Green Chemistry Theory and Practice

Green Chemistry Theory and PracticeGreen Chemistry Theory and Practice will introduce a new perspective to the field of chemistry. It will bring together the ancient theories of alchemy with the latest discoveries in the development of organic chemistry. A unique combination of both science and art, this work introduces a modern approach to the field of chemistry that is grounded in a philosophy based on conservation, health, life, and beauty.The philosopher said that darkness is not really something to fear but a new realm of existence that will be revealed when knowledge of the light has been achieved. It was said that the key to unlock the dark forces lies in the discovery of how a being's life force can be retained in a material substance. This philosophy was developed by Victor Frankenstein, who believed that human life can be preserved in a vegetable body by using alchemy as an explanation. This philosophy had a great impact on the society because it became part of the national obsession of alchemy.Early alchemists believed that the lost 'life force' could be preserved in the elements that were extracted from the bodies of the dead. The belief was that a person's spirit resided in the elements that could be extracted and used to recreate a person. The mixture was then eaten or drank to reanimate the person.The essence of an element was its form, i.e. the position and quality of the compounds present in its elemental state. The Philosopher would argue that this essence could be maintained by plants since they contain the essence of the primary elements of which the elements are composed. However, the understanding of this philosophy had become diluted and became a preoccupation of the establishment that considered it a perversion of nature.This Philosophy was not popularized in the Western world and remained only in the laboratories of the Swiss and German scientists who focused mainly on the organic chemistry. This was eventually exposed in the 17th centu ry when English physicist and chemist, Robert Boyle, used the alchemical principles to produce his famous book 'On the Generation and Corruption of Bodies'. This book exposed how plants could be produced from corpses.Now the demand for this theory and practice was increased in the west where the emerging modernization was beginning to see the need for a new approach to the study of organic chemistry. This came in the form of a scientific journal that was published in London by William Ewart Gladstone. However, the British publishing houses wouldn't print this journal because of its religious connotations and didn't allow its publication in the United Kingdom. It was published in America by George L. Howard, who soon made it available to other western countries.The latest discoveries in organic chemistry have presented an opportunity to many researchers to reexamine the belief in the philosophy of life. They have found that this theory is founded on the observation that humans do not exist solely in the five senses. The human soul is not part of the body, but is something that exists in all beings.A person's soul is no different from an animal's soul, since the soul exists outside the body. The soul doesn't depend on the body, it does not reside in the body, and is not confined to a specific space and time. It has been concluded that there is no distinction between the concepts of life and soul since the latter is the same.

The Whole Purpose of Education is to Turn Mirrors into Windows

The Whole Purpose of Education is to Turn Mirrors into Windows The whole purpose of education is to turn mirrors into windows. Sydney J. Harris (1917-1986) Sydney J. Harris was an American journalist for the Chicago Daily News and, later, the Chicago Sun-Times. He wrote eleven books and his column, Strictly Personal was printed  in about  200 newspapers throughout the US and Canada. The Whole Purpose of Education is to Turn Mirrors into Windows The whole purpose of education is to turn mirrors into windows. Sydney J. Harris (1917-1986) Sydney J. Harris was an American journalist for the Chicago Daily News and, later, the Chicago Sun-Times. He wrote eleven books and his column, Strictly Personal was printed  in about  200 newspapers throughout the US and Canada.

