Genesis - Finding Balance in Korean Sword Making

Dir. Colleen Puglisi

DP. Andrew Smith

Prod. Mike Lee

Edit. Leland James

Balance can be described as finding the equalizing point between two opposing forces, and as both a design principle and a life philosophy, it is central to Korean culture. For master swordsmith Eun-cheul Lee, balance is essential to the creation of his hand-crafted swords. He revived a traditional Korean style of sword making that had been lost for 100 years. By blending different types of iron ore to make the steel used in his swords, he achieves balance in his blades and successfully brings an ancient technique into modern times.