Swords made in Japan using traditional techniques are collectively referred to as Katana. It is one of the most well-known and famous swords on the entire globe. Many of them are widely valued as works of art due to their gorgeous shape, which has symbolic importance in addition to their function as a weapon since ancient times.
These Japanese samurai swords were famed for their expertly crafted single, razor-sharp cutting edge and sturdy but flexible curved steel blades. The Samurai’s sword was allegedly his soul, according to legend. So, what should you know about Katanas?
The Forging Process
A traditional Katana is constructed of tamahagane, high-carbon steel produced by smelting iron sand, a kind of Japanese iron ore, in a massive furnace known as a Tatara.
The tempering process, during which the blade is quench-hardened, is the most crucial step in forging. It is divided into little pieces by the smith, who then layers the steel in layers based on the carbon concentration. Additionally, they melt down this in their forge and fold the steel several times to homogenize it.
The swordmakers formerly believed that the process transferred the blade’s spirit into the Katana at this juncture. The smith may occasionally give the sword a rough polish before sending it to a competent polisher for finishing (usually to a mirror finish). The sword was ready for fitting after polishing.
Today, carbon steel of various grades is mainly ideal for making Katanas. Swords of zinc and aluminum alloys that can withstand specific external stresses, on the other hand, are exclusively used for ornamentation or non-tameshigiri exercise.
A Katana’s resistance (how much it bends when struck), elasticity (how quickly it returns to its original shape), and durability (how long the blade lasts after hitting) are all top indicators of its quality.
The Wearing and Usage
Although Katanas are often ideal for cutting, stabbing was also a standard function for them. The tang length (the handle) had a significant role in this. Cutting could be done quickly if the Katana was compatible with both hands. When the Katana was designed to be wielded with one hand, the warriors utilized it for stabbing.
A right-handed guy often wore his Katana on his left side, under his belt. The sword’s blade was pointing upward in its scabbard, also known as a sheath. In this manner, the blade may be pulled, cutting the adversary in one motion.
An aggressive action indicating a desire to engage in combat was to draw the Katana a few inches out of its sheath. Conversely, the Samurai might pull the sword while the scabbard is held loosely in the left hand, and the scabbard is then dropped on the ground. This permits unrestricted mobility during combat.
The Japanese Tradition
In Japanese culture, the Katana was immensely significant. People believed that this blade contained its owner’s “soul.” A samurai could only own a Katana. A simple man might be instantly slain if seen with a Katana sword.
It was customary to put on, care for, and remove the Katana from its sheath. The Katana-Kake, a unique sword stand, was where Samurai stored their Katana. This stand supported both Katana and wakizashi.
The handle (known as the tang) had to be twisted to the left, and the blade had to be held with its tip upward, precisely like when warriors wore it. As a result, Katana was ready for use whenever it was necessary.
Martial arts like kenjutsu and iaijutsu helped enhance the skill of using a Katana. Iaido and kendo are two modern fighting systems that use this technique. The final one is the practice of swordplay with bamboo or wooden blades.
The Nitto Ryu school is known for teaching the most revered Katana handling methods. This technique demonstrated how to utilize a wakizashi and a Katana in combat simultaneously. Miyamoto Musashi was the most well-known Samurai to advance this technique.
The Return of Premium Katanas
After the quality of Katanas diminished due to the prevalence of firearms, this sharp sword made a comeback. Sword production and ownership were tightly prohibited in Japan after World War II by the American occupation army, which lasted until 1953.
The Society for the Preservation of the Japanese Sword was established due to a resurgence in interest in Katanas after the prohibition was repealed. This group was committed to reviving the antiquated processes and procedures needed to produce the desired tamahagane steel used in the genuine old-world blades.
A certified smith in modern Japan is required to make blades in a manner that is remarkably similar to that of millennia before. To guarantee that current Japanese Katanas are of the finest quality and are at least as good as those forged in the 16th century, tight restrictions on the production of blades are in place, courtesy of the Society for the Preservation of the Japanese Sword.
The Death of Katana Sword Making
Ironically, despite the Society for the Preservation of the Japanese Sword’s best efforts to restore the art of excellent sword forging in Japan, the craft is progressively dying out owing to the strict standards they place on aspiring swordsmiths.
It takes work to become a renowned swordsmith. It typically takes at least an additional five years to establish a strong reputation after finishing the five-year apprenticeship. The most excellent method for a smith to establish their reputation is to enter their best work in the yearly sword tournament.
Anyone performing well in the tournament can sell their swords for much more money. However, hundreds of smiths compete each year, but it’s thought that only those who place in the top 30 would be able to support themselves via their trade.
The government also limits the number of swords manufactured to ensure that each swordsmith is completely committed to the blades they craft. Maximum monthly production for each smith is two long swords or three short Katana swords for sale.
After analyzing the time it took for a renowned swordsmith to manufacture a perfect blade, the government decided on that figure, even though many smiths could certainly quadruple that output without a noticeably decrease in the quality of their work. Therefore, sword-making art is slowly fading away.
