tamahagane; traditional Japanese steel made from iron sand
High-carbon steel produced in a tatara furnace, prized for sword-making and edged tools.
Japanese swords are made from tamahagane.
玉鋼は砂鉄を原料とする伝統的な鋼だ。
Tamahagane is a traditional steel made from iron sand.
Compound of 玉 (tama, 'ball, jewel') and 鋼 (hagane, 'steel'), referring to the precious, jewel-like quality of the high-carbon steel produced in a traditional tatara furnace.