![]() The Art Of Sword FightingĪn entire martial art was created to learn how to appropriately use the samurai sword and it was dubbed Kenjutsu (or Kendo, which is its modern day, non-military incarnation). On the other hand, the katana was the head honcho on the battlefield, cutting through flesh like butter and chopping off heads, freezing the stunned faces of the enemy. The wakizashi was to be carried at all times and even kept under the pillow while the soldier sleeps, as it was used for close-quarter combat, emergencies, and ritual suicide. The set was called a Daisho, and if the samurai needed something extra up their sleeve, in case the opposition was daunting, the warrior would add a tanto blade to their collection. Think of it as an equivalent to a rifle and sidearm pistol. Masters of the killing stroke, each samurai had a collection of swords: a katana, the long sword, and a wakizashi, the short sword. And, when a weathered, old veteran warrior was on his deathbed, ready to cross over into the White Jade Pavilion of the afterlife, his katana was placed at his side, as if to protect him one last time. The katana was such a crucial part of a samurai’s life that when a young warrior was on the verge of entering this world, the sword he would use as a protector was brought into the delivery room as if to greet the young one. Their main weapon, the katana, was thought to be an extension of their soul. They were armor-clad, civil-minded savages who made it their goal to live and die with honor. The myth states Amakuni’s death is not known and he earned immortality from all the blood his blades absorbed.Īn elite member of the Japanese military, samurai were fierce warriors who followed the Bushido, which means “way of the warrior.” This code of ethics was a moral compass for samurai and consisted of several values, including courage, integrity, loyalty, compassion, and respect. Finding the best iron sand ore, he built the katana with a curve, making it optimal for slicing through the enemy. ![]() He noticed half of the samurai came back from the battlefield carrying broken swords, especially after battling Mongolian invaders, leading him to redesign the samurai sword so that it would be nearly indestructible. The military warriors guarding the society became the first samurai and the Japanese began to make their way toward creating the famous katana.Īlthough there isn’t solid evidence as to who improved the design of the samurai sword, transforming it from a straight sword to a curved, killing beauty, legend has it Amakuni was the swordsmith who forged the first single-edged longsword with a curvature in the Yamato Province around 700 AD. At the end of the 10th century, the Japanese severed cultural ties with the Chinese and went on to establish their own class divisions within their society. The first known katana sword was a straight, double-edged iron blade inspired by Chinese swords. And, just in case you become obsessed over them as we did, we have some recommendations to add to your blade collection.Īs we all know, perfection takes a bit of practice, which is why the first katana didn’t have the familiar curved silhouette. It’s unlike any other blade in existence, which is why we’d like to take a closer look and dive into its Bushido roots, influential design, iconic status, and pop culture fame. Looking back at the blade’s roots, the weapon was a loyal protector, leaving trails of blood with every fluid slash. But, what do you really know about the elegant weapon made to cut through a human being with one strike? The katana is a legendary sword with a history worthy of dissection and discussion. You’ve seen katanas plenty of times on the silver-screen and fought many imaginary battles with a plastic samurai sword in hand as a child. As the years went by, their katanas were made for swift, precise kills and became known as artistic masterpieces of death. The slender, razor-sharp sword is easily recognizable thanks to the popularity of the samurai, fierce warriors wrapped in menacing iron armor ready to die honorably on the battlefield. ![]() And, out of all the gleaming swords in history - from the saber to the broadsword - the katana of feudal Japan is by far the most iconic. Before firearms dominated warfare, the blade ruled the battlefield.
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