissions and was the 6th highest grossing film of the year.

    Plot

    The film follows four families, with different nationalities (French, German, Russian and American) but with the same passion for music, from the 1930s to the 1980s. The various story lines cross each other time and again in different places and times, with their own theme scores that evolve as time passes.

    In Moscow, 1936, an aspiring dancer Tatiana marries a man, Boris, who will give her a son just before he is killed during World War II. In Berlin, Karl Kremer’s success as a pianist is confirmed when he receives praise from Hitler – something which will haunt him throughout his life. In Paris, a young violinist Anne falls in love with a Jewish pianist, Simon Meyer; they marry and produce a son, but they end up on a train bound for a Nazi concentration camp. In New York, Jack Glenn is making his name with his popular jazz band. Twenty years on, their children are reliving their experiences, and Anne Meyer continues her hopeless quest to find the son she was forced to abandon.

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