Katana (刀?)
Katana on display at Okayama Castle.
Type	Sword
Place of origin	Japan
Production history
Produced	Muromachi period (1392–1573) to present
Specifications
Blade length	approx. 60–73 cm (23.6–28.7 in)

The katana (刀^?) is a type of Japanese sword (日本刀, nihontō^?), and is often called a "samurai sword".^[1] In a precise sense, the term katana in Japanese is applied to any kind of single-edged Japanese sword, although, incorrectly or habitually, some Japanese and Western sword lovers define katana as the standard size moderately curved (as opposed to the older "tachi" style featuring more curvature) Japanese sword with a blade length of greater than 60 cm (23.6 inches).^[2]

The katana is characterized by its distinctive appearance: a curved, slender, single edged blade, circular or squared guard, and long grip to accommodate two hands.^[2] It has historically been associated with the samurai of feudal Japan, and has become renowned for its sharpness and cutting ability, to the point that its purported cutting capabilities have reached mythical status.

Contents 1 Etymology 2 History 3 Forging and construction 4 Usage 4.1 Combat 4.2 Storage and maintenance 5 Ownership and trade restrictions 5.1 United Kingdom 6 See also 6.1 Similar Japanese swords 7 Myths and fiction 8 Further reading 9 References

[edit] Etymology

Originally used as a general term for single-edged sword having a "sori" or curvature of the blade. While the "sugata" or form can take many shapes, including double edged, the term is now used incorrectly to describe nihontō that are 2 shaku (606 mm / 24 in) and longer, also known as "dai" or "daito" among Western sword enthusiasts.

This distinguishes them from the straight-bladed chokutō, which were imported from China and Korea via trading.^[3] The chokutō is speculated to have been the first "sugata" type the katana took on, being modeled after the imported swords. This emergence of the first nihontō took place the same time period as the beginning of Japanese feudalism and recognition of the daimyo or "great family" in the late ninth century.^[3]

Pronounced kah-ta-nah, the kun'yomi (Japanese reading) of the kanji 刀, the word has been adopted as a loanword from the Portuguese language.^[4] In Portuguese the designation (spelled catana) means "large knife".^[4] As Japanese does not have separate plural and singular forms, both "katanas" and "katana" are considered acceptable forms in English.^[5]

Another term, Daikatana (usually given as the kanji 大刀), is a pseudo-Japanese term meaning "large sword".^[6] The reading mistake comes from the different ways Japanese Kanji can be read, depending on their combination or not in a word. It has been used in some (English-language) fictional works to represent a kind of large katana (perhaps better known as an ōtachi); the video game Daikatana, for example used this pseudo-term as its title. The correct name of this type of weapon is tachi, and is different from ōtachi and nodachi.

[edit] History

The katana originated in the Muromachi period (1392–1573) as a result of changing battle conditions requiring faster response times.^[3] The katana facilitated this by being worn with the blade facing up, which allowed the samurai to draw and cut their enemy in a single motion.^[3] Previously, the curved sword of the samurai had been worn with the blade facing down.^[3][2]

The length of the katana's blade varied considerably during the course of its history. In the late 14th and early 15th centuries, katana blades tended to be between 70 and 73 cm (27.6 and 28.7 inches) in length. During the early 16th century, average length was much closer to 60 cm (23.6 inches), but late in the 16th century, it was again approximately 73 cm (28.7 in).

The katana was paired most often with the wakizashi or shōtō, a similarly made but shorter sword, both worn by the members of the warrior class. It could also be worn with the tantō, an even smaller similarly shaped knife. The katana and wakizashi when paired with each other were called the daishō and they represented the social power and personal honor of the samurai.^[3][2][7]

[edit] Forging and construction

The authentic Japanese sword is made from a specialized Japanese steel called "Tamahagane"^[8] which consist of combinations of hard, high carbon steel and tough, low carbon steel^[9]. There are advantages and setbacks to both types of steel. Having a lot of carbon within the steel allows the blade to hold a sharp edge but can be too brittle and may break in combat. Having a small amount of carbon will allow the steel to be more malleable, making it able to absorb impacts without breaking but becoming blunt in the process. The makers of a katana would use the best attributes of both kinds of steel by placing the high carbon steel in the front of the blade for a sharp edge while placing the low carbon steel in the back where it can absorb most of the impact.^[3]

The katana gets its gentle curve from quenching during forging, as it is straight prior to quenching. A process of differential tempering causes martensite to form predominantly in the edge of the blade rather than the back; as the spine has lower retained lattice strain, it cools and contracts, and the blade takes on a gently curved shape.

