Lacquered wood, some are covered with fish skin, decorated with brass and copper.[2][3]
Akatana (刀, かたな; lit. 'one-sided blade') is aJapanese sword characterized by a curved, single-edged blade with a circular or squared guard and long grip to accommodate two hands. Developed later than thetachi, it was used bysamurai in feudal Japan and worn with the edge facing upward. Since theMuromachi period, many oldtachi were cut from the root and shortened, and the blade at the root was crushed and converted into akatana.[4] The specific term forkatana in Japan isuchigatana (打刀, うちがたな; lit. 'striking sword') and the termkatana (刀) often refers to single-edged swords from around the world.[5]
The wordkatana first appears in Japanese in theNihon Shoki of 720. The term is a compound ofkata ("one side, one-sided") +na ("blade"),[6][7][8] in contrast to the double-sidedtsurugi.
Thekatana belongs to thenihontō family of swords, and is distinguished by a blade length (nagasa) of more than 2shaku, approximately 60 cm (24 in).[9]
Katana can also be known asdai ordaitō among Western sword enthusiasts, althoughdaitō is a generic name for anyJapanese long sword, literally meaning "big sword".[10]
AsJapanese does not have separate plural and singular forms, bothkatanas andkatana are considered acceptable forms in English.[11]
Pronounced[katana], thekun'yomi (Japanese reading) of thekanji 刀, originally meaning single edged blade (of any length) inChinese, the word has been adopted as aloanword by thePortuguese.[12] In Portuguese the designation (spelledcatana) means "large knife" ormachete.[12]
Mei (signature) andNakago (tang) of an Edo periodkatana
Thekatana is generally defined as the standard sized, moderately curved (as opposed to the oldertachi featuring more curvature) Japanesesword with a blade length greater than 60.6 cm (23.86 inches) (over 2 shaku).[13] It is characterized by its distinctive appearance: a curved, slender, single-edged blade with a circular or squared guard (tsuba) and long grip to accommodate two hands.[13]
With a few exceptions,katana andtachi can be distinguished from each other, if signed, by the location of the signature(mei) on the tang(nakago). In general, themei should be carved into the side of thenakago which would face outward when the sword was worn. Since atachi was worn with the cutting edge down, and thekatana was worn with the cutting edge up, themei would be in opposite locations on the tang.[14]
Western historians have said thatkatana were among the finest cutting weapons in world military history.[15][16] However, the main weapons on the battlefield in theSengoku period in the 16th century wereyumi (bow),yari (spear), andtanegashima (gun), andkatana andtachi were used only forclose combat. During this period, the tactics changed to a group battle byashigaru (foot soldiers) mobilized in large numbers, sonaginata andtachi became obsolete as weapons on the battlefield and were replaced byyari andkatana.[17][18][19] In the relatively peacefulEdo period,katana increased in importance as a weapon, and at the end of the Edo period,shishi (political activists) fought many battles usingkatana as their main weapon.Katana andtachi were often used as gifts betweendaimyo (feudal lord) and samurai, or as offerings to thekami enshrined inShinto shrines, and symbols of authority and spirituality of samurai.[18][20][19][17]
Katana originates fromsasuga (刺刀), a kind oftantō (short sword or knife) used by lower-ranking samurai who fought on foot in theKamakura period (1185–1333). Their main weapon was a longnaginata andsasuga was a spare weapon. In theNanboku-chō period (1336–1392) which corresponds to the earlyMuromachi period (1336–1573), long weapons such asōdachi were popular, and along with this,sasuga were gradually lengthened and finally becamekatana.[22][23] Also, there is a theory thatkoshigatana (腰刀), a kind oftantō which was equipped by high ranking samurai together withtachi, developed intokatana through the same historical background assasuga, and it is possible that both developed tokatana.[24] The oldestkatana in existence today is calledHishizukuri uchigatana, which was forged in the Nanbokuchō period, and was dedicated toKasuga Shrine later.[1]
The first use ofkatana as a word to describe a long sword that was different from atachi, occurs as early as the Kamakura period.[13] These references to "uchigatana" and "tsubagatana" seem to indicate a different style of sword, possibly a less costly sword for lower-ranking warriors. Starting around the year 1400, long swords signed with thekatana-stylemei were made. This was in response tosamurai wearing theirtachi in what is now called "katana style" (cutting edge up). Japanese swords are traditionally worn with themei facing away from the wearer. When atachi was worn in the style of akatana, with the cutting edge up, thetachi's signature would be facing the wrong way. The fact thatswordsmiths started signing swords with akatana signature shows that somesamurai of that time period had started wearing their swords in a different manner.[25][26]
By the 15th century, Japanese swords, includingkatana, had already gained international fame by being exported to China and Korea.[27] For example, Korea learned how to make Japanese swords by sending swordsmiths to Japan and inviting Japanese swordsmiths to Korea. According to the record of June 1, 1430 in theVeritable Records of the Joseon Dynasty, a Korean swordsmith who went to Japan and mastered the method of making Japanese swords presented a Japanese sword to the King of Korea and was rewarded for the excellent work which was no different from the swords made by the Japanese.[27][28]
