Katana
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. 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.
| 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 | |
| Type | Sword |
| Place of origin | Japan |
| Service history | |
| Used by | Samurai, Onna-musha, Ninja, Kendo, Iaido practitioners |
| Production history | |
| Produced | Nanboku-chō period (1336－1392) which corresponds to the early Muromachi period (1336–1573) to present |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | approx. 1.1–1.5 kg (2.4–3.3 lb) |
| Blade length | approx. 60–80 cm (24–31 in) |
| Blade type | Curved, single-edged |
| Hilt type | Two-handed swept, with circular or squared guard |
| Scabbard/sheath | Lacquered wood, some are covered with fish skin, decorated with brass and copper. |
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