The science behind samurai swords is explored. Included: the six-month creation process of one sword, from smelting to the sharpening of the blade; a Japanese receptionist whose interest in samurai swords maintains a family tradition. Also: Lehigh University professor Michael Notis explains what makes the sword an effective weapon.

NOVA Season 35 Episodes...

• s35e01 - Secrets Of The Samurai Sword
• s35e02 - Ghost In Your Genes
• s35e03 - Marathon Challenge
• s35e04 - Sputnik Declassified
• s35e05 - Judgment Day: Intelligent Design On Trial
• s35e06 - Master Of The Killer Ants
• s35e07 - Missing In MiG Alley
• s35e08 - Absolute Zero: The Conquest Of Cold (1)
• s35e09 - Absolute Zero: The Race For Absolute Zero (2)
• s35e10 - Secrets Of The Parthenon
• s35e11 - Astrospies
• s35e12 - Ape Genius
• s35e13 - The Four-Winged Dinosaur
• s35e14 - Cracking The Maya Code
• s35e15 - Car Of The Future
• s35e16 - A Walk To Beautiful
• s35e17 - Lord Of The Ants

NOVA Show Summary

Seen in more than 100 countries, NOVA is the most watched science based television series in the world and the most watched documentary series on PBS. It is also one of television's most acclaimed series, having won many major television awards, most of them many times over.