What Makes a Katana Sword a Katana?

What are Katana Swords?   

 Over the next few blog posts I will explain most of what makes a Katana Sword a Katana.  

      

        

  Katana Swords are by and far the most sought after of the samurai swords today. The history of the katana is long, and has been debated for many years as to it's accuracy. There are mostly only general dates and times associated with the rise of katana swords as a weapon of the samurai warrior. There is one absolute fact however, and that is;  Katana Swords became the staple chioce of weapon for the samurai.

      

  The first use of the word “katana” to describe a long sword that was different than a tachi was found sometime in the 12^th century. These were references to uchigatana and tsubagatana and seemed to indicate a different style of sword. Very possibly a less costly sword meant for warriors of a lower caste, or rank. Sometime around the year 1400, long swords signed with the Katana signature began to be made. This was in response to Samurai wearing their swords in what is now called “the Katana Style” (cutting edge up). Until then Japanese swords were traditionally worn with the signature facing away from the wearer. When the sword was worn in the style of a Katana, cutting edge up, the tachi’s insignia was facing the wrong way. Swordsmiths started signing their swords with a katana signature, this showing that some samurai  swords of that time period had begun to be worn in a different manner.

To Be Continued......follow my blog for the rest of the story.

What's your opinion? What do you think it is that makes the katana the sword of choice?

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