Traditionally,yumi (bows) were the main weapon of war in Japan, andtachi andnaginata were used only for close combat. TheŌnin War in the late 15th century in the Muromachi period expanded into a large-scale domestic war, in which employed farmers calledashigaru were mobilized in large numbers. They fought on foot usingkatana shorter thantachi. In theSengoku period (period of warring states) in the late Muromachi period, the war became bigger andashigaru fought in a close formation usingyari (spears) lent to them. Furthermore, in the late 16th century,tanegashima (muskets) were introduced from Portugal, and Japanese swordsmiths mass-produced improved products, withashigaru fighting with leased guns. On the battlefield in Japan, guns and spears became main weapons in addition to bows. Due to the changes in fighting styles in these wars, thetachi andnaginata became obsolete among samurai, and thekatana, which was easy to carry, became the mainstream. The dazzling lookingtachi gradually became a symbol of the authority of high-ranking samurai.[22][20][19]
On the other hand,kenjutsu (swordsmanship) that makes use of the characteristics ofkatana was invented. The quicker draw of the sword was well suited to combat where victory depended heavily on short response times. (The practice and martial art for drawing the sword quickly and responding to a sudden attack was calledbattōjutsu, which is still kept alive through the teaching ofiaido.) Thekatana further facilitated this by being worn thrust through a belt-like sash (obi) with the sharpened edge facing up. Ideally, samurai could draw the sword and strike the enemy in a single motion. Previously, the curvedtachi had been worn with the edge of the blade facing down and suspended from a belt.[13][29]
From the 15th century, low-quality swords were mass-produced under the influence of the large-scale war. These swords, along with spears, were lent to recruited farmers calledashigaru and swords were exported. Such mass-produced swords are calledkazuuchimono, and swordsmiths of theBisen school andMino school produced them by division of labor.[22][30] The export ofkatana andtachi reached its peak during this period, from the late 15th century to early 16th century when at least 200,000 swords were shipped toMing dynasty China in official trade in an attempt to soak up the production of Japanese weapons and make it harder forpirates in the area to arm. In the Ming dynasty of China, Japanese swords and their tactics were studied to repel pirates, andwodao andmiaodao were developed based on Japanese swords.[2][31][32]
From this period, thetang (nakago) of many oldtachi were cut and shortened intokatana. This kind of remake is calledsuriage (磨上げ).[4] For example, many of thetachi thatMasamune forged during the Kamakura period were converted intokatana, so his only existing works arekatana andtantō.[33]
From around the 16th century, many Japanese swords were exported toThailand, where katana-style swords were made and prized for battle and art work, and some of them are in the collections of the Thai royal family.[34]
From the late Muromachi period (Sengoku period) to the earlyEdo period,samurai were sometimes equipped with akatana blade pointing downwards like atachi. This style of sword is calledhandachi, "halftachi". Inhandachi, both styles were often mixed, for example, fastening to theobi waskatana style, but metalworking of the scabbard wastachi style.[35]
In the Muromachi period, especially the Sengoku period, people such as farmers, townspeople, and monks could have a sword. However, in 1588Toyotomi Hideyoshi banned farmers from owning weapons and conducted asword hunt to forcibly remove swords from anyone identifying as a farmer.[24]
The length of thekatana blade varied considerably during the course of its history. In the late 14th and early 15th centuries,katana blades tended to have lengths between 70 and 73 centimetres (28 and 29 in). During the early 16th century, the average length dropped about 10 centimetres (3.9 in), approaching closer to 60 centimetres (24 in). By the late 16th century, the average length had increased again by about 13 centimetres (5.1 in), returning to approximately 73 centimetres (29 in).[29]
Antique Japanesedaishō, the traditional pairing of two Japanese swords which were the symbol of thesamurai, showing the traditional Japanese sword cases (koshirae) and the difference in size between thekatana (bottom) and the smallerwakizashi (top)
Swords forged after 1596 in theKeichō period of theAzuchi–Momoyama period are classified asshintō (New swords). Japanese swords fromshintō are different fromkotō in forging method and steel (tamahagane). This is thought to be because Bizen school, which was the largest swordsmith group of Japanese swords, was destroyed by a great flood in 1590, and the mainstream shifted to Mino school, and becauseToyotomi Hideyoshi virtually unified Japan, uniform steel began to be distributed throughout Japan. Thekotō swords, especially the Bizen school swords made in the Kamakura period, had amidare-utsuri like a white mist betweenhamon andshinogi, but in the swords fromshintō, it has almost disappeared. In addition, the whole body of the blade became whitish and hard. Almost no one was able to reproducemidare-utsurii until Kunihira Kawachi reproduced it in 2014.[36][37]
Sword fittings.Tsuba (top left) andfuchigashira (top right) made by Ishiguro Masayoshi in the 18th or 19th century.Kogai (middle) andkozuka (bottom) made by Yanagawa Naomasa in the 18th century, Edo period.Tokyo Fuji Art Museum.
