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WABUKAN Arsenal · Swords · Japan

Katana

The curved, single-edged sword of the samurai, worn edge-up through the belt. Its blade is hardened along the edge and softer in the spine, which leaves the wavy temper line (hamon).

Katana
Katana WABUKAN illustration

Also known as

刀 · uchigatana; daitō; nihontō

Origin and history

The katana appeared in the Muromachi period (14th–15th c.), when fighting on foot made a sword worn edge-up through the belt more practical than the long slung tachi. It became the main sidearm of the samurai and, after the 1876 Haitōrei edict banned swords in public, a symbol kept alive by kenjutsu, iaido and kendo.

Martial arts that use it

Kenjutsu Iaido Battodo Kendo

Construction

A blade of about 60–80 cm, slightly curved, forged from folded steel (traditionally tamahagane from the tatara furnace). The edge is clay-hardened, which gives the hamon; the hilt (tsuka) is wrapped over rayskin and the guard is the tsuba.

Sword Guard (Tsuba) with Fence and Flower
Sword Guard (Tsuba) with Fence and Flower, c. 1615–1868. Photo: Cleveland Museum of Art, public domain (CC0) · Museum record
Sword Guard (Tsuba) with Elephant in Pine
Sword Guard (Tsuba) with Elephant in Pine, c. 1800. Photo: Cleveland Museum of Art, public domain (CC0) · Museum record
Sword Guard (Tsuba) with Plovers in Waves
Sword Guard (Tsuba) with Plovers in Waves, c. 1615–1868. Photo: Cleveland Museum of Art, public domain (CC0) · Museum record

Basic techniques

Training

Beginners learn grip, posture and footwork first, then cutting and thrusting lines in solo forms or drills, usually with a wooden or blunt trainer. Paired drills with a partner come next, at slow speed, before any free sparring with protective gear.

Safety

Train with wooden, blunt or club-approved trainers; keep live blades for experienced practitioners under supervision. Check the blade, handle and fittings before every session, keep a clear space of at least two weapon lengths and never cut towards people.

Legality (general information)

Swords, knives and other edged weapons are regulated very differently from country to country (and sometimes from region to region): owning one at home is often allowed, while carrying it in public, buying it under a certain age or importing it may be restricted or banned. Practitioners usually transport them cased, out of reach and straight between home and dojo. This is general information, not legal advice: check the law where you live.

Did you know?

Old swords are graded by length: over 2 shaku (about 60.6 cm) is a katana, between 1 and 2 shaku a wakizashi, under 1 shaku a tantō.

More weapons

Wakizashi Jian Dao Hook swords Krabi / daab Dha

Sources

Original WABUKAN text, written from these cross-checked sources (facts, not sentences).

  1. Wikipedia — Katana
  2. Wikipedia — Japanese sword
  3. Wikipedia — Tamahagane