| I've learned of the katana when I started | | | | than 16 times, and then it is hammered to its |
| watching anime series. The blade with its unique | | | | basic sword shape. The gentle curvature can be |
| shape and legendary reputation, it strikes with a | | | | achieved by quenching. The blade is coated with |
| power that it leaves you in awe and wonder. | | | | wet clay slurry concoction. After the blade is |
| The katana is a type of Japanese sword | | | | forged it is sent away for polishing until it gets its |
| commonly known as a samurai sword. Its | | | | mirror finish. |
| distinctive appearance is a curved, slender and | | | | In order to maintain its peak condition, the katana |
| singled edge blade, either circular or squared. It | | | | must be stored in its sheath, with the blade facing |
| has a long grip that can accommodate two hands. | | | | upward. If it is not maintained properly, it may |
| The blade is a symbol of the samurai of feudal | | | | become irreparably damaged. Part of its |
| Japan. It is favored by many because if its | | | | maintenance process is to oil, powder and polish |
| sharpness and cutting ability. Its origin can be | | | | the blade. And it is also necessary to inspect and |
| traced back in the Muromachi period (1392-1573). | | | | air the blade to prevent rust and mold from |
| Its creation was the result of manipulating battle | | | | forming. |
| conditions by requiring the user to respond rapidly. | | | | The katana is considered as the soul of the |
| The length was previously 70 and 73cm (27.6 and | | | | samurai. Many other weapons have risen and |
| 28.7 inches) long during the late 14th and 15th | | | | fallen in use but the sword has been the most |
| centuries. Then in the early 16th century the | | | | favored choice of weapon. Japanese people value |
| average length is 60cm (23.6 inches), but | | | | the blade, and often refer to them as priceless, |
| afterwards it was again reverted back to the | | | | never really placing a fixed monetary value on it. |
| standard 73 cm. | | | | Samurai's were the only people allowed to carry |
| The katana is most often paired with a wakazashi | | | | and use it. Indeed, when a Ronin is forced to sell |
| or shoto, a similar but shorter sword. It can also | | | | his blade for money, it is regarded as highly |
| be paired with a tanto, a smaller shaped knife. But | | | | dishonorable in Japanese society. There are certain |
| it is usually paired with the first. When paired with | | | | etiquette observed when a samurai uses his |
| the wakazashi, it is now called the daisho, and it | | | | sword, whether they are sheathed or unsheathed. |
| represents the social power and personal honor of | | | | The concept of the katana being the soul of the |
| the owner. | | | | samurai had its roots in the early Tokugawa |
| Authentic katanas are made from special | | | | Shogunate. The Shogunate needed to provide high |
| Japanese steel called the Tamahagane, a | | | | value gifts to its retainers. Usually the gift of land |
| combination of hard, high carbon steel and low, | | | | is the typical gift. But since the land is a scarce |
| tough carbon steel. The reason for these | | | | commodity for the shogunate, the sword was |
| combination is because the high-carbon steel may | | | | then used as a replacement. Gifts of swords are |
| be harder and sharper, but tends to be more | | | | then used for births and weddings. The higher the |
| brittle and breakable during combat. Introducing | | | | value of the swords, the higher the honor is |
| the small amount of carbon makes it more | | | | bestowed upon the recipient of the gift. If |
| malleable and able to absorb impacts without | | | | possible, it is most often passed down from |
| breaking. But it will become blunt with usage. | | | | generation to generation, as part of the heirloom |
| Some blades consists of 2, 4 or even five pieces: | | | | of a distinguished family. Sometimes, the blade is |
| a core, edge and two side pieces. | | | | given a name depending on its unique style or |
| The steel is heated and hammered over a given | | | | who the maker is. Since the katana is the soul, |
| period of days, then folded and hammered to | | | | people who owned it regard it with reverence and |
| remove impurities. The blade is folded no more | | | | respect as if the sword is a living person. |