As theSengoku period (period of warring states) ended and the Azuchi-Momoyama period to theEdo period started,katana-forging also developed into a highly intricate and well-respected art form. Lacqueredsaya (scabbards), ornate engraved fittings, silk handles and eleganttsuba (handguards) were popular amongsamurai in the Edo period, and eventually (especially when Japan was in peace time), katana became more cosmetic and ceremonial items than practical weapons.[38] The Umetada school led by Umetada Myoju who was considered to be the founder ofshinto led the improvement of the artistry of Japanese swords in this period. They were both swordsmiths and metalsmiths, and were famous for carving the blade, making metal accouterments such astsuba (handguard), remodeling fromtachi tokatana (suriage), and inscriptions inlaid with gold.[39]
During this period, theTokugawa shogunate required samurai to wearkatana and shorter swords in pairs. These short swords werewakizashi andtantō, andwakizashi were mainly selected. This set of two is called adaishō. Onlysamurai could wear thedaishō: it represented their social power and personalhonour.[13][29][40]Samurai could wear decorative sword mountings in their daily lives, but the Tokugawa shogunate regulated the formal sword thatsamurai wore when visiting a castle by regulating it as adaisho made of a black scabbard, a hilt wrapped with white ray skin and black string.[41] Japanese swords made in this period are classified asshintō.[42]
Daishō (Katana andWakizashi) forged by Minamoto no Kiyomaro. 1848, Late Edo period. (not to scale)Daishō for formal attire with black scabbard, hilt winding thread and white ray skin hilt, which were regulated by the Tokugawa Shogunate.Daishō owned byUesugi clan. Late Edo period.
In the late 18th century, swordsmith Suishinshi Masahide criticized that the presentkatana blades only emphasized decoration and had a problem with their toughness. He insisted that the bold and strongkotō blade from the Kamakura period to theNanboku-chō period was the ideal Japanese sword, and started a movement to restore the production method and apply it toKatana.Katana made after this is classified as ashinshintō.[42] One of the most popular swordsmiths in Japan today is Minamoto Kiyomaro who was active in thisshinshintō period. His popularity is due to his timeless exceptional skill, as he was nicknamed "Masamune inYotsuya" after his disastrous life. His works were traded at high prices and exhibitions were held at museums all over Japan from 2013 to 2014.[43][44][45]
The idea that the blade of a sword in the Kamakura period is the best has been continued until now, and as of the 21st century, 80% of Japanese swords designated asNational treasure in Japan were made in the Kamakura period, and 70% of them weretachi.[46][47]
The arrival ofMatthew Perry in 1853 and the subsequentConvention of Kanagawa caused chaos in Japanese society. Conflicts began to occur frequently between the forces ofsonnō jōi (尊王攘夷派), who wanted to overthrow the Tokugawa Shogunate and rule by the Emperor, and the forces ofsabaku (佐幕派), who wanted the Tokugawa Shogunate to continue. These political activists, called theshishi (志士), fought using a practicalkatana, called thekinnōtō (勤皇刀) or thebakumatsutō (幕末刀). Theirkatana were often longer than 90 cm (35.43 in) in blade length, less curved, and had a big and sharp point, which was advantageous for stabbing in indoor battles.[42]
Katana mountings decorated withmaki-e lacquer in the 1800s. Although the number of forged swords decreased in theMeiji period, many artistically excellent mountings were made.