Speak Up! How to Improve Your Foreign Language Confidence

Speak Up! How to Improve Your Foreign Language Confidence Speak Up! How to Improve Your Foreign Language Confidence When many of us start speaking a new foreign language, it can seem like our favorite new words are  um, er and uh.After all, we say them all the time, so they must be our favorites, right?Its exciting and fun to start learning a new language, but it can be a bit disappointing when, after studying a little while, you find yourself saying filler words like um and uh more than any of the new words youve learned.Much of the time, though, you struggle not because you dont know the word, but because you doubt yourself.When youre learning any new skill, youre more than likely to feel uncomfortable with actually using it in the beginning, and thats OK. Its natural to be unsure of what youre doing at the start.Of course, youll also experience those same feelings of discomfort when youre learning a new language.It doesnt matter if youre learning that new language in a class or by yourself at home. Either way, those first conversations with native or fluent speakers can be nerve-racking.You mig ht stumble through your sentences worrying about where to place the negation in Japanese, whether or not youve chosen to use the right prefixes in German or if the idea youre trying to communicate is getting lost because of your accent when speaking French.Striking up conversation with a stranger is difficult enough for a lot of people. But doing it in another language? Forget about it!The fact of the matter is, youre never going to master that language without using it in conversation, but youre not going to get through a conversation (if youre even able to begin one) if you dont stop doubting yourself. So how do you push yourself toward speaking without hesitation in a foreign language? Speak Up! How to Improve Your Foreign Language ConfidenceIts easy to give advice like Be confident! or Dont worry! However, thats much easier said than done, since being confident (or worried) are basically uncontrollable reactions we have to a situation.In this post Ill try to give you some acti onable tips that you can follow, as well as a bit of good, old-fashioned motivational pep talk speech thrown in for good measure.Well start with things you should (and shouldnt) do with your body, since a lot of your emotions are manifested through body language.Then well look at how to deal with your accent and actually begin speaking in a foreign language, since a lot of language learners lack confidence because they struggle with those areas.So dont worry: Confidently keep reading and well get you all ready to talk in a foreign language!Work That Body!Lets start with body language.I know youre probably wondering, What the heck does my body language have to do with speaking  a foreign language?Body language is strongly linked to behavior. Studies have shown that one greatly affects the other. Ergo, working on your body language will impact your confidence when speaking another language.Body language: Fake it till you make itWhat do we do when we dont feel confident? We give away m uch more through  our body language than we do with our faces.We slouch, we speak softly, we dont occupy as much space as we usually would and we start breaking eye contact. You might even stop smiling or get an uncomfortable look on your face, which tends to make everyone feel a little bit uneasy!Observe your own behavior the next time you have a conversation. Are you maintaining eye contact? Are you speaking loudly and clearly? Are you standing up straight? These are just some things to think about the next time you approach someone with the intention of speaking in a foreign language.Make a habit out of ensuring that you maintain eye contact (unless thats frowned upon in the cultural context in which you find yourself), and be sure that you dont start fidgeting or trying to shrink down with your body.You tend to do these kinds of things when you feel that youre not in control of a situation. All those doubts you have about what youre saying will start to really show and, as weve said before, itll make conversing with people that much more difficult.You need to counteract all of those instinctive physical expressions of doubt.Be Golden with Your Eye ContactWhen it comes to appropriate eye contact, its all about achieving a balance between too much and not enough. You want to be the Goldilocks of eye contact and get things  just right.The golden rule for making eye contact is to do it about a third of the time for a comfortable conversation, and you can do even more once youve mastered it.Try not to have that shifty, uncertain gaze. Its acceptable if you break eye contact every now and then in conversation. Take a moment to look into the other persons eyes, then switch to something else, then back again; just be sure not to do so too often.Other Handy TipsDont stuff your hands into your pockets or fidget with your hands. If youre that nervous, try interlocking your fingers (behind your back, if necessary!) to keep yourself from doing these things.You can also try holding somethingâ€"anything that wont cause a distractionâ€"in your hands. Youll often find that public speakers do this to avoid that awkward, I dont know what to do with my hands look. If all else fails, try using your hands to clarify what youre trying to say (obviously, without going overboardunless youre a mime and thats your thing).And remember to smile!These might seem obvious but theyre good things to pay attention to regardless. It may not be that extreme for you, but no matter how confident you are when speaking your native tongue, youre going to change slightly when you switch to a foreign language. Keep that in mind.Word UpNow lets talk about actually speaking a foreign language.No matter how incorrect you think your use or pronunciation of a