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<Heisei no Dai Chokutou>
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@Production Process of the Heisei Long Straight Sword
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The@"Heisei no Dai Chokutou ( long, straight sword )" was made in commemoration of the 21st century,@as well as in commemoration of the 2002 FIFA World Cup.
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Kashima City has been known for its superior craftsmanship in the field of steel production and manufacturing@since the ancient times.@In fact,@Japan's longest straight sword (Futsu no Mitama no Tsurugi,@256p in length) can be viewed at Kashima Shrine. This sword, which is a National Treasure, was made about 1300 years ago.
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Begining in the summer of 1999,@children and adults numbering more than 4000 participated in gathering iron sand along Kashima's seaside.@By May 2000, approximately 1,100 kilograms of iron sand had been gathered.
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Using ancient techniques and tools such as Tatara {foot bellows} Furnace, the iron sand was melted down and purified into a 150 kilogram kera (lump of steel ) with cooperation of Sumitomo Metals employees who have formed a Tatara Club.
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In September 2001, Swordsmith@Shigetoshi@Sato@of Tokyo forged and formed the metal into the shape of the long , straight sword.
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The sword was then polished by Sword Polisher Takayoshi Yamada of Seki City, Gifu prefecture.
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We would like to express our gratitude to the many volunteers who gave of their time to complete the "Heisei no Dai Chokutou".
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We hope that the "Heisei no Dai Chokutou" will be a symbol for world peace in the 21st century and that it will be treasured into the distant future .
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@@@@@@@@@@@ Heisei no Dai Chokutou Production Committee
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