During theMeiji period, thesamurai class was gradually disbanded, and the special privileges granted to them were taken away, including the right to carry swords in public. TheHaitōrei Edict in 1876 forbade the carrying of swords in public except for certain individuals, such as former samurai lords (daimyō), the military, and the police.[48] In 1889, the army adopted a French-style sword that could be wielded with one hand. The katana was deemed unfit for modern war because it needed two hands to be used properly.[49]
Skilled swordsmiths had trouble making a living during this period as Japan modernized its military, and many swordsmiths started making other items, such as farm equipment, tools, and cutlery. The craft of making swords was kept alive through the efforts of some individuals, notably Miyamoto Kanenori (宮本包則, 1830–1926) and Gassan Sadakazu (月山貞一, 1836–1918), who were appointedImperial Household Artist. The businessman Mitsumura Toshimo (光村利藻, 1877－1955) tried to preserve their skills by ordering swords and sword mountings from the swordsmiths and craftsmen. He was especially enthusiastic about collecting sword mountings, and he collected about 3,000 precious sword mountings from the end of the Edo period to the Meiji period. About 1,200 items from a part of his collection are now in theNezu Museum.[50][51][52]
Military action by Japan in China and Russia during the Meiji period helped revive interest in swords, but it was not until theShōwa period that swords were produced on a large scale again.[53] Japanese military swords produced between 1875 and 1945 are referred to asguntō (military swords).[54]
During the pre-World War II military buildup, and throughout the war, all Japanese officers were required to wear a sword. Traditionally made swords were produced during this period, but in order to supply such large numbers of swords, blacksmiths with little or no knowledge of traditional Japanese sword manufacture were also recruited. In addition, supplies of the Japanese steel (tamahagane) used for swordmaking were limited, so several other types of steel were also used. Quicker methods of forging were also used, such as the use ofpower hammers, andquenching the blade in oil, rather than hand forging and water. The non-traditionally made swords from this period are calledshōwatō, after theregnal name of the EmperorHirohito, and in 1937, the Japanese government started requiring the use of special stamps on thetang (nakago) to distinguish these swords from traditionally made swords. During this period of war, older antique swords were remounted for use in military mounts. Presently, in Japan,shōwatō are not considered to be "true" Japanese swords, and they can be confiscated. Outside Japan, however, they are collected as historical artifacts.[48][53][55]
Japanese girl practicingiaidō with a modern trainingkatana oriaitō. This sword was custom-made in Japan to suit the weight and size of the student. The blade is made of aluminum alloy and lacks a sharp edge for safety reasons.
Between 1945 and 1953, sword manufacture and sword-relatedmartial arts were banned in Japan. Many swords were confiscated and destroyed, and swordsmiths were not able to make a living. Since 1953, Japanese swordsmiths have been allowed to work, but with severe restrictions: swordsmiths must be licensed and serve a five-year apprenticeship, and only licensed swordsmiths are allowed to produce Japanese swords (nihonto), only two longswords per month are allowed to be produced by each swordsmith, and all swords must be registered with theJapanese Government.[56]
Outside Japan, some of the modernkatanas being produced by western swordsmiths use modern steel alloys, such asL6 and A2. These modern swords replicate the size and shape of the Japanesekatana and are used by martial artists foriaidō and even for cutting practice (tameshigiri).
Mass-produced swords includingiaitō andshinken in the shape ofkatana are available from many countries, though China dominates the market.[57] These types of swords are typically mass-produced and made with a wide variety of steels and methods.
According to the Parliamentary Association for the Preservation and Promotion of Japanese Swords, organized byJapanese Diet members, manykatana distributed around the world as of the 21st century are fake Japanese swords made in China. TheSankei Shimbun analyzed that this is because the Japanese government allowed swordsmiths to make only 24 Japanese swords per person per year in order to maintain the quality of Japanese swords.[58][59]
Many swordsmiths after the Edo period have tried to reproduce the sword of the Kamakura period which is considered as the best sword in the history of Japanese swords, but they have failed. Then, in 2014, Kunihira Kawachi succeeded in reproducing it and won the Masamune Prize, the highest honor as a swordsmith. No one could win the Masamune Prize unless he made an extraordinary achievement, and in the section oftachi andkatana, no one had won for 18 years before Kawauchi.[37]
Kiriha-zukuri,Moroha-zukuri,Kissaki-moroha-zukuri,Hira-zukuri andShinogi-zukuri (left to right). The one on the left ischokutō and the three in the middle aretantō.
