Guide to Japanese culture : history, traditions, religion, lifestyle, relationships, It represents the Zen monk, Bodhidharma, and snowmen,swordmen, samurai in Japan are modeled after it. It is always very interesting to find out culture differences
The art of swordsmaking went on until the 16th century. When the Meiji restoration era started, the caring of Samurai swords was not allowed as a sign for the modernization of Japan.