Katana Swords - Legendary Weapons of Japan

[刀] is a famous Japanese saber used by samurai in open field fights. Nowadays the katana is a collectible item, which also appears in various games, movies and anime. There are thousands of katana in the history of Japan, many are found in museums and castles.

The sword was the most used weapon in medieval Japan, among them we have the Katana and the Wakizashi. In this article, we'll check out the existing types of the sword, and the most legendary ones in Japanese history . We'll show you where you can buy a cheap katana to collect.

Katana - the legendary swords of Japan

How is the katana?

The katana can have different shapes, be short or long, have different appearances and parts. It has an artistic part, the signature of the blacksmith and several other details such as texture and others. Some of the important parts of the sword are:

  • Saya - The scabbard of the sword, made of wood;
  • Tsuba – The tsuba is an iron disk that serves to protect the hand against the opponent's sword blade;
  • Tsuka - The hilt of the sword;
  • Kojiri - It is the end of the saya (sheath);
  • Kurigata - This is where the sageo (rope) is tied;
  • Koi-guchi - The koi-guchi is the "mouth" of the saya;
  • Habaki - It is the part of the sword that fits into the koi-guchi

All the details and parts of the katana can be seen in the image below:

Katana - the legendary swords of Japan

Katana history

Throughout Japan's history, fighting techniques have changed, so swords have also changed shape. There are several types of katana, they were made to adapt to the samurai who wielded it . But there are 4 eras when swords underwent major changes.

Jokoto - During the Jokoto period (800 CE), swords used were straight, single-edged (the Chokuto) or double-edged (Ken) and poorly tempered. There was no standard design and they were tied around the waist with ropes.

Koto (1596-1624)- In the Heian Period the change in fighting style created the need to change the sword. People no longer fought on foot, but on horseback. Swords became long, curved, with a wider, stronger base and a very fine tip. Before Japanese swords were called Tachi, only in the Muromachi period did the classic Katana appear.

Shinto (1596-1624) - In the Tokugawa government with the most accessible raw material and the exchange of experience, swords were even more refined, even with firearms. This time was cruel, as the use of swords and weapons was prohibited.

Gendaito (1876-1953) - In the Meiji Era, swords were made for Japanese military officials, for rituals and public occasions. Despite having the same shapes as a traditional sword, they did not have the main characteristics of artesanato (handcrafted) and non-industrial steel.

Katana - the legendary swords of Japan

the legendary katana

It was in the Kamakura period (1185-1333) the golden age of the Japanese sword. Many swords considered a national treasure were produced in this period. Some legendary swords are still on display today, others are only mentioned in documents. I propose that we meet some.

I'm sorry, but "Masamune 正宗" doesn't have a direct translation as it is a proper noun. The swords that bore that name were made by the legendary blacksmith Masamune. There are many katana that bear the name of masamune, like the Shimazu-masamune that was found recently in 2014, it has been missing since 1862.

I'm sorry, but "Muramasa 村正" is already in Japanese and doesn't require translation. If you need a translation from Japanese to English for a specific context or phrase, feel free to provide more details. This name is famous in video games, there are several swords that were made by the legendary blacksmith Muramasa. She is known to be a demon blade that turns people into assassins. She was also responsible for the deaths of many members of the Tokugawa family.

Mikazuki-Munechika – The name of this katana means “Crescent Moon” and it has a beautiful curve. It is one of the oldest remaining from the 10th century and is housed at the Tokyo National Museum .

Jyuzumaru 数珠丸 - This name comes from a Buddhist rosary that was with the sword. It was kept for quite some time in the Nichiren Temple. It is currently only available on display once a year, November 3 at Honko-ji, Hyogo.

Tenka-Göken (天下五剣) is a Japanese term that translates to "Five Swords Under Heaven" in English. It means Five Swords Under Heaven. A group of 5 legendary swords from the Muromachi period, the swords are: Dōjigiri, Juzumaru, Mikazuki Munechika, Onimaru and Ōtenta.

Did you like the article? Do you know any other legendary swords? Leave your comment and share with friends. Thanks for the comments and the katana.org and wasa-bi.com for the images and inspiration to write this article.

Katana - the legendary swords of Japan

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Where to buy a Katana?

A real Katana with a sharp blade made for killing people is going to be hard to find, but you can easily find replicas for display and decoration in your home. We recommend Amazon, where you can find the cheapest and best.

If you are interested in purchasing a Japanese sword, there are a few options for finding one:

  1. Specialty stores: Look for physical or online stores that specialize in martial arts or Japanese swords. These stores usually have a variety of authentic katanas available for sale.
  2. Specialized Blacksmiths: There are traditional Japanese blacksmiths who produce high quality katanas. However, this type of katana is often more expensive and requires specialized knowledge to distinguish the authenticity and quality of the blade.
  3. Auctions and Specialty Markets: In some cases, you can find katanas for sale at specialized sword auctions or antique markets. These events can be an option to acquire a unique or historic katana.

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