History of katana sword

The history of samurai swords is a fascinating and long one, with some swords having been in use as early as the beginning of the 9th century. There are many different types of samurai swords, but they all share certain common features that make them unique in the world. 

One such feature is called a kissaki. This is the point at which the blade meets its hilt and has various functions depending on how it's used: piercing or slashing, stabbing or cutting, and also for catching an opponent's weapon to allow for further destruction. Not only does a kissaki have many uses, but it can also be made from different materials ranging from steel to ivory.

Everyone knows the samurai swords, most of which are known as a katana sword. These swords were originally used by samurai, who wore them with the belief that they would be stronger and more skilled because of their armbands. They're also depicted in many anime and manga series as weapons for fighting or killing opponents. 

The first ones were likely made in 1260, though there's evidence that it may have been earlier than this date. Katana are famous for being able to cut through armor due to how sharp they can be.

Qualities of a Katana Sword

A katana sword, or samurai sword is a traditional Japanese blade that was typically made out of carbon steel, and then quenched in water. This process helped to remove impurities from the metal, and to make it harder by changing the molecular structure. These swords are one of the most famous symbols of Japan and are usually worn by samurai warriors. 

Samurai warriors sometimes wrapped cloth around their swords to protect them from moisture when transporting them cross country on horseback at night. The word katana comes from two Japanese characters: “ka” meaning “saya” meaning “a sheath for a blade,” and “to mean "cutting". They were sometimes kept in sheaths made of metal called “saya”.

These real swords were used by samurai warriors, as well as a civilian militia, in feudal Japan as a symbol of status and power. They were also used by non-samurai that had no actual military bearing, but sought to follow the samurai path to some degree. The most famous katana is the curvature of "kogai" which has different names (the name is only for one side), but it was considered important for the quality of the blade itself.

Samurai katana sword

Parts of a Katana Sword

The blade of the katana is usually 30 - 60 centimeters (1 to 2 foot long) and often called a blade or kensaki. In some cases it can be as short as 15 cm (6 inches). The cutting edge is on the concave side. The spine of the blade runs from this edge to just below where the two edges meet, creating a narrow tang which extends into a handle, known as the hilt.

The tsuba is more ornamental than protective, but still creates an important visual separation between tsuka and saya. It may be made from iron or steel with engravings in relief or may be entirely decorative, such as modern-made tsuba for replica anime swords. Koshirae ( ??, lit. sword mounting) is the term for the ornamental mountings of a Japanese blade, including the tsuka, kashira, and fuchi and kojiri. 

Other small fittings, such as the sageo (cord) and yasuri (sword guard rope), are considered part of a koshirae. The tsuka itself is wrapped with samegawa or shagreen (sharkskin) to provide a good grip and avoid slippage.

Fittings of an Authentic Katana Sword

As we have seen, the blade is an important component of a katana sword; however, it is not the only important component. When you are interested in purchasing an authentic katana sword for yourself or for someone else, you'll want to make sure that the fittings are also authentic. 

The better the quality and condition of these fittings, the better your katana will be overall.The handle has two components: a tang, which is a portion of metal that goes into the hilt of your sword; and a grip. The handle is usually covered with rayskin or lacquered wood.

History and Early Katanas

As you know a katana sword is a traditional Japanese long sword with a curved blade, and was the standard issue weapon of the samurai in feudal Japan. Trust us when we say you're going to want to know how to do this. Very little is known about the history of these swords before the Heian Period (794-1185 AD). 

The tachi, or katana as it has come to be known in the West, was originally called a chokuto (much like its predecessor) and had a straight blade. These full tang swords were very similar to tachi; they had a long tang with two holes drilled into it for attaching to a hilt, which was essentially just a wooden handle. 

The first version of what we know today as the Japanese tachi or katana came about in 1194, when the curved silhouette of this weapon developed for the first time. The reason for the distinct curve is unknown. Many people believe that a samurai would only use the curved blade in conjunction with the Japanese tsuba, a decorative plate that's attached to the hilt of a weapon and usually painted black. 

Others say it was possibly because the curved blade offered better balance (hence aiding in sword fighting). The first swords made during this period were high quality, so much so that some samurai used their own hand-crafted blades for display purposes. By 1252, however, swordsmen were using lower grades of weapons and these were basically mass produced, which led to cheap knockoffs being made.

Read More: 5 Most Expensive Samurai Swords


Key Features to Consider

If you're interested in buying a real katana sword, it's important to know what to look for when shopping. You'll want a sturdy blade made of high-quality steel with an edge that can withstand the use of katana tactics. 

Katana sword

  • Size of Sword

At what size do I want my sword? It's typically best to go for a smaller katana as its weight will help you control it. However, bigger swords are easier for beginners because they have more power behind them and are less likely to break or bend during heavy use. You can leave the decision up to your discretion, but most katana fantasy swords are between two and three feet in length.

  • Angle of Blade

At what angle should the blade be? This is an important aspect of a katana sword because it helps your opponents be slowed down by slicing through their armors. Ideally, you want to aim for a 30-degree angle to start, which allows you to get an extra few inches towards your opponent's body during every swing. This is achieved by holding the blade at around a 45-degree angle and then adjusting up or down to suit yourself.

  • Weight of Sword

How much weight should I add? The general rule of thumb is that bigger swords have less weight than smaller ones because they have more mass behind them. However, this doesn't apply when considering real life swords because you can never add too much weight! You'll need to factor in the fact that the sword is a bit bigger and heavier as well.

The best course of action is to go with an expert instructor who has years of experience and knows how to handle swords. They'll be able to guide you through all the different models and help you choose a style that suits your needs!

Samurai sword

Value of Katanas in Samurai Culture

I have always been interested in sword fighting, and I couldn't help but notice that the sword most often used by Samurai is a katana sword. I am curious as to what makes a katana so special. The Samurai were well-known warriors in feudal Japan, and their weapon of choice was a Katana - also known as "the sword born from the soul." 

Also Read: Sword Fighting Techniques


A samurai would use this powerful blade with precision, intelligence and dignity throughout his or her entire life - starting out with smaller training katanas before graduating to razor-sharp swords near the end of their careers. In the beginning, a training katana was simply a blade with a much thinner back edge, thinned down even more to create the lighter, easier to wield katana - but the real purpose of the blade was not to be used as a weapon.

Only the top warriors would be appointed into ranks and gain command of large armies. For this reason, Samurai were called upon to take up arms when necessary, whether for defense or attack. The Samurai's weapons of choice for war were generally two-handed swords called yari or wakizashi , also known as tachi . Tachi is Japanese for "sword," "blade" or "battle.