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Katana

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For other uses, see Katana (disambiguation).

The katana (刀) is one of the traditional Japanese swords (日本刀, nihonto) worn by the samurai class of feudal Japan, also commonly referred to as a "samurai sword".[1]

Katana (刀)
Katana signed by Masamune with an inscription (城和泉守所持) in gold inlay, Kamakura period, 14th century, blade length: 70.6 cm[2]
TypeSword
Place of originJapan Japan
Production history
ProducedMuromachi period (1392–1573) to present
Specifications
Blade lengthapprox. 60–73 cm (23½–28½ in.)

Description

The katana is generally defined as the standard size moderately curved (as opposed to the older "tachi" style featuring more curvature) Japanese sword with a blade length greater than 60 cm (23½ inches).[3]

With a few exceptions katana and tachi can be distinguished from each other if signed, by the location of the signature (mei) on the tang (nakago). In general the mei should be carved into the side of the nakago that would face outward when the sword was worn. Since a tachi was worn cutting edge down and the katana was worn cutting edge up, the mei would be in opposite locations on the nakago of both types of swords.[4]

The katana is characterized by its distinctive appearance: a curved, slender, single edged blade, circular or squared guard, and long grip to accommodate two hands.[3] It has historically been associated with the samurai of feudal Japan, and has become renowned for its sharpness and cutting ability.

Etymology

Antique Japanese (samurai) daisho, the traditional pairing of two Japanese swords which were the symbol of the samurai. showing the traditional Japanese sword cases (koshirae) and the difference in size between the katana (top) and the smaller wakizashi (bottom).

In the strictest sense the term katana in Japanese is applied to any kind of single-edged sword, of any origin, and does not necessarily refer to a Japanese sword.

"Katana" was originally used as a general term for a single-edged sword having a "sori" or curvature of the blade. While the "sugata" or form can take many shapes, including double edged, the term is now used incorrectly to describe nihontō that are 2 shaku (606 mm / 23.9 in.) and longer, also known as "dai" or "daito" among Western sword enthusiasts although daito is actually a generic name for any long sword.[5]

This distinguishes them from the straight-bladed chokutō, which was brought from China by way of Korea.[6] The chokutō is speculated to have been the first "sugata" type the katana took on, being modeled after the imported swords. This emergence of the first nihontō took place the same time period as the beginning of Japanese feudalism and recognition of the daimyo or "great family" in the late ninth century.[6]

Pronounced [katana], the kun'yomi (Japanese reading) of the kanji 刀, originally meaning dao (sword) or knife/saber in Chinese, the word has been adopted as a loanword by the Portuguese language.[7] In Portuguese the designation (spelled catana) means "large knife" or machete.[7] As Japanese does not have separate plural and singular forms, both "katanas" and "katana" are considered acceptable forms in English.[8]

Meibutsu (noted swords) is a special designation given to sword masterpieces which are listed in a compilation from the 1700s called the "Kyoho Meibutsucho". The swords listed are Koto blades from several different provinces, 100 of the 166 swords listed are known to exist today with Soshu blades being very well represented. The "Kyoho Meibutsucho" also listed the nicknames, prices, history and length of the Meibutsy with swords by Yoshimitsu, Masamune, Yoshihiro, and Sadamune being very highly priced.[9]

History

A Japanese Edo period wood block print of a samurai with a tachi.

The katana evolved as a more sleek and compact alternative to the tachi. Its origins go at least as far back as the Kamakura Period, with several blades dated from that time residing in various national repositories.

Its growth in popularity is believed to have been due to the changing nature of close-combat warfare. The quicker draw of the sword was well suited to combat where victory depended heavily on fast response times. The katana further facilitated this by being worn thrust through a belt-like sash (obi) with the bladed edge facing upwards. Ideally, samurai could draw the sword and strike down the enemy in a single motion.[6] Previously, the curved tachi had been worn with the edge of the blade facing down and suspended from a belt.[3][6]

The length of the blade varied considerably during the course of its history. In the late 14th and early 15th centuries, katana blades tended to be between 70 to 73 cm (27½ to 28½ in.) in length. While during the early 16th century, the average length was closer to 60 cm (23½ in.). By the late 16th century, the average length returned to approximately 73 cm (28½ in.).

