Difference between revisions of "Katana"
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[[image:katana.jpg|thumb|right|250px|A katana dating to the 16th or 17th century]] | [[image:katana.jpg|thumb|right|250px|A katana dating to the 16th or 17th century]] | ||
| − | A '''katana''' (刀) is a two handed [[Japan | + | A '''katana''' (刀) is a two handed [[Japan]]ese saber with a single edge. Although the term is generally applied to any Japanese sword, this is incorrect. For example, the ''tachi'' (太刀) sword was longer and more curved than a katana. The ''katana'' replaced the ''tachi'' as the weapon of choice, as it could be worn blade-up, thus enabling the wearer to draw and cut in one move. |
A [[samurai]] warrior would usually carry a ''katana'' (or other long sword ''daito'') into battle, along with a short sword (either a ''wakizashi'' (脇差) meaning "side arm" or a ''tantō'' (短刀) meaning "short sword"). Worn together, the pair of swords are called ''daishō'', which literally means "large and small". | A [[samurai]] warrior would usually carry a ''katana'' (or other long sword ''daito'') into battle, along with a short sword (either a ''wakizashi'' (脇差) meaning "side arm" or a ''tantō'' (短刀) meaning "short sword"). Worn together, the pair of swords are called ''daishō'', which literally means "large and small". | ||
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The katana was considered to be a spiritual object for a samurai, who often named their swords, and it was rumoured their soul was in that blade. After the beginning of the [[Tokugawa Shogunate]], only samurai were permitted to carry these swords. | The katana was considered to be a spiritual object for a samurai, who often named their swords, and it was rumoured their soul was in that blade. After the beginning of the [[Tokugawa Shogunate]], only samurai were permitted to carry these swords. | ||
| − | ==External | + | ==External links== |
*[http://swordforum.com/forge/js-basicforging.html Basic Japanese Sword Forging] | *[http://swordforum.com/forge/js-basicforging.html Basic Japanese Sword Forging] | ||
| − | [[ | + | [[Category:Japan]] |
| − | [[ | + | [[Category:Weapons]] |
[[Category:Swords]] | [[Category:Swords]] | ||
[[Category:Knives]] | [[Category:Knives]] | ||
Latest revision as of 06:02, June 27, 2016
A katana (刀) is a two handed Japanese saber with a single edge. Although the term is generally applied to any Japanese sword, this is incorrect. For example, the tachi (太刀) sword was longer and more curved than a katana. The katana replaced the tachi as the weapon of choice, as it could be worn blade-up, thus enabling the wearer to draw and cut in one move.
A samurai warrior would usually carry a katana (or other long sword daito) into battle, along with a short sword (either a wakizashi (脇差) meaning "side arm" or a tantō (短刀) meaning "short sword"). Worn together, the pair of swords are called daishō, which literally means "large and small".
The blades are classified according to their length. A daito (long sword), for example a katana or tachi, would be over two shaku (where one shaku is equal to approximately 12 inches or 30 centimetres) in length. A shoto or wakizashi would be between one and two shaku long. A tantō blade would normally be less than one shaku in length. The length of a sword blade is measured from the pointed tip of the blade, to the notch just in front of the handle or grip.
The katana was considered to be a spiritual object for a samurai, who often named their swords, and it was rumoured their soul was in that blade. After the beginning of the Tokugawa Shogunate, only samurai were permitted to carry these swords.