From the late Muromachi period (Sengoku period) to the early Edo period, samurai were sometimes equipped with a katana blade pointing downwards like a tachi. This style of sword is called handachi, "half tachi". In handachi, both styles were often mixed, for example, fastening to the obi was katana style, but metalworking of the scabbard was tachi style. [35] Sinclaire, Clive (1 November 2004). Samurai: The Weapons and Spirit of the Japanese Warrior. Lyons Press. p.60. ISBN 978-1-59228-720-8.

Warner, Gordon; Donn F. Draeger (2005). Japanese Swordsmanship: Technique and Practice. Boston, Massachusetts: Weatherhill. pp.110–131. ISBN 978-0834802360. Aerodynamic Katana Body. The Katana umbrella was designed by ex-samurai and kendo professionals to mimic the lightweight and aerodynamics of a katana blade. Defend Yourself From The Rain Like A Samurai! This Katana umbrella is the best way to help you combat any storm coming your way. Designed by ex-samurai and kendo warriors, it was hand-crafted to create an authentic katana handle! The katana is generally defined as the standard sized, moderately curved (as opposed to the older tachi featuring more curvature) Japanese sword with a blade length greater than 60.6cm (23.86inches) (over 2 shaku). [13] It is characterized by its distinctive appearance: a curved, slender, single-edged blade with a circular or squared guard ( tsuba) and long grip to accommodate two hands. [13] From around the 16th century, many Japanese swords were exported to Thailand, where katana-style swords were made and prized for battle and art work, and some of them are in the collections of the Thai royal family. [34] Daishō style handachi sword mounting. 16th–17th century, Azuchi–Momoyama or Edo period.By the 15th century, Japanese swords, including katana, had already gained international fame by being exported to China and Korea. [27] For example, Korea learned how to make Japanese swords by sending swordsmiths to Japan and inviting Japanese swordsmiths to Korea. According to the record of June 1, 1430 in the Veritable Records of the Joseon Dynasty, a Korean swordsmith who went to Japan and mastered the method of making Japanese swords presented a Japanese sword to the King of Korea and was rewarded for the excellent work which was no different from the swords made by the Japanese. [27] [28] Yamada Asaemon V, who was the official sword cutting ability examiner and executioner of the Tokugawa shogunate, published a book " Kaiho Kenjaku" (懐宝剣尺) in 1797 in which he ranked the cutting ability of swords. The book lists 228 swordsmiths, whose forged swords are called " Wazamono" (業物) and the highest " Saijo Ō Wazamono" (最上大業物) has 12 selected. In the reprinting in 1805, one swordsmith was added to the highest grade, and in the major revised edition in 1830 " Kokon Kajibiko" (古今鍛冶備考), two swordsmiths were added to the highest grade, and in the end, 15 swordsmiths were ranked as the highest grade. The katana forged by Nagasone Kotetsu, one of the top-rated swordsmith, became very popular at the time when the book was published, and many counterfeits were made. In these books, the three swordsmiths treated specially in " Kyōhō Meibutsu Chō" and Muramasa, who was famous at that time for forging swords with high cutting ability, were not mentioned. The reasons for this are considered to be that Yamada was afraid of challenging the authority of the shogun, that he could not use the precious sword possessed by the daimyo in the examination, and that he was considerate of the legend of Muramasa's curse. [46] [72] A katana forged by Magoroku Kanemoto. ( Saijo Ō Wazamono) Late Muromachi period. (top) Katana mounting, Early Edo period. (bottom) Adrian Akmajian; Richard A. Demers; Ann K. Farmer; Robert M. Harnish (2001). Linguistics: An Introduction to Language and Communication. Massachusetts: The MIT Press. p.624. ISBN 9780262511230. Anthony J. Bryant and Angus McBride (1994) Samurai 1550–1600. Osprey Publishing. p. 49. ISBN 1855323451

UPS Worldwide - For anywhere outside the UK, we can post the same day but delivery times are dependent on the destination. Approximate delivery times are as follows: Historically, katana have been regarded not only as weapons but also as works of art, especially for high-quality ones. For a long time, Japanese people have developed a unique appreciation method in which the blade is regarded as the core of their aesthetic evaluation rather than the sword mountings decorated with luxurious lacquer or metal works. [67] [68] The first use of katana as a word to describe a long sword that was different from a tachi, occurs as early as the Kamakura period. [13] These references to " uchigatana" and " tsubagatana" seem to indicate a different style of sword, possibly a less costly sword for lower-ranking warriors. Starting around the year 1400, long swords signed with the katana-style mei were made. This was in response to samurai wearing their tachi in what is now called " katana style" (cutting edge up). Japanese swords are traditionally worn with the mei facing away from the wearer. When a tachi was worn in the style of a katana, with the cutting edge up, the tachi's signature would be facing the wrong way. The fact that swordsmiths started signing swords with a katana signature shows that some samurai of that time period had started wearing their swords in a different manner. [25] [26]a b Sinclaire, Clive (1 November 2004). Samurai: The Weapons and Spirit of the Japanese Warrior. Lyons Press. pp.58–59. ISBN 978-1-59228-720-8. Typical features of Japanese swords represented by katana and tachi are a three-dimensional cross-sectional shape of an elongated pentagonal to hexagonal blade called shinogi-zukuri, a style in which the blade and the tang ( nakago) are integrated and fixed to the hilt ( tsuka) with a pin called mekugi, and a gentle curve. Most martial arts sword cuts in one minute (rice straw)". Guinness World Records. 25 June 2016. Archived from the original on 29 May 2019. Shobu-Zukuri is a variation of shinogi-zukuri without a yokote, the distinct angle between the long cutting edge and the point section. Instead, the edge curves smoothly and uninterrupted into the point.

The idea that the blade of a sword in the Kamakura period is the best has been continued until now, and as of the 21st century, 80% of Japanese swords designated as National treasure in Japan were made in the Kamakura period, and 70% of them were tachi. [46] [47] Kotō (Old swords) [ edit ] Masamune forges a katana with an assistant (ukiyo-e). A Sōshū school katana modified from a tachi forged by Masamune. As it was owned by Ishida Mitsunari, it was commonly called Ishida Masamune. Important Cultural Property. Tokyo National Museum A Sōshū school katana modified from a tachi, Kiriha Sadamune, forged by Sadamune, son of Masamune. 14th century, Kamakura period. Important Cultural Property. Tokyo National Museum Muramasa (勢州桑名住村正) from the Tokyo National MuseumOscar Ratti; Adele Westbrook (1991). Secrets of the Samurai: The Martial Arts of Feudal Japan. Tuttle Publishing. p.484. ISBN 978-0-8048-1684-7. Kokugo Dai Jiten, Revised Edition) (in Japanese), Tōkyō: Shogakukan, 刀 ( katana) entry available online here