word or sentence is, remember the most important point of all: You should do everything you can to speak clearly and loudly.A Moment of ClaritySince youll be speaking to someone, its important that you dont start mumbling when you get nervous. Its difficult at times to know for sure when youre being too quiet, so remember to enunciate when you speak. This is especially important since youre trying to learn a new language.Try to fill the room (or your immediate area) with your voice. If it helps, pretend youre talking to your grandmother whos hard of hearing! Itll feel strange at first, but youll quickly grow accustomed to it.Even if you dont feel confident, you have to act like you are, at least for a while. The feelings of confidence while speaking will follow naturally, regardless of how well you actually speak. Thats what I mean by fake it till you make it.Youll find that most people are more than accommodating and, more often than not, theyll have fun helping you while youre trying to learn. Well get into that in just a bit.Now that youve pretty much mastered the basics of confident body language and how you should speak, the next thing were going to talk about is the batch of exaggerations and fabri cations you might have concocted in your head.Dont Worry: Most People Love an AccentAccentuate the PositivePeople are generally most afraid of being teased or mocked when they speak a new language. They cant stand the thought of native speakers laughing at their accents or their misuse of a word, even if they do it behind their backs.The thing is, people dont generally do that. In fact, accents can be attractive! And the people who mock or make fun of you in a mean-spirited way simply arent worth worrying about.People all over the world adore it when you try to speak their language, no matter how bad you are at it. Its worth it just to try. You dont have to be afraid of making yourself sound stupid. And even if you do sound a bit stupid, just enjoy it! Laugh it off with everyone else, and realize that some people might be surprised and even nervously chuckle a bit when you speak at first. Usually, they dont mean to.When that happens, its not something you should take personally even if it kind of feels personal at times.The truth is, its often hilarious when unexpected things happen, and people dont usually expect to hear their own language being spoken with a thick foreign accent. That doesnt mean people are laughing at you, theyre just laughing at the sound of your words.So laugh with them! Speak more! If its really that bad, most people will gladly help you, as long as youre genuinely trying to learn. Youre putting in effort and people love that, especially these days when its so easy to just switch to English when things get too tough.Know that there will definitely be times when you say the wrong thing in the right way or the right thing in the wrong way. It happens. But youre still learning.In fact, oftentimes youll discover that you actually know more than you think you do, but youre just too full of self-doubt to speak. So dont pause so much to think, just speak!No more umms and errs as you try to fill the silence, just so you can struggle to recall so me silly  grammatical structure or the correct placement of a preposition. Just speak, and let those beautiful new words you learned flow.Youll have fun, theyll have fun and you might find that through learning and being unafraid to speak, youll have made some new friends.The Takeaway: Just Speak!The next time you start talking to someone in a new language, remember what you learned here. Take a breath, stand up straight, approach the person youre going to converse with, start speaking and laughing and then, when all that is done, youll come back and thank me.Mastering your confidence, like mastering a language, comes with time, patience and practice. But controlling one will impact your control over the other.When you stop being afraid of speaking and really start mastering that language, new countries and experiences will unlock for you in completely new ways, and youll  encounter all kind of new people. Youll find opportunities you would have never been given otherwise.Thats all worth being the butt of a joke a couple of times, isnt it? So dont be afraid to be the fool: make those mistakes with confidence, and youll find that you actually make fewer mistakes than you thought you did.And slowly but surely, youll become more and more confident.Narayan Liu is a writer based in Sweden who has contributed to several websites, all of which revolve around his fascination with culture, both old and new. Its a passion hes cultivated by growing up in the bustling city of Hong Kong. You can discover more about him on his website.   And One More ThingFluentU does wonders for your confidence by exposing you to authentic material that lets you get a feel for real-world situations. FluentU makes it possible to learn languages  from music videos, commercials, news and inspiring talks.With FluentU, you learn real languagesâ€"the same way that real people speak them. FluentU has a wide variety of videos, like movie trailers, funny commercials and web series, as you can see here:FluentU App Browse ScreenFluentU has interactive captions that let you tap on any word to see an image, definition, audio and useful examples. Now native language content is within reach with interactive transcripts.Didnt catch something? Go back and listen again. Missed a word? Hover over or tap on the subtitles to instantly view definitions.FluentU Interactive TranscriptsYou can learn all the vocabulary in any video with FluentUs quiz mode. Swipe left or right to see  more examples for the word you’re learning.FluentU Has Quizzes for Every VideoAnd FluentU always keeps track of vocabulary that you’re learning. It uses that vocab to give you a 100% personalized experience by recommending videos and examples.

