The Definitive Understanding of katana swords
Friday, May 27th, 2011All Japanese swords can be generally called nihonto. There are several different types of japanese swords. The most popular one in use by the samurai in the in the fifteenth century were the katana, which has a bent single edged blade. Depending on how the swords were made, their size and what their use was, determined the different types.
Long single edged and older blades were referred toas tachi while the double -edged one was referred to as tsurugi. From medium size in length to small dagger like japanese swords that were mounted on the ends of poles, if they were forged in a certain manner than they were considered nihonto. Unlike now when the measurement lengths of Japanese swords are done in shaku - estimated at one foot, it used to be in bit more than that in the old times.
Many collectors of weapons such as civil war rifles, battle axes and spears also collect japanese swords. Even today, there are only a few hundred genuine sword makers left as majority of today's versions are available as decorative pieces. The sheath of the sword is known as the saya in Japanese, and the hilt or grip were usually elaborate as if it were artwork to lend originality.
If you trace the origin of most japanese swords they came from schools in five different provinces of Japan. Each school was known for its own characteristic feature that it applied to its sword, such as sharpness, or design and were exclusive to that particular area. The curve in the nihonto blade progressed as the warfare changed in Japan, as there was more cavalry, men on horseback. The curved sword dealt far greater damage and was easier to handle from horseback than a straighter blade.
Anyone who has an interest in collecting old artifacts such as civil war rifles or Japanese swords, needs to do some background research so that you don't get ripped off by buying duplicates. Bear in mind that real blades are forged out of carbon steel and not the stainless steel we use to make cutlery. Authentic swords have a specific heat treatment, generating more strength and less brittleness; at the end of production, they must attain a full tang. The point of contact of handle and blade is called tang and it must be very strong so as to not break when the sword is swung.
Although there are no sword battles in present times, Japanese swords are still practiced with in martial arts. Keeping with the tradition of the samurai, the technique and strategies of using these weapons are still taught today. Only certain sectors of martial arts include weaponry in their teachings, since some are strictly hand to hand combat.
Japanese swords have a complex history full of exciting facts. Whether you are a collector of decorative or authentic swords, or are just simply curious, it is always very intriguing to take a look back into the history books, and see how our forefathers and ancestors lived and dealt with issues of their times.
If you are in the midst of considering chainmail, this article barely scrathes the surface, scoure the internet for more informataion.