The katana was often paired with a similar smaller companion sword, such as a wakizashi or it could also be worn with the tantō, an even smaller similarly shaped sword. The pairing of a katana with a smaller sword is called the daishō. The daisho could only be worn by samurai and it represented the social power and personal honor of the samurai.[3][6][10]

Forging and construction

Main article: Japanese swordsmithing
Cross sections of Japanese sword blade lamination methods

The authentic Japanese sword is made from a specialized Japanese steel called "Tamahagane"[11] which consist of combinations of hard, high carbon steel and tough, low carbon steel.[12] There are benefits and limitations to each type of steel. High-carbon steel is harder and able to hold a sharper edge than low-carbon steel but it is more brittle and may break in combat. Having a small amount of carbon will allow the steel to be more malleable, making it able to absorb impacts without breaking but becoming blunt in the process. The makers of a katana take advantage of the best attributes of both kinds of steel. The maker begins by folding and welding pieces of high and low carbon steel several times to work out most of the impurities. The high carbon steel is then formed into a U-shape and a billet of soft steel is placed in its center. The resulting block of steel is then drawn out to form a rough blank of the sword. At this stage it is only slightly curved or may have no curve at all. The gentle curvature of a katana is attained by a process of quenching; the sword maker coats the blade with several layers of a wet clay slurry which is a special concoction unique to each sword maker, but generally composed of clay, water, and sometimes ash, grinding stone powder and/or rust. The edge of the blade is coated with a thinner layer than the sides and spine of the sword, then it is heated and then quenched in water (some sword makers use oil to quench the blade). The clay slurry provides heat insulation so that only the blade's edge will be hardened with quenching and it also causes the blade to curve due to reduced lattice strain along the spine. This process also creates the distinct swerving line down the center of the blade called the hamon which can only be seen after it is polished; each hamon is distinct and serves as a katana forger's signature.[6]

The hardening of steel involves altering the microstructure or crystalline structure of that material through quenching it from a heat above 800°C (1500°F) (bright red glow), ideally no higher than yellow hot. If cooled slowly, the material will break back down into iron and carbon and the molecular structure will return to its previous state. However, if cooled quickly, the steel's molecular structure is permanently altered. The reason for the formation of the curve in a properly hardened Japanese blade is that iron carbide, formed during heating and retained through quenching, has a lesser density than its root materials have separately.[6]

After the blade is forged it is then sent to be polished. The polishing takes between one and three weeks. The polisher uses finer and finer grains of polishing stones until the blade has a mirror finish in a process called glazing.[13] This makes the blade extremely sharp and reduces drag, making it easier to cut with. The blade curvature also adds to the cutting power.

Usage

The katana's unique design and in particular its sharpness require quite a few specialized precautions to handle it. Failure to observe these precautions can easily lead to damage to the weapon or severe injury.

Combat

See also: Battōjutsu, Iaidō, Iaijutsu, Kenjutsu, and Shinkendo

Self-defense

Katanas have been used in modern times for self-defense.[14]

Storage and maintenance

If mishandled in its storage or maintenance, the katana may become irreparably damaged. The blade should be stored in its sheath, curve down and edge facing upward to maintain the edge. It is extremely important that the blade remain well-oiled, powdered and polished, as the natural moisture residue from the hands of the user will rapidly cause the blade to rust if not cleaned off. The traditional oil used is choji oil (99% mineral oil and 1% clove oil for fragrance). Similarly, when stored for longer periods, it is important that the katana be inspected frequently and aired out if necessary in order to prevent rust or mold from forming (mold may feed off the salts in the oil used to polish the katana).[15]