How to Get a Tutoring Job in Chicago

How to Get a Tutoring Job in ChicagoThere are many advantages to working as a tutor for a tutoring company in Chicago. Tutors are very helpful, and the level of education can be high. The hours are flexible, and it is extremely easy to find tutors for school or career related situations. There are other benefits, too, like the ability to meet your families' educational needs.Many tutoring jobs are available, and most are located in Chicago. A tutor could work at home, or they could even travel. Each person is different, and the tutor has to find the best fit for their needs. They can specialize in a specific area, such as music, computer science, language arts, special education, or sports. It really depends on the individual.The pay for tutoring is very good. Some of the higher paying positions will pay well in the ten thousand dollar range, but most pay around the two hundred dollar mark. The key to finding a good paying job is to search online, and not go with a company that just sends you an application and pays you what they feel like. You have to research the company, and make sure they are the best fit for you.A tutor can help you prepare for your certification test for either the State of Illinois or the Federal government. When they need proof that you completed the necessary education in order to become a tutor, they will require it. Some companies also require their employees to take and pass the Texas Teacher Certification Test. These courses cover a wide variety of subjects, and many of them will cover careers such as teaching, education, and the military.If you have experience, then you will have an advantage over someone who does not. Many jobs require the ability to provide assistance to students, or tutors who work at home. The skillsof a tutor are necessary, as the same information that is taught in school may not be taught in a classroom. This is why having a background in the subject matter is essential, and being able to learn quickly is im portant.A tutor who works for a private tutor will be responsible for the child's needs in terms of their schooling, their personal growth, and their health. They will also have the responsibility for their own needs. This person will know how to care for the student, but in many cases, parents will need to be involved. The role of a private tutor can sometimes be less flexible than a private education company. This is because they have to focus on the parent-child relationship, rather than focusing on a child.If you want to earn a living as a tutor, then Chicago has the perfect fit for you. There are many jobs to choose from, so make sure to do your research and find the best job in Chicago that you can.

Organic Chemistry Bruice PDF

Organic Chemistry Bruice PDFThe Organic Chemistry Bruice PDF has been a major help to me. I am a biology major at a local college. I was out of my depth and needed to get some extra coursework done, so I decided to look into organic chemistry, this is what I learned.The PDF contains step by step explanations about organic chemistry and its components. All of the explanation is simple to understand and it is also very easy to follow. There are also diagrams, diagrams that illustrate the concepts. The diagrams are also color coded, that means the color corresponds to how important the concept is to the presentation.I really appreciate that you have created these helpful resources for teachers, students, and researchers. For example, if you need to know about peroxides and antioxidants, there is a chart where you can list out all the different types of peroxides and antioxidants that are available. If you are looking for a specific term such as 'cis-trans' versus 'trans', there is a cha rt for that too.You may find that some of your students or colleagues may have a certain interest in organic chemistry that you were not aware of. The Organic Chemistry Bruice PDF has a learning center that you can use for specific topics, whether it is organic hydroxylation or what is known as hypervalent abioselective reaction.The learning center is used to help new students or those who have recently taken the course. A wealth of information can be found on the website for organic chemistry and with some work you can learn even more. You will also find there are some interactive quizzes that will test your knowledge about the course material.Although the Organic Chemistry Bruice PDF is really user friendly, it is also easy to make changes if you need to. When you submit a report you will have the option to edit your work. There is also a history feature that allows you to review previous work, so if you feel that something needs to be changed you can change it easily and quickly. The Online Website is easy to navigate and very clear. There are lots of different topics that you can choose from, so you can customize the Online Website to suit your learning needs. All in all, I really like the Organic Chemistry Bruice PDF, it makes studying organic chemistry a lot easier.

