Do you want to know a place or buy a real Katana? Or is your desire to master the katana, its history and meaning? We provide you with information to help you learn more about katanas. You should read this article for more information.
What are the katanas
The katana is a traditional Japanese sword, emblematic of the samurai caste. Characterized by a single-edged curved blade measuring generally more than 60 cm, it is designed to be handled with two hands.
Worn in the belt with the blade pointing up on the left side, the katana allows a quick and effective extraction during fights. When combined with wakizashi, a shorter sword, the whole is called daishō.
Which may symbolize the status and honor of the samurai. The design of the katana makes it effective for both cutting techniques and high-tech attacks. Its blade has distinctive features such as the sori, hamon (visible hardening line), jigane and jihada.
The design of a katana is the result of ancestral traditional know-how, passed down from generation to generation. The katana is not only a weapon, it symbolizes a culture, a history and conveys values such as discipline, precision and patience, values that were dear to the samurai.
History and types of katanas
In ancient Japan, the katana occupies a prominent place in the history of wars and battles. It was designed to meet the military and warlike needs of the time.
Beyond its function as a weapon, the katana, through its manufacture and the culture it represents, has passed through generations and influenced cultures in Japan. The katana, which appeared during the Muromachi era (1392-1573), quickly distinguished itself from other existing swords in terms of its shape, effectiveness, hardness and reach.
The katana is distinguished from the tachi, an older sword held blade down, by being designed to be worn blade up. This way of wearing facilitates a quick and effective stripping.
This innovation met the requirements of close combat and constantly evolving martial techniques.
Anatomy of the katana blade
The katana is distinguished by a complex structure where each component has a name reflecting the cultural importance of this weapon. The blade, the central element, is composed of several distinct parts including:
Habaki: metal piece located at the base of the blade, used to lock the sword in its sheath (saya) and prevent it from falling. To draw, the practitioner pushes on the guard (tsuba) with his thumb to release the habaki from the saya.
Nakago: silk from the blade inserted into the handle (tsuka), often signed (mei) by the blacksmith and with specific grooves (yasurime) varying according to schools.
Mun: back of the blade not sharp, opposite to the edge (hasaki).
Bohi: gutter or longitudinal groove lightening the blade without compromising its strength.
Hamon: Visible quench line resulting from the differential hardening process, delimiting the quenched area (yakiba) from the rest of the blade.
Shinogi: longitudinal edge separating the upper flat part (shinogiji) from the curved part towards the cutting edge.
Kissaki: beveled tip of the blade, distinct from the rest by a ridge called yokote.
How are katanas made?
The manufacture of a Katana follows an ancestral process that is characterized by meticulous technical mastery for an optimal result. To succeed in a katana the experts must follow a possessed step by step without forgetting one of the steps or do one instead of another.
This allows them to receive a perfect result at the end. The first step is to look for the steel tamahagane which is rather traditional made from soot sand and charcoal. It should be noted that this type of steel has a high carbon content and balance.
This gives it an incomparable hardness. The second step is to prepare the steel so that it can be hammered easily. Once the preparation has been completed, proceed to crushing and hammering of steel. This technique consists in giving several blows of mat to the steel in order to be able to remove the impurities it is a passion and give a uniformity to your blade.
After forging, the blade is selectively quenched. This step involves applying a clay mixture to certain parts of the blade before heating and then cooling it quickly. This technique gives the katana its characteristic curvature and ensures an optimal combination of edge hardness and back blade resilience.
Katanas and martial arts
The katana is central to several Japanese martial arts, each with its own distinct techniques and philosophies. Among the most notable disciplines are:
Kenjutsu
This is the traditional art of sword handling, which focuses on realistic combat techniques and strategy. Kenjutsu practitioners often use a bokken, a wooden replica of the katana, to train safely.
Iaido
The iaido is another major discipline, focused on the art of drawing and cutting in one fluid movement. Practitioners usually use a iaitō, a non-sharp metal sword, to master the kata and perfect their gestures without risk of injury.
For strength and precision training, the suburitō, a heavier wooden sword, is used to perform cutting exercises in the vacuum, strengthening the practitioner’s musculature and technique.
Kendo
Kendo, meanwhile, is a modern martial art that simulates fights using shinai, sabres made of bamboo slats, and specific protections. This discipline emphasizes mental discipline, speed and precision of movement.
Maintenance and storage of katanas
Owning an authentic katana is a privilege that comes with the responsibility of maintaining it to preserve its beauty and functionality. Here are the essential steps to keep your blade in perfect condition:
Regular blade cleaning
After each use, gently wipe the blade with a soft cloth to remove fingerprints, dust or residue. Moisture and impurities can cause corrosion, so it is crucial to keep the blade clean and dry.
Protective oil application
Once the blade is clean and dry, apply a thin layer of special sword oil, such as clove oil (choji oil). This oil forms a protective barrier against moisture and prevents rust. Use a soft cloth to evenly spread the oil over the entire surface of the blade.
Sharpening and polishing
Even with regular maintenance, the blade of your katana can lose its edge over time. Use a suitable sharpening stone to sharpen the blade, respecting the traditional sharpening angle. After sharpening, a delicate polishing with specific tools will restore the original shine of the blade.
Proper storage
When not in use, store your katana in its saya (sheath) with the edge facing up. Store it in a dry place, away from temperature and humidity variations, to avoid deterioration.
Buy katana
Wondering where to buy a katana? To effectively buy katana, you must take into account certain criteria so that you do not get caught. Then, you must ensure that the seller has a good reputation and good after-sales service. You need to see if the materials used in manufacturing are authentic and real.