Katana are distinguished by their type of blade:
Shinogi-Zukuri is the most common blade shape for Japanese katana that provides both speed and cutting power. It features a distinct yokote: a line or bevel that separates the finish of the main blade and the finish of the tip. Shinogi-zukuri was originally produced after the Heian period.
Shobu-Zukuri is a variation ofshinogi-zukuri without ayokote, the distinct angle between the long cutting edge and the point section. Instead, the edge curves smoothly and uninterrupted into the point.
Kissaki-Moroha-Zukuri is a katana blade shape with a distinctive curved and double-edged blade. One edge of the blade is shaped in normalkatana fashion while the tip is symmetrical and both edges of the blade are sharp.
In addition to these, there are various other types of blades with different shapes, such asOsoraku-zukuri,Unokubi-zukuri, andKammuri-otoshi-zukuri.
Named parts of akatanaCross sections of Japanese sword blade lamination methods
Typical features of Japanese swords represented bykatana andtachi are a three-dimensional cross-sectional shape of an elongated pentagonal to hexagonal blade calledshinogi-zukuri, a style in which the blade and thetang (nakago) are integrated and fixed to the hilt (tsuka) with a pin calledmekugi, and a gentle curve. When ashinogi-zukuri sword is viewed from the side, there is a ridge line of the thickest part of the blade calledshinogi between the cutting-edge side and the back side. Thisshinogi contributes to lightening and toughening of the blade and high cutting ability.[60]
Katana are traditionally made from a specialized Japanese steel calledtamahagane,[61] which is created from a traditional smelting process that results in several, layered steels with different carbon concentrations.[62] This process helps remove impurities and even out the carbon content of the steel. The age of the steel plays a role in the ability to remove impurities, with older steel having a higher oxygen concentration, being more easily stretched and rid of impurities during hammering, resulting in a stronger blade.[63] The smith begins by folding and welding pieces of the steel several times to work out most of the differences in the steel. The resulting block of steel is then drawn out to form a billet.
At this stage, it is only slightly curved or may have no curve at all. Thekatana's gentle curvature is attained by a process ofdifferential hardening or differential quenching: the smith coats the blade with several layers of a wet clay slurry, which is a special concoction unique to each sword maker, but generally composed of clay, water and any or none of ash, grinding stone powder, or rust. This process is calledtsuchioki. The edge of the blade is coated with a thinner layer than the sides and spine of the sword, heated, and then quenched in water (few sword makers use oil to quench the blade). The slurry causes only the blade's edge to be hardened and also causes the blade to curve due to the difference in densities of the micro-structures in the steel.[29] When steel with a carbon content of 0.7% is heated beyond 750 °C (1,380 °F), it enters theaustenite phase. When austenite is cooled very suddenly by quenching in water, the structure changes intomartensite, which is a very hard form of steel. When austenite is allowed to cool slowly, its structure changes into a mixture offerrite andpearlite which is softer than martensite.[64][65]
Example of ahamon. It is not the entire whitehadori area, but a fuzzy line within thehadori. It is difficult to photograph, and to appreciatehamon, the viewer must hold the sword in his hand and change the angle of the light on the blade as he views it.Difference betweenOshigata (top), an exact copy ofhamon, and the photograph (bottom).