Ownership and trade restrictions

United Kingdom

As of April 2008, the British government added swords with a curved blade of 50 cm (20 in.) or over in length ("the length of the blade shall be the straight line distance from the top of the handle to the tip of the blade") to the Offensive Weapons Order.[16] This ban was a response to reports that Samurai swords were used in more than 80 attacks and 4 killings over the 4 preceding years.[17] Those who violate the ban would be jailed up to six months and charged a fine of £5,000. Martial arts practitioners, historical re-enactors and people currently possessing such swords may still own them. The sword can also be legal provided it was made in Japan before 1954, or was made using traditional sword making methods. It is also legal to buy if it can be classed as a 'martial artist's weapon'.[18] This ban applies to England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. This ban was amended in August 2008 to allow sale and ownership without license of 'traditional' hand-forged katana.

However the sale of real katanas and imitation katanas with a straight edge remain unaffected by this law bringing up cause for concern to what its purpose actually is.

Republic of Ireland

As of September 2009, the Republic of Ireland introduced similar laws to the United Kingdom restricting the ownership of swords and other weapons.

See also

References

  1. ^ Nagayama, Kokan (1997). The Connoisseur's Book of Japanese Swords. Tokyo, Japan: Kodansha International Ltd. ISBN 4-7700-2071-6. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  2. ^ "刀　金象嵌銘城和泉守所持　正宗磨上本阿" (in Japanese). National Institutes for Cultural Heritage.
  3. ^ a b c d Sato, Kanzan (1983). he Japanese Sword: A Comprehensive Guide (Japanese arts Library). Japan: Kodansha International. p. 220. ISBN 978-0870115622. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  4. ^ The new generation of Japanese swordsmiths, Tamio Tsuchiko, Kenji Mishina, Kodansha International, 2002 P.30
  5. ^ Tuttle dictionary of the martial arts of Korea, China & Japan, Daniel Kogan, Sun-Jin Kim, Tuttle Publishing, Mar 15, 1996, P.61
  6. ^ a b c d e f g Kapp, Leon (1987). The Craft of the Japanese Sword. Japan: Kodansha International. p. 167. ISBN 978-0870117985. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help) Cite error: The named reference "Kapp 1987" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  7. ^ a b Dalgado, Sebastião Rodolfo (1988). Portuguese Vocables in Asiatic Languages: From the Portuguese Original of Monsignor Sebastiao Rodolfo Dalgado. South Asia Books. p. 520. ISBN 978-8120604131. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  8. ^ Akmajian, Adrian (2001). Linguistics: An Introduction to Language and Communication. Massachusetts: The MIT Press. p. 624. ISBN 978-02625112305. {{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: length (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  9. ^ The connoisseur's book of Japanese swords, Kōkan Nagayama, Kodansha International, 1998 P.31
  10. ^ Ratti, Oscar (1991). Secrets of the Samurai: The Martial Arts of Feudal Japan. Tuttle Publishing. p. 484. ISBN 978-0804816847. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  11. ^ 鉄と生活研究会編　『鉄の本(Book of iron)』 　 ISBN 978-4-526-06012-0
  12. ^ NOVA | Secrets of the Samurai Sword
  13. ^ Kapp 1987
  14. ^ "Johns Hopkins student kills apparent burglar with sword". CNN. September 15, 2009.
  15. ^ Warner, Gordon (2005). Japanese Swordsmanship: Technique and Practice. Boston, Massachusetts: Weatherhill. pp. 110–131. ISBN 0-8348-0236-9. {{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: checksum (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  16. ^ The Criminal Justice Act 1988 (Offensive Weapons)(Amendment) Order 2008
  17. ^ "Ban on imitation Samurai swords". BBC News. 2007-12-12. Retrieved 2011-12-29. Calls for a ban came after a number of high-profile incidents in which cheap Samurai-style swords had been used as a weapon. The Home Office estimates there have been some 80 attacks in recent years involving Samurai-style blades, leading to at least five deaths.
  18. ^ EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM TO THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE ACT 1988 (OFFENSIVE WEAPONS) (AMENDMENT No. 2): ORDER 2008

Further reading

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Katana.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Nihonto.


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