The Essential Vocabulary to Help With Biology Revision

The Essential Vocabulary to Help With Biology Revision The Essential Vocabulary to Help With Biology Lessons ChaptersDo You Need To Expand Your Vocabulary To Study Biology?Essential Terms For A Year 10 Or 11 BiologistContemporary VocabularyWhere To Find More Vocabulary Lists And GlossariesHow Can A Tutor Help You With Essential Vocabulary? MahimaBiology Teacher 5.00 (10) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AndyBiology Teacher 5.00 (2) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AlishaBiology Teacher 5.00 (10) £9/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SaifBiology Teacher 5.00 (9) £22/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors FrankBiology Teacher 5.00 (8) £90/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HeavenliBiology Teacher £9/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SiobhanBiology Teacher £60/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MackenzieBiology Teacher 5.00 (2) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsDo You Need To Expand Your Vocabulary To Study Biology?As we have discovered, Biology is a very broad subject covering a huge number of topics. As such, there is also a vast amount of terminology to get your head around.But what if you only plan to take Biology at GCSE level, and then want to move onto a whole different area of studies? Do you still need to put in effort learning lots of scientific terminology even though you may never use it again?Since Biology is the Science of Life, and therefore teaches us all about humans, as well as our environment, the chances are that you will naturally stumble upon basic Biology terminology during your everyday life, so learning this key vocabulary shouldn't  exactly be much of a strain.Also, by grasping the key terminology of GCSE Biology, then you will find it much easier to grasp new biological words and terms should you choose to further your education within the subject area.However, because we are aware that not everyone aspires to study Biology through to A Level and beyond, we will focus primarily on the bare essentials, starting with the topics that you will study as part of your two-year course.Learning scientific terms can be like learning a whole new vocabulary for some. Photo via Visualhunt.comAt this foundation level, though, you will surely come to realise that the language you first thought was a bit baffling actually isn't that difficult at all!Essential Terms For A Year 10 Or 11 BiologistThe national curriculum seems to be a sensible place to start when discussing GCSE terminology, so let’s take a look at the titles of the topics covered by the AQA syllabus, one of the most common Biology specifications across the UK. Hopefully, by the end of this blog you will be well on your way to loving the interesting subject!AQA GCSE Biology (8461)AQA officials have worked alongside teachers to create a specification that will stimulate and motivate students. As such, they’ve introduced the new 8461 specification, which has been designed in line with new government changes to GCSE exams and is set to replace 4401, whose last exams were taken this summer.This update d course incorporates a range of practical as well as evaluative topics, designed to answer that big question: How does Science work?The specification is based on a series of topics related to the living world and relevant to students. It is designed to help them understand how Science can be used to explain the world in which they live and the impact humans have on it.The topics covered are: Cell Biology, Organisation, Infection and response, Bioenergetics, Homeostasis and response, Inheritance, variation and evolution and Ecology.The assessment offered by AQA is split into two exams, covering roughly equal proportions of the topics covered. Each exam is worth 50% of the final grade so performance is purely based upon the exam.Here are the topic terms explained to put you one step ahead when you begin your GCSE Biology course.Cell BiologyCell Biology is the study of the structure and the function of cells, exploring the concept that the cell is the fundamental unit of all living or ganisms. The term encompasses the characteristics of a cell, meaning the tissues and organisms that each one composes. Since the cell is the smallest unit of a living organism, these building blocks of life must be examined under microscope.OrganisationOrganisation is a biological term used to describe the hierarchy of biological systems and structures. Plants  and animals have different types of cells which share some similar structures. Scientists use the term with a reductionist approach, meaning that the levels in the hierarchical chart represent an increase in organisational complexity based on the previous level’s basic unit.InfectionAs a word that is quite familiar to most societies, you may recognise this term as one which describes the process or state wherein an infectious agent invades the tissues of the hosting organism and multiplies, forming a disease or illness. Infectious agents, which are not normally found in the body, can be viruses, bacteria or parasites.Infect ions can develop as a result of an invasion of bacteria among other external threats. Photo via VisualhuntBioenergeticsBioenergetics is concerned with