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Kissaki-Moroha-Zukuri is a katana blade shape with a distinctive curved and double-edged blade. One edge of the blade is shaped in normal katana fashion while the tip is symmetrical and both edges of the blade are sharp. Typical features of Japanese swords represented by katana and tachi are a three-dimensional cross-sectional shape of an elongated pentagonal to hexagonal blade called shinogi-zukuri, a style in which the blade and the tang ( nakago) are integrated and fixed to the hilt ( tsuka) with a pin called mekugi, and a gentle curve. Sun-Jin Kim (1996). Tuttle Dictionary Martial Arts Korea, China & Japan. Tuttle Publishing. p.61. ISBN 978-0-8048-2016-5. In Japan, Japanese swords are rated by authorities of each period, and some of the authority of the rating is still valid today. Nanboku-chō period (1336－1392) which corresponds to the early Muromachi period (1336–1573) [1] to present
Roger Ford (2006). Weapon: A Visual History of Arms and Armor. DK Publishing. pp.66, 120. ISBN 9780756622107. The katana belongs to the nihontō family of swords, and is distinguished by a blade length ( nagasa) of more than 2 shaku, approximately 60cm (24in). [9] The arrival of Matthew Perry in 1853 and the subsequent Convention of Kanagawa caused chaos in Japanese society. Conflicts began to occur frequently between the forces of sonnō jōi (尊王攘夷派), who wanted to overthrow the Tokugawa Shogunate and rule by the Emperor, and the forces of sabaku (佐幕派), who wanted the Tokugawa Shogunate to continue. These political activists, called the shishi (志士), fought using a practical katana, called the kinnōtō (勤皇刀) or the bakumatsutō (幕末刀). Their katana were often longer than 90cm (35.43in) in blade length, less curved, and had a big and sharp point, which was advantageous for stabbing in indoor battles. [42] Gendaitō (modern or contemporary swords) [ edit ] Meiji – World War II [ edit ] Katana mountings decorated with maki-e lacquer in the 1800s. Although the number of forged swords decreased in the Meiji period, many artistically excellent mountings were made. The Hon'ami clan, which was an authority of appraisal of Japanese swords, rated Japanese swords from these artistic points of view. In addition, experts of modern Japanese swords judge when and by which swordsmith school the sword was made from these artistic points of view. [67] [68] As the Sengoku period (period of warring states) ended and the Azuchi-Momoyama period to the Edo period started, katana-forging also developed into a highly intricate and well-respected art form. Lacquered saya (scabbards), ornate engraved fittings, silk handles and elegant tsuba (handguards) were popular among samurai in the Edo period, and eventually (especially when Japan was in peace time), katana became more cosmetic and ceremonial items than practical weapons. [38] The Umetada school led by Umetada Myoju who was considered to be the founder of shinto led the improvement of the artistry of Japanese swords in this period. They were both swordsmiths and metalsmiths, and were famous for carving the blade, making metal accouterments such as tsuba (handguard), remodeling from tachi to katana ( suriage), and inscriptions inlaid with gold. [39]Authentic Katana Feel. The handle and grip is exactly the same feel and weight of a true katana blade, making you ready to take on the day. It is said that the following three objects are the most noteworthy objects when appreciating a blade. The first is the overall shape referred to as sugata. Curvature, length, width, tip, and shape of tang of the sword are the objects for appreciation. The second is a fine pattern on the surface of the blade, which is referred to as hada or jigane. By repeatedly folding and forging the blade, fine patterns such as fingerprints, tree rings and bark are formed on its surface. The third is hamon. Hamon is a white pattern of the cutting edge produced by quenching and tempering. The object of appreciation is the shape of hamon and the crystal particles formed at the boundary of hamon. Depending on the size of the particles, they can be divided into two types, a nie and a nioi, which makes them look like stars or mist. In addition to these three objects, a swordsmith signature and a file pattern engraved on tang, and a carving inscribed on the blade, which is referred to as horimono, are also the objects of appreciation. [67] [68] A Japanese sword authentication paper (Origami) from 1702 that Hon'ami Kōchū certified a tantō made by Yukimitsu in the 14th century as authentic
By the 15th century, Japanese swords, including katana, had already gained international fame by being exported to China and Korea. [27] For example, Korea learned how to make Japanese swords by sending swordsmiths to Japan and inviting Japanese swordsmiths to Korea. According to the record of June 1, 1430 in the Veritable Records of the Joseon Dynasty, a Korean swordsmith who went to Japan and mastered the method of making Japanese swords presented a Japanese sword to the King of Korea and was rewarded for the excellent work which was no different from the swords made by the Japanese. [27] [28] The first use of katana as a word to describe a long sword that was different from a tachi, occurs as early as the Kamakura period. [13] These references to " uchigatana" and " tsubagatana" seem to indicate a different style of sword, possibly a less costly sword for lower-ranking warriors. Starting around the year 1400, long swords signed with the katana-style mei were made. This was in response to samurai wearing their tachi in what is now called " katana style" (cutting edge up). Japanese swords are traditionally worn with the mei facing away from the wearer. When a tachi was worn in the style of a katana, with the cutting edge up, the tachi's signature would be facing the wrong way. The fact that swordsmiths started signing swords with a katana signature shows that some samurai of that time period had started wearing their swords in a different manner. [25] [26] a b c d e f Leon Kapp; Hiroko Kapp; Yoshindo Yoshihara (1987). The Craft of the Japanese Sword. Japan: Kodansha International. p.167. ISBN 978-0-87011-798-5. Defend Yourself From The Rain Like A Samurai! This Katana umbrella is the best way to help you combat any storm coming your way. Designed by ex-samurai and kendo warriors, it was hand-crafted to create an authentic katana handle! Ayumi Harada (24 October 2016). "Reception and transformation of foreign cultures in Thailand; focusing on the foreign trade items of the 13th to 18th centuries" (PDF) (in Japanese). Japan Society for the Promotion of Science. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 October 2021 . Retrieved 11 December 2022.