A coating of clay mixed with ashes and a small portion of rust is applied to every surface but the edge of the blade during hardening. This provides heat insulation so that only the blade's edge will be hardened with quenching. This process also creates the distinct swerving line down the center of the blade called the hamon which can only be seen after it is polished, a katana forger's signature.^[3]

The hardening of steel involves altering the microstructure or crystalline structure of that material through quenching it from a heat above 800 °C (1,472 °F) (bright red glow), ideally no higher than yellow hot. If cooled slowly, the material will break back down into iron and carbon and the molecular structure will return to its previous state. However, if cooled quickly, the steel's molecular structure is permanently altered. The reason for the formation of the curve in a properly hardened Japanese blade is that iron carbide, formed during heating and retained through quenching, has a lesser density than its root materials have separately.^[3]

After the blade is forged it is then sent to be polished. The polishing takes between one and three weeks. The polisher uses finer and finer grains of polishing stones until the blade has a mirror finish in a process called glazing.^[3] This makes the blade extremely sharp and reduces drag making it easier with which to cut. The blade curvature also adds to the cutting power.

[edit] Usage

The katana's unique design and in particular its sharpness necessitate quite a few specialized precautions to handle it. Failure to observe these precautions can easily lead to damage to the weapon or severe injury.

[edit] Combat

[edit] Storage and maintenance

If mishandled in its storage or maintenance, the katana may become irreparably damaged. It is extremely important that the blade remain well-oiled and polished, as the natural moisture residue from the hands of the user will rapidly cause the blade to rust if not cleaned off. Similarly, when stored for longer periods, it is important that the katana be inspected frequently and aired out if necessary in order to prevent rust or mold from forming (mold may feed off the salts in the oil used to polish the katana).^[10]

[edit] Ownership and trade restrictions

[edit] United Kingdom

As of April 2008, the British government added swords with a curved blade of 50 cm (20 in) or over in length ("and for the purposes of this sub-paragraph, 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.^[11] This ban was a response to reports that Samurai swords were used in more than 80 attacks and 4 killings over the 4 preceding years.^[12] Those who violate the ban would be jailed up to six months and charged a fine of £5,000. Martial arts practitioners, historical re-enactors and people currently possessing such swords may still own them. 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' ^[13]. This ban currently applies in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. As of September 2009, the Republic of Ireland introduced similar new laws restricting the ownership of swords and other weapons.

[edit] See also

• Tatara (furnace)
• Japanese swords

[edit] Similar Japanese swords

• Tachi/Nodachi/Ōdachi, often called by the pseudo-Japanese term daikatana and mistakenly labeled as a katana.
• Kodachi, often called by the pseudo-Japanese term chisakatana or kogatana and mistakenly labeled as a katana.
• Wakizashi, the short blade usually worn along with the katana.
• Ninjato, A shorter katana that is totally straight. The so-called "Ninja Sword".

[edit] Myths and fiction

[edit] Further reading

• Perrin, Noel (1979). Giving Up the Gun: Japan's Reversion to the Sword, 1543-1879. Boston: David R. Godine. 
• Robinson, H. Russell (1969). Japanese Arms and Armor. New York: Crown Publishers Inc.. 
• Sinclaire, Clive. Samurai: The Weapons and Spirit of the Japanese Warrior. 
• Takeuchi, S. Alexander (September, 2005). "Common Length of Tsuka on Nihon-to from a Socio-Historical Perspective". http://www2.una.edu/Takeuchi/DrT_Jpn_Culture_files/Nihon_to_files/tsuka_length.htm. Retrieved 2008-02-20. 
• Yumoto, John M (1958). The Samurai Sword: A Handbook. Boston: Tuttle Publishing. 

[edit] References

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