both Chemistry and Biology simultaneously, looking at the energy that makes and breaks chemical bonds in molecules found in living organisms.HomeostasisHomeostasis is a term which refers to the ability of a cell or group of cells to look for and maintain a stable condition when dealing with external changes. This is commonly used to describe the functions of body parts like the kidney, liver and skin, which each strive to maintain a constant internal environment no matter what the body is up against externally.InheritanceAs a biological term, inheritance means the process of transmitting characteristics genetically from parent to offspring.Inheritance describes the process of passing characteristics from parent to child. Photo credit: manhhai via Visualhunt / CC BYVariationVariation, in biological terms, refers to any differences betw een cells, organisms or groups of organisms caused by genotypic variation. This can also indicate any differences caused by environmental factors, specifically called phenotypic variation.EvolutionEvolution is the natural change in heritable characteristics of living organisms over consecutive generations. There is usually a change in the genes of a population from one generation to the next, resulting from mutation, genetic drift or natural selection. The reason for such evolution is for the organism to adapt physically or in behaviour.EcologyEcology is a branch of Biology which is concerned with the relationships between organisms and their physical surroundings. The interdisciplinary field includes aspects of Biology and Geography. MahimaBiology Teacher 5.00 (10) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AndyBiology Teacher 5.00 (2) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AlishaBiology Teacher 5.00 (10) £9/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SaifBiology Teacher 5.00 (9) £22/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors FrankBiology Teacher 5.00 (8) £90/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HeavenliBiology Teacher £9/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SiobhanBiology Teacher £60/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MackenzieBiology Teacher 5.00 (2) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsContemporary VocabularyAs we have explored in some of our other posts re GCSE Biology, contemporary scientists don't feel that educational courses reflect the new advancements in Biology.Advances in technology are forever changing what we are capable of doing and finding out, not just in the world of science, so it is inevitable that this modern technological era has has a huge influence on Biology in recent years, as shown by the outstanding breakthroughs within the field,In fact, modern molecular Biology relies very heavily on new technologies. However, the technological components of Biology courses at this level have scarcely changed over the last few decades.Scientists believe that modern Biology courses, if they want to really encourage young biologists and give them a real insight into the live science as it exists today, should bring courses up to date and make them more relevant to the discipline.While it seems that Physics is growing with the times, professionals from the Biology sector do not feel that their subject field is given the same level of sophistication within education and therefore aren’t given the basics needed to truly understand things like DNA sequence alignment or gene prediction algorithms.These concepts, which are described as bioinformatics, are important to contemporary biologists and therefore so is the vocabulary linked to them too.Where To Find More Vocabulary Lists And GlossariesIf you are keen to discover more biological words and their definitions, then why not turn to your textbook first of all for some help. Most scientific textbooks will include a glossary of terms which c an be used as revision or to simply be on top of the complex language that crops up during each lesson.Alternatively, if you are on the search for a far wider list of biological terms, then you can find many vocabulary lists online. Sites such as vocabulary.com and myvocabulary.com, for instance, have compiled a collection of 100+ words each that have relevance to Biology.Meanwhile, revision websites such as memrise.com and getrevising.co.uk also have digital flash cards and/or guides to key words within the subject, not forgetting BBC Bitesize which too has a section dedicated to the essential vocabulary of Biology at GCSE level.How Can A Tutor Help You With Essential Vocabulary?If you do happen to be struggling in Biology and think a bit of A Level or gcse biology help might help to relieve some of the pressure of exams, why not hire a biology tutor who may be able to go over key terminology with you every week and help you out  create flash cards containing essential vocabulary o n them.Although a good a level biology tutor can be a bit pricey, it is money well invested if it means that you complete your course with a top grade, or even manage to attain a higher grade than you had previously thought possible. You can also opt for biology online tutoring which might be less expensive as it is more flexible.If you are more creatively driven, you might be interested in the links between Art and Biology revision.Find a biology tutor glasgow.

