One of the oldest known Japanese forms of sword dates from the Kofun era of the 3rd and 4th centuries. The style, called Kashima no tachi, was created at the Kashima Shrine. Before 987, examples of Japanese swords are straight chokuto or jokoto and others with unusual shapes. In the Heian period, 8th to 11th centuries, sword-making developed through techniques brought from Siberia and Hokkaido, territory of the Ainu people. The Ainu used warabite-to swords and these influenced the katana.

According to legend, the Japanese sword was invented by a smith named Amakuni Yasutsuna 700 AD, along with the folded steel process. In reality the folded steel process and single edge swords had been brought over from China and Korea through trade. Swords forged between 987 and 1597 are called koto, old swords and these are considered the pinnacle of Japanese swordcraft. Early models had uneven curves with the deepest part of the curve at the hilt. As eras changed the center of the curve tended to move up the blade.

Whetstone Cutlery Horned Demon Katana Sword, Tan

List Price: $99.99
Sale Price: $39.93

This is one of the most unique katanas ever sold. The poly resin handle has a skull with a horn with multiple eyeballs surrounding the skull. The sword has a high quality blade curved katana style.Katana Specs:Overall Length: 40 Inches Blade Thickness: 5/32 inch Blade Material: 440 STAINLESS STEEL curved & sharpened Handle Material: poly resin and hand painted Scabbard: Aluminum with high gloss black finish with a matching black cord wrapping...

Our version of the Demon Katana for sale has an overall length of 39 inches with a 28 inch hand polished stainless steel blade and is accompanied by a black sageo cord wrapped saya scabbard. The specially cast tsuka handle is an ivory and black colored demon embracing a crystal ball and the eyes are accented with an eerie red glow.