This process also creates the line down the sides of the blade called thehamon, which is made distinct by polishing. Eachhamon and each smith's style ofhamon is distinct.[29]Hamon does not refer to the white area on the side of the blade. The white part is the part that is whitened by a polishing process calledhadori to make it easier to see thehamon, and the actualhamon is a fuzzy line within the white part. The actual line of thehamon can be seen by holding the sword in your hand and looking at it while changing the angle of the light shining on the blade.[66][67]
After the blade is forged, it is then sent to be polished. The polishing takes between one and three weeks. The polisher uses a series of successively finer grains of polishing stones in a process called glazing, until the blade has a mirror finish. However, the blunt edge of thekatana is often given a matte finish to emphasize thehamon.[29]
Japanese swords are generally made by a division of labor between six and eight craftsmen.Tosho (Toko,Katanakaji) is in charge of forging blades,togishi is in charge of polishing blades,kinkōshi (chokinshi) is in charge of making metal fittings,shiroganeshi is in charge of makinghabaki (blade collar),sayashi is in charge of making scabbards,nurishi is in charge of applying lacquer to scabbards,tsukamakishi is in charge of making hilts, andtsubashi is in charge of making tsuba (hand guards).Tosho use apprentice swordsmiths as assistants. Prior to the Muromachi period,tosho andkacchushi (armorer) used surplus metal to maketsuba, but from the Muromachi period onwards, specialized craftsmen began to maketsuba. Nowadays,kinkōshi sometimes also serves asshiroganeshi andtsubashi.[68][69]
Historically, katana have been regarded not only as weapons but also as works of art, especially for high-quality ones. For a long time, Japanese people have developed a unique appreciation method in which the blade is regarded as the core of their aesthetic evaluation rather than the sword mountings decorated with luxurious lacquer or metal works.[70][71]
It is said that there are three objects that are the most noteworthy when appreciating a blade. The first is the overall shape referred to assugata which is the curvature, length, width, tip, and shape of tang of the sword. The second is a fine pattern on the surface of the blade, which is referred to ashada orjigane. By repeatedly folding and forging the blade, fine patterns such as fingerprints, tree rings and bark are formed on its surface. The third ishamon. Hamon is a fuzzy line in the white pattern of the cutting edge produced by quenching and tempering. The object of appreciation is the shape of hamon and the crystal particles formed at the boundary of hamon. Depending on the size of the particles, they can be divided into two types, anie and anioi, which makes them look like stars or mist. The pattern,nie andnioi of thehamon are generally difficult to see, and the viewer usually holds the sword in his hand, changing the angle of the light as it hits the blade. In addition to these three objects, a swordsmith signature and a file pattern engraved on tang, and a carving inscribed on the blade, which is referred to ashorimono, are also the objects of appreciation.[66][67][70][71]
A Japanese sword authentication paper (origami) from 1702 that Hon'ami Kōchū certified atantō made by Yukimitsu in the 14th century as authentic
The Hon'ami clan, which was an authority of appraisal of Japanese swords, rated Japanese swords from these artistic points of view. In addition, experts of modern Japanese swords judge when and by which swordsmith school the sword was made from these artistic points of view.[70][71]
Generally, the blade and the sword mounting of Japanese swords are displayed separately in museums, and this tendency is remarkable in Japan. For example, the Nagoya Japanese Sword Museum "Nagoya Touken World", one of Japan's largest sword museums, posts separate videos of the blade and the sword mounting on its official website and YouTube.[72][73]
In Japan, Japanese swords are rated by authorities of each period, and some of the authority of the rating is still valid today.
In 1719,Tokugawa Yoshimune, the 8thshogun of theTokugawa shogunate, ordered Hon'ami Kōchū, who was an authority of sword appraisal, to record swords possessed bydaimyo all over Japan in books. In the completed "Kyōhō Meibutsu Chō" (享保名物帳) 249 precious swords were described, and additional 25 swords were described later. The list also includes 81 swords that had been destroyed in previous fires. The precious swords described in this book were called "Meibutsu" (名物) and the criteria for selection were artistic elements, origins and legends. The list of "Meibutsu" includes 59 swords made byMasamune, 34 by Awataguchi Yoshimitsu and 22 by Go Yoshihiro, and these three swordsmiths were considered special.Daimyo hid some swords for fear that they would be confiscated by the Tokugawa Shogunate, so even some precious swords were not listed in the book. For example,Daihannya Nagamitsu andYamatorige, which are now designated as National Treasures, were not listed.[46]
Yamada Asaemon V, who was the official sword cutting ability examiner and executioner of the Tokugawa shogunate, published a book "Kaiho Kenjaku" (懐宝剣尺) in 1797 in which he ranked the cutting ability of swords. The book lists 228 swordsmiths, whose forged swords are called "Wazamono" (業物) and the highest "Saijo Ō Wazamono" (最上大業物) has 12 selected. In the reprinting in 1805, one swordsmith was added to the highest grade, and in the major revised edition in 1830 "Kokon Kajibiko" (古今鍛冶備考), two swordsmiths were added to the highest grade, and in the end, 15 swordsmiths were ranked as the highest grade. Thekatana forged byNagasone Kotetsu, one of the top-rated swordsmith, became very popular at the time when the book was published, and many counterfeits were made. In these books, the three swordsmiths treated specially in "Kyōhō Meibutsu Chō" andMuramasa, who was famous at that time for forging swords with high cutting ability, were not mentioned. The reasons for this are considered to be that Yamada was afraid of challenging the authority of the shogun, that he could not use the precious sword possessed by the daimyo in the examination, and that he was considerate of the legend of Muramasa's curse.[46][74]