Japanese Weaponry

Japanese Weaponry The Weapons Used by Japanese Warriors ChaptersLonger Japanese BladesShort Japanese Bladed WeaponsJapanese Ranged and Mêlée WeaponsThe Weapons of Okinawan KobudoJapan is a country with an extremely personal and specific culture. Whether it’s martial arts, samurai, food, manga, or video games, there are so many reasons to be interested in Japanese history and culture.Throughout this history, there have been several conflicts, including those between Japanese medieval clans. Before gunpowder and firearms in the 16th century, Japanese warriors would use blades to fight. Some of these weapons are quite famous in the West through combat sports that use them.When you think of Japanese weapons, you probably think of ninja gear like throwing stars or throwing knives, a grappling hook, and all manner of concealed weapon used by the shinobi or ninja warrior. However, don't forget that there's more to the weaponry of feudal Japan than this.In this article, we’re going to have a look at some of the famous weapons that were used in Japan. Between steel blades, wooden weapons, and deadly projectile weapons, here are some of the tools of war that helped the Japanese army secure victories over the years. NanaJapanese Teacher 5.00 (3) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors EllyJapanese Teacher 5.00 (1) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MomokoJapanese Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MelanieJapanese Teacher £14/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors YukoJapanese Teacher 5.00 (3) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JamesJapanese Teacher 5.00 (5) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PippaJapanese Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarikoJapanese Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsLonger Japanese BladesThe KatanaOf all Japanese swords and blades, the most famous is probably the katana sword, a favourite among samurai. The katana is a sword with a long, thin, and curved blade with just one cutting edge. It’s wor n on the belt with the blade upwards. The katana is arguably the most famous Japanese sword. (Source: stux)There are several uses for the katana: cutting (with the blade), stabbing (with the point), and symbolism. During the Muromachi Period, there were famous smiths known for their legendary katanas.There are many terms relating to the katana:Saya: the sheath made from lacquered magnolia wood.Tsuba: the sword guard.Tsuka: the katana’s handle.Mono-Uchi: the end of the blade with which cuts are made.Bokken: a wooden version of the sword used in the martial art kendo.Shinai: a bamboo version of the sword used for training.Shinken: a modern version of the katana.Among the most popular blacksmiths, you might hear the names Masamune, Kotetsu, Kunimitsu, or even Muramasa. Furthermore, the katana is a weapon present in many contemporary works inspired by Japanese folklore such as Kill Bill, Ruroni Kenshin, or the video game Musashi: Samurai Legend, for example.TachiThe tachi is a Japanese sword that was used until the 13th ce ntury (Koto Period). It was favoured by horse-mounted samurai, hung from the belt to the side, with the blade downwards. It measured around 70cm in length.There are two types of tachi, the decorative tachi (kazaritachi) and the jintachi, which was used for battle. The tachi is used as much for ceremonies as it was used by the shogun in battle.The tachi is an ancestor to the katana and the preferred weapon of Japanese horse-mounted warriors until the 13th century.WakizashiThe waizashi is a sword that’s quite similar to the katana with the main difference being that is only measures between 30 and 60cm. It’s not used for stabbing, but rather for close combat in which a katana would too long or alongside a katana in ceremonies.The samurai were authorised to carry a wakizashi alongside a katana, with the pair being referred to as the daisho. Those who didn’t have the right to carry a katana would carry a wakizashi instead. Some combat styles use a wooden wakizashi, known as a shot o.Wakizashi were used for the seppuku ritual as their size allowed them to easily cut open the stomach.Short Japanese Bladed WeaponsTantoThe tanto is a Japanese blade measuring less than 30cm. It was used by the samurai as an armour-piercing blade or by women in combat. There are two main types: the hamidachi (with a small guard) and the aikuchi (without a guard and a handle made from fish skin).These blades were sometimes used to perform jigai, ritual suicide. They’re similar to Western daggers but with a Japanese touch and a marvellous sheath.TessenThe tessen is a weapon unlike no other; a steel fan. While many fans are decorative, some are deadly. Not this one, though. (Source: Nope2601)There are many tales