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Pronounced [katana], the kun'yomi (Japanese reading) of the kanji 刀, originally meaning single edged blade (of any length) in Chinese, the word has been adopted as a loanword by the Portuguese. [12] In Portuguese the designation (spelled catana) means "large knife" or machete. [12] Description [ edit ] Mei (signature) and Nakago ( tang) of an Edo period katana The word katana first appears in Japanese in the Nihon Shoki of 720. The term is a compound of kata ("one side, one-sided") + na ("blade"), [6] [7] [8] in contrast to the double-sided tsurugi. See more at the Wiktionary entry. Historically, katana have been regarded not only as weapons but also as works of art, especially for high-quality ones. For a long time, Japanese people have developed a unique appreciation method in which the blade is regarded as the core of their aesthetic evaluation rather than the sword mountings decorated with luxurious lacquer or metal works. [67] [68] Aerodynamic Katana Body. The Katana umbrella was designed by ex-samurai and kendo professionals to mimic the lightweight and aerodynamics of a katana blade.
Main articles: Japanese swordsmithing and Japanese sword mountings Named parts of a katana Cross sections of Japanese sword blade lamination methods a b c d e Kanzan Sato (1983). The Japanese Sword: A Comprehensive Guide (Japanese arts Library). Japan: Kodansha International. p.220. ISBN 978-0-87011-562-2. Traditionally, yumi (bows) were the main weapon of war in Japan, and tachi and naginata were used only for close combat. The Ōnin War in the late 15th century in the Muromachi period expanded into a large-scale domestic war, in which employed farmers called ashigaru were mobilized in large numbers. They fought on foot using katana shorter than tachi. In the Sengoku period (period of warring states) in the late Muromachi period, the war became bigger and ashigaru fought in a close formation using yari (spears) lent to them. Furthermore, in the late 16th century, tanegashima (muskets) were introduced from Portugal, and Japanese swordsmiths mass-produced improved products, with ashigaru fighting with leased guns. On the battlefield in Japan, guns and spears became main weapons in addition to bows. Due to the changes in fighting styles in these wars, the tachi and naginata became obsolete among samurai, and the katana, which was easy to carry, became the mainstream. The dazzling looking tachi gradually became a symbol of the authority of high-ranking samurai. [22] [20] [19] Priest, Graham; Damon Young (21 August 2013). Martial Arts and Philosophy: Beating and Nothingness. Open Court. p.209. ISBN 978-0-8126-9723-0. Kotō (Old swords) [ edit ] Masamune forges a katana with an assistant (ukiyo-e). A Sōshū school katana modified from a tachi forged by Masamune. As it was owned by Ishida Mitsunari, it was commonly called Ishida Masamune. Important Cultural Property. Tokyo National Museum A Sōshū school katana modified from a tachi, Kiriha Sadamune, forged by Sadamune, son of Masamune. 14th century, Kamakura period. Important Cultural Property. Tokyo National Museum Muramasa (勢州桑名住村正) from the Tokyo National Museuma b Kōkan Nagayama (1997). The Connoisseur's Book of Japanese Swords. Kodansha International. p.43. ISBN 978-4-7700-2071-0. As Japanese does not have separate plural and singular forms, both katanas and katana are considered acceptable forms in English. [11] Iwasaki, Kosuke (1934), "Muramasa's curse (村正の祟りについて)", Japanese sword course, volume 8, Historical Anecdotes and Practical Appreciation. (日本刀講座 第8巻 歴史及説話・実用及鑑賞), Yuzankaku, pp.91–118, doi: 10.11501/1265855 Katana were used by samurai both in the battlefield and for practicing several martial arts, and modern martial artists still use a variety of katana. Martial arts in which training with katana is used include aikidō, iaijutsu, battōjutsu, iaidō, kenjutsu, kendō, ninjutsu and Tenshin Shōden Katori Shintō-ryū. [75] [76] [77] Yumoto, John (13 December 2013). The Samurai Sword: A Handbook. Tuttle Publishing. pp.6, 70. ISBN 978-1-4629-0706-9.
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