At present, by the Law for the Protection of Cultural Properties, important swords of high historical value are designated asImportant Cultural Properties (Jūyō Bunkazai, 重要文化財), and special swords among them are designated asNational Treasures (Kokuhō, 国宝). The swords designated as cultural properties based on the law of 1930, which was already abolished, have the rank next to Important Cultural Properties as Important Art Object (Jūyō Bijutsuhin, 重要美術品). In addition,the Society for Preservation of Japanese Art Swords, a public interest incorporated foundation, rates high-value swords in four grades, and the highest grade Special Important Sword (Tokubetsu Juyo Token, 特別重要刀剣) is considered to be equivalent to the value of Important Art Object. Although swords owned by theJapanese imperial family are not designated as National Treasures or Important Cultural Properties because they are outside the jurisdiction of the Law for the Protection of Cultural Properties, there are many swords of the National Treasure class, and they are called "Gyobutsu" (御物).[46][75]
Currently, there are several authoritative rating systems for swordsmiths. According to the rating approved by the Japanese government, from 1890 to 1947, two swordsmiths who were appointed asImperial Household Artist and after 1955, six swordsmiths who were designated asLiving National Treasure are regarded as the best swordsmiths. According to the rating approved by The Society for Preservation of Japanese Art Swords, a public interest incorporated foundation, 39 swordsmiths who were designated asMukansa (無鑑査) since 1958 are considered to be the highest ranking swordsmiths. The best sword forged by Japanese swordsmiths is awarded the most honorable Masamune prize by The Society for Preservation of Japanese Art Swords. Since 1961, eight swordsmiths have received the Masamune Prize, and among them, three swordsmiths,Masamine Sumitani,Akitsugu Amata and Toshihira Osumi, have received the prize three times each and Sadakazu Gassan II has received the prize two times. These four people were designated both Living National Treasures andMukansa.[76]
Katana forged by Nagasone Kotetsu. The letters inlaid with gold on thetang (nakago) indicated that Yamano Kauemon (山野加右衛門), the official executioner of theTokugawa shogunate and examiner of sword cutting performance, cut the four human torso overlapped.[77]
Akatana forged byMagoroku Kanemoto. (Saijo Ō Wazamono) Late Muromachi period. (top) Katana mounting, Early Edo period. (bottom)
Katana were used bysamurai both in the battlefield and for practicing several martial arts, and modern martial artists still use a variety ofkatana. Martial arts in which training withkatana is used includeaikidō,iaijutsu,battōjutsu,iaidō,kenjutsu,kendō,ninjutsu,Tenshin Shōden Katori Shintō-ryū andShinkendo.[78][79][80] However, for safety reasons, katana used for martial arts are usually blunt edgediaito or woodenbokken, to reduce the risk of injury. Sharp katana are only really used duringtameshigiri (blade testing), where a practitioner practices cutting a bamboo ortatami straw post.
If mishandled in its storage or maintenance, thekatana may become irreparably damaged. The blade should be stored horizontally in its sheath, curve down and edge facing upward to maintain the edge. It is extremely important that the blade remain well-oiled, powdered and polished, as the natural moisture residue from the hands of the user will rapidly cause the blade to rust if not cleaned off. The traditional oil used ischōji oil (99% mineral oil and 1% clove oil for fragrance). Similarly, when stored for longer periods, it is important that thekatana be inspected frequently and aired out if necessary in order to prevent rust ormold from forming (mold may feed off the salts in the oil used to polish the blade).[81]
Multiple sword world records were made with a katana and verified byGuinness World Records.Iaido masterIsao Machii set the record for "Most martial arts katana cuts to one mat (suegiri)",[82] "Fastest 1,000 martial arts sword cuts",[83] "Most sword cuts to straw mats in three minutes",[84] and "Fastest tennis ball (708km/h) cut by sword".[85] There are various records forTameshigiri. For example, the Greek Agisilaos Vesexidis set the record for most martial arts sword cuts in one minute (73) on 25 June 2016.[86]
Under theFirearms and Offensive Weapons Act 1990 (Offensive Weapons) (Amendment) Order 2009, katanas made post-1953 are illegal unless made by hand according to traditional methods.[87]
As of April 2008, theBritish government added swords with a curved blade of 50 cm (20 in) or over in length ("the length of the blade shall be the straight line distance from the top of the handle to the tip of the blade") to the Offensive Weapons Order.[88] This ban was a response to reports thatsamurai swords were used in more than 80 attacks and four killings over the preceding four years.[89] Those who violate the ban would be jailed up to six months and charged afine of£5,000.Martial arts practitioners,historical re-enactors and others may still own such swords. The sword can also be legal provided it was made in Japan before 1954, or was made using traditional sword making methods. It is also legal to buy if it can be classed as a "martial artist's weapon". This ban applies toEngland,Wales,Scotland andNorthern Ireland. This ban was amended in August 2008 to allow sale and ownership without licence of "traditional" hand-forgedkatana.[90]
Black lacqueredhanamarumonmaki-eraden daishō koshirae. Meiji period.
