Sword guards are usually disk-shaped, but others are rectangular with rounded corners. The most functional accessory of the katana, the tsuba is the sword guard that protects the hand of swordsmen. Sword Guard or Tsuba Winged dragon tsuba, 17th -18th century – Credits: Mandarin Mansion Antiques The samurai often changed their sword mountings to flaunt their style and personality. It is usually covered with samegawa (shark skin), sometimes ray skin, and a braided hilt wrapping. The hilt of a katana is called tsuka, consisting of the sword guard ( tsuba) and other decorative metal fittings. Hilt or Tsuka Tsuka for a pair of swords – Credits: Wiki Media A katana has a blade length of over 60 centimeters or 23 inches (over 2 shaku in Japanese). The blade length is measured from the base of the blade, excluding the tang, to the tip. Generally, Japanese blades are categorized based on their length. Depending on the technique, the grain patterns may feature straight lines, wavy lines, swirls, or a mix of linear and circular motifs. While forging the katana blade, the swordsmith repeatedly folded the steel, resulting in a distinct grain pattern called jihada. Grain Patterns or Jihada Katana’s Jihada – Credits: Met Museum When examining the surface, there’s a difference between the whitish steel color on the cutting edge and the grayish steel color on the other side. The traditional katana blade is often darker than modern steel and is not reflective. Steel’s Surface or Jigane Katana’s Jigane – Credits: Met Museum The hitatsura has a wild and rugged look, making it the most striking of all types. There are various types of hamon patterns, ranging from straight to waves, arcs, clouds, and such. Katana blades feature a genuine hamon, formed by differential hardening treatments. Temperline Pattern or Hamon Katana’s Distinct Hamon – Credits: Met Museum Experts determine the sword blade curvature by measuring the distance from the back of the blade to an imaginary straight line, drawn from the tip to the hilt, excluding the tang. The katana blade has a shallow curvature that may be at the center, near the tip, or toward the hilt. Curvature or Sori Katana curved blade with distinct curvature – Credits: Met Museum Katana blades feature the visible pattern along the cutting edge ( hamon) and a distinctive blade surface. Japanese swords are most known for their curved blades, which also have several aesthetic features that make them a work of art. Here are the unique characteristics of the samurai sword: Blade Characteristics of the Katana SwordĪpart from its cultural and historical significance, the katana is valued for its exceptional craftsmanship and aesthetic qualities. It replaced the earlier tachi sword, which was worn slung from a belt with the cutting edge facing down, requiring two motions to wield the sword. Worn with its cutting edge up and tucked into the belt, the katana served as the weapon and badge of the samurai as none other than the samurais were permitted to wear the long sword.ĭesigned for powerful slashing attacks, the katana’s edge faces upwards, allowing both actions of drawing and cutting to be executed at the same time. The term katana is often used to refer to Japanese swords in general, but in sword terminology, it specifically refers to a long sword with a blade length of over 60 centimeters long. This article discusses the unique characteristics of a katana, its metallurgy, its history, and how it became the symbol of samurai warriors. Today, it remains one of the most iconic and revered weapons in Japanese history and culture. However, it transcends its role as a mere weapon, as it evolved as a status symbol and work of art. The katana, a curved, single-edged sword, is the weapon most associated with the samurai warriors of feudal Japan.
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