about the use of the tessen. Here’s one of them:When Araki Murashige was invited before Oda Nobunaga (the “Demon King), he left his sword at the entrance, as was the custom. As he performed the traditional greeting, Nobunaga had planned to decapitate him by closing the sliding doors on his neck. Fortunately, Araki used his tessent to block the doors from closing.Another legend during the Sengoku Era states that the warlord Takeda Shingen survived a horse-mounted attack from Uesugi Kenshin by using a tessen. The tessen can be used as a shield in self-defence or as an offensive weapon when other types of weapon were forbidden.Interested in Japanese culture?Find out more about geishas.Japanese Ranged and Mêlée WeaponsNaginata and YariThese two Japanese weapons are types of lances. The naginata first appeared in Japan in the 10th century having originated in China. This lan ce has a curved blade at the end. It’s light and manageable and was used by several types of warrior:Horse-mounted warriorsWarrior monksFemale guardsLadies of lordsToday, naginata is a martial art predominately practised by women.  The yari is a lance that measures between 2.5 and 4m in length. The blade at the can be double-edged or in the form of a cross (ju-ji). It’s useful for both cutting and stabbing, making the yari one of the most deadly weapons in Japanese history.  Furthermore, you can use the butt of the yari to strike your foe, a movement which features in many aikido kata.Torimono SandoguTorimono Sandogu designed three mêlée weapons during the Edo Period for law enforcement. These weapons include the sasumata (double fork), sodegarami (points), and tsukubo (t-shaped). They weren’t designed to kill but rather capture and were usually used to capture suspected criminals.Ninja Weapons: Yumi, Kunai, Senbon, Shaken, and ShurikenNinjas are shadow warriors who are famo us all over the world for their combat style, ninjutsu. These professional spies used a series of thrown weapons or strikes. Ninjas are very popular in the west. However, they were an important part of Japanese history and so were their weapons. (Source: MichaelWuensch)Firstly, the yumi is a Japanese bow. It wasn’t just used by ninjas but it did give these stealthy warriors an advantage. It wasn’t used as much as the kunai, though. This was a small dagger which worked both as a tool and a weapon.  Ninjas could also use a ninja sword, which was shorter and easier to handle than a katana.Of all the ninja weapons, the shuriken (ninja stars), a metal star that could be thrown at foes and tipped with poison, was among the most famous. The star-shaped shuriken is known as the shaken. Senbon were another effective weapon for the ninja. These metal needles could also be tipped with poison.While ninja weapons are popular in manga such as Naruto, real ninjas had no magical powers but were still really effective.Learn about the world of sumo wrestling in Japan.The Weapons of Okinawan KobudoOkinawa is an archipela go that was annexed by Japan in 1879. At this time, the inhabitants of Okinawa were unsurprisingly unwilling to be invaded and had developed a range of weapons based on traditional agricultural tools. These weapons were integrated into Japanese martial arts and became known as kobudo.The most famous of these weapons is the nunchaku. Nunchaku are two batons held together by a cord or chain and are used similarly to a flail. While the nunchaku is now used more artistically, it served as a tool for self-defence against the invading Japanese armies.The sai is another of these weapons: an Asian dagger with three points that can be used to stab but not cut. It originated from an agricultural tool used to plant rice or pierce fruits. The sai is generally used in pairs but a third can be used as a thrown weapon. Many Japanese weapons evolved from agricultural tools as farmers defended themselves. (Source: steinchen)Okinawans also used a tunkunwa in combat, a type of tonfa with a perpendicular handle. This type of weapon came to be used by law enforcement all over the world but is also used in Japanese martial arts.A lot of Okinawan weapons were based on sickles, hoes, or hooks like the kama and the kue. Another popular weapon, especially in ninja folklore, is the kusari-gama, a sickle attached to a metal chain with a metal weight at the end.Finally, kobudo also features the eku (fishing oar), the bo (measuring around 1.8m), the hanbo (a half baton around 90cm long), the tambo (a short baton between 45 and 60cm) the jo (a walking staff), and the shakujo (a 1.8m staff with metal ends).Now you know a bit more about Japanese weaponry, swords, batons, mêlée weapons, and ranged weapons. If you want to learn even more, consider reading our other articles on Japan or getting Japanese language less ons from a private tutor on Superprof!