Mounting for akatana forged by Motoshige. late 16th or early 17th century, Azuchi–Momoyama orEdo period. Important Cultural Property. Tokyo National Museum.
Japanese katana showing ahorimono (blade carving), Metropolitan Museum of Art
Hilt ofkatana. Early Edo period.
The inscription (mei) on the tang (nakago) of akatana forged by Hizen tadayoshi I, Azuchi－Momoyama period. (top) Hilt ofkatana. Late Edo period. (bottom)
Koshirae (mountings) of an Edo perioddaishō, rayskin wrapped with silk
^Adrian Akmajian; Richard A. Demers; Ann K. Farmer; Robert M. Harnish (2001).Linguistics: An Introduction to Language and Communication. Massachusetts: The MIT Press. p. 624.ISBN9780262511230.
^abSebastião Rodolfo Dalgado; Anthony X. Soares (1988).Portuguese Vocables in Asiatic Languages: From the Portuguese Original of Monsignor Sebastiao Rodolfo Dalgado. South Asia Books. p. 520.ISBN978-81-206-0413-1.
^abcdeKanzan Sato (1983).The Japanese Sword: A Comprehensive Guide (Japanese arts Library). Japan: Kodansha International. p. 220.ISBN978-0-87011-562-2.
^Edward J. Drea .Japan's Imperial Army: Its Rise and Fall, 1853-1945, p. 74: "In 1889 the army adopted the French-style sword. Demands to return to a Japanese samurai sword were rejected after a five-year study concluded that the samurai sword was impractical for modern warfare because both hands were needed to wield it."
^ab備前長船刀剣博物館に関しての対談2 (in Japanese). Bizen Osafune touken Museum/Honshu-Shikoku Bridge Expressway Company. Archived fromthe original on 22 January 2022. Retrieved26 February 2024.
^abいろんな刃文を観てみる (in Japanese). The Nagoya Japanese Sword Museum "Nagoya Touken World". Archived fromthe original on 30 April 2021. Retrieved26 February 2024.
^刀装具の名工 Nagoya Japanese Sword Museum Nagoya Touken World
^Warner, Gordon; Donn F. Draeger (2005).Japanese Swordsmanship: Technique and Practice. Boston, Massachusetts: Weatherhill. pp. 110–131.ISBN978-0834802360.
^"Ban on imitation Samurai swords".BBC News. 12 December 2007. Retrieved29 December 2011.Calls for a ban came after a number of high-profile incidents in which cheap Samurai-style swords had been used as a weapon. The Home Office estimates there have been some 80 attacks in recent years involving Samurai-style blades, leading to at least five deaths.
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![Katana forged by Nagasone Kotetsu. The letters inlaid with gold on the tang (nakago) indicated that Yamano Kauemon (山野加右衛門), the official executioner of the Tokugawa shogunate and examiner of sword cutting performance, cut the four human torso overlapped.[77]](/mt/?noimg=&dark=on&url=http%3a%2f%2fen.wikipedia.org%2fwiki%2fFile%3a%25E5%2588%2580_%25E9%258A%2598_%25E9%2595%25B7%25E6%259B%25BD%25E7%25A5%25A2%25E8%2588%2588%25E9%2587%258C%25E5%2585%25A5%25E9%2581%2593%25E4%25B9%2595%25E5%25BE%25B9%2c_Katana_Nagasone_Kotetsu.jpg)
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