There is a lot of rich history that surrounds the Katana sword. The Katana is a traditionally made Japanese sword used during the feudal period in Japan. Samurai Katana is characterized by a single edged curved blade with either a circular or square guard.
This Katana sword has a long grip and can accommodate both hands of the Samurai. There are actually six different periods when the production of swords in Japan took place. Katana is also known as uchigatana which describes a long sword to differentiate this sword from that of the Tachi. However, Tachi was the inspiration for the Katana.
Katana were traditionally made from Japanese steel using different folded layered stee with various carbon concentration. This process actually removes the impurities. Older steel has higher oxygen concentrations and can be easily stretched to remove the impurities.
This process is made during the hammering phase were a stronger Katana is forged. The edged of the blade is coated with a thinner layer of clay. Because of the process of hardening and quenching this causes the blade to harden and curved. This is because of the difference in densities applied to the steel.
After the forging process, the Katana blade is sent to be polished. This produces a mirror finish which improves the aesthetics of the sword. A matte finish is given to the blunt edge of the sword to emphasize the hamon.
Samurai warriors preferred using Katana sword. During combat, it was essential that the fighter needs to quickly draw his sword. It was this quick response time that save the lives of the owner hence the preference for Samurai Katana.
This sword was convenient to use because it can be worn with the help of a belt like sash or obi. The warriors wore the sharp edges facing up. The Katana has evolved throughout the course of Japanese history. During the early 16th century the average length of this sword was only 60 cm however, by the late 16th century this has been change to 73 cm.
Katana was often paired with a wakizashi or a smaller sword. Wearing both the Katana with the wakizashi was symbolical because only those who have social power and deeply revered fighters were given the honor to wear the daisho.
Daisho is another term given for the wakizashi when worn by Samurais. Gradually, the samurai class was disbanded and the privilege of carrying these swords in public was prohibited during the Meiji period. It was the Haitorel Edict of 1876 that only allowed the carrying of these swords only to the Samurai lords or daimyo, police and those who are in military.
