The Japanese Katana Sword

The katana was the sword of choice for Japan’s military nobility, the Samurai, from the Heian period (794 to 1185 AD) through the Edo period (1603-1868). Its longer grip allows it to be wielded with both hands, and is designed to draw and cut in one fluid movement. It became the weapon of choice because of its effectiveness in close-combat combat, where victory depended upon quick responses.

Swordsmiths fashioned the katana from tamahagane, a type of high-grade steel made in a traditional furnace called a tatara. To create tamahagane, smelters shovel iron-bearing river sand and charcoal into the mouth of the tatara, allowing it to reach temperatures exceeding 2,500 degF, reducing the sand into steel. The samurai cherished the quality of their katana, often spending a lifetime acquiring them, and each sword was considered an expression of a samurai’s devotion to his or her craft.

In order to fashion a katana, smiths must possess a rare combination of physical strength, patience and dexterity. The forging process, referred to as Moku-ha, is both an ancient art and an exacting science. It takes about three months to complete a single sword, and the cost can be tens of thousands of dollars.

After the hamon has been finished, the swordsmith polishes the blade and adds a Bo-Hi, a curved line to reduce the weight of the sword and improve its sound quality. The smith then drills Mekugi holes, usually two for a sword used for Iaido, to secure the Tsuka (handle grip). The Mekugi are made of wood and pass through the tang to fix the handle with the blade. The tsuka is wrapped in same (stingray skin) or silk for durability and aesthetic appeal.Mini katana for sale