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 Loyalty Samurai Sword 40 Inches Sword

List Price: $37.99
Sale Price: $18.99

This beautiful piece is a must have for any collector. This sword is 40 inches overall with a black scabbard carved with japanese symbols meaning "Loyalty." This sword is displaywed with a black wood stand also carved with the japanese symbols meaning "Loyalty...

Last Samurai Japanese Sword Duty Loyalty w/ Free Stand

List Price: $0.00
Sale Price: $18.99

This sword is beautiful in the very traditional sense of the samurai. Carved into the scabbard of this sword in Chinese kanji are three of the samurai creeds: " Duty, Loyalty ", " Heroic Courage ", and " Honesty, Justice "...

"CHU, YU, GI" 41 1/4 KATANA W/STD.

List Price: $27.99
Sale Price: $21.99

Ã¢â'¬Å"Sword of Loyalty, Courage and Moralityin

Our version of the Samurai Bravery Sword for sale has an overall length of 42 inches with a 28 inch hand polished stainless steel blade accompanied with a matching sageo cord wrapped saya scabbard and has a metal cast tsuba handguard. The tsuka handle is finished in a traditional Japanese cotton ito wrap and is accented with a classic golden menuki handle decor.