Katana

Katana (日本刀)
A katana modified from a tachi forged by Motoshige. Bizen Osafune school influenced by the Sōshū school. 14th century, Nanboku-chō period. Important Cultural Property. Tokyo National Museum
TypeSword
Place of originJapan
Service history
Used bySamurai, Onna-musha, Ninja, Kendo, Iaido practitioners
Production history
ProducedNanboku-chō period (1336-1392) which corresponds to the early Muromachi period (1336–1573)[1] to present
Specifications
Massapprox. 1.1–1.5 kg (2.4–3.3 lb)
Blade lengthapprox. 60–80 cm (24–31 in)

Blade typeCurved, single-edged
Hilt typeTwo-handed swept, with circular or squared guard
Scabbard/sheathLacquered wood, some are covered with fish skin, decorated with brass and copper.[2][3]

A katana (刀, かたな) is a Japanese sword characterized by a curved, single-edged blade with a circular or squared guard and long grip to accommodate two hands. Developed later than the tachi, it was used by samurai in feudal Japan and worn with the edge facing upward. Since the Muromachi period, many old tachi were cut from the root and shortened, and the blade at the root was crushed and converted into a katana.[4] The specific term for katana in Japan is uchigatana (打刀) and the term katana (刀) often refers to single-edged swords from around the world.[5]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference en20p43 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference takeot was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ "日本の技術の精巧さは…". Mainichi Shimbun. 27 March 2016. Archived from the original on 28 August 2016.
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference suriage was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ 日本刀と刀の違い Nagoya Japanese Sword Museum Touken World