This process actually removes the impurities. Katana were traditionally made from Japanese steel using different folded layered steel with various carbon concentration. However, Tachi was the inspiration for the Katana. Katana is also known as uchigatana which describes a long sword to differentiate this sword from that of the Tachi. There are actually six different periods when the production of swords in Japan took place. This Katana sword has a long grip and can accommodate both hands of the Samurai. Samurai Katana is characterized by a single edged curved blade with either a circular or square guard. The Katana is a traditionally made Japanese sword used during the feudal period in Japan. There is a lot of rich history that surrounds the Katana sword. Increasingly the samurai nobility sought to have their katanas tailor made and this led to some of the most intricate and unique designs whereby even today an antique katana can often been traced back to the samurai that it belonged to and which battles he fought in.Add to cart Evolution of the Katana Swordĭate Produced: Muromachi period from 1392 to the present Katana Sword History However, the invention of steel led to a further development in the sword’s popularity. Many of the footsoldiers of the different armies would be equipped with katanas that were low quality and simple in design. The 15th century saw the start of the katana’s mass production. The katana was deemed such an important weapon of war that an entire fighting system (kendo) was designed to train samurai in its use. Rival swordsmiths would vye for the reputation of creating the greatest swords and many of these creations would grow steadily in quality and design. The official use of the Japanese sword by soldiers began in the Kamakura era (1185-1333) and steadily grew in popularity as a weapon of war (although there is documented use of swords from much earlier in Japanese history).īy the end of the Kamakura era, an entire industry had developed around the creation of the katana. The katana is seen not only as a symbol of the samurai warrior but a symbol of Japan as a whole. The final part of a samurai’s armor is perhaps the most important of all. The menpo chin guards were initially little more than chin straps but, as the design of samurai armor became ever more sophisticated, the menpo began to have designs of their own including the designs that covered the whole mouth and were carved into particularly fearsome facial designs. Kabuto helmets would often have a menpo addition which was a chin guard that could be attached by two hooks on the side of the kabuto helmet. Equally the symbolic act of taking off a kabuto meant to surrender. There is in fact an old Japanese saying ‘ Katte kabuto no o wo shimeyo’ which means to ‘ tighten the strings of your kabuto in victory’ (roughly equivalent to the English ‘do not rest on your laurels’). A samurai’s helmet would also often bear a crest on top to show his allegiance, and which lord he was fighting for.Īs in other cultures, the kabuto helmet was an incredibly important part of the samurai armor, both in physical and spiritual terms. In earlier Japanese history these helmets were typically made from leather later they evolved to iron with leather padding and even iron scales in order to deflect piercing by arrows or katana. The unique design of the Japanese warrior’s helmet makes him instantly recognizable as a samurai and is symbolic of the intricate skill and craftsmanship that went into designing each suit of armor. Perhaps the most distinctive and recognizable piece of the samurai’s armor is the helmet or kabuto.
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