The japanese katana is a long sword, traditionally used by the samurai of medieval Japan. It is a work of art in its own right and is a symbol revered and worshipped across the country. The development of the katana was driven by the need to balance three conflicting characteristics, namely strength, tenacity and sharp cutting edge. The blade is made of a low carbon steel that has been hardened through a process known as tameshigiri and tsukahaji, where the iron block is struck with a hammer and elongated by folding it back and forth several times.
The handle, called Ito, can be made of a variety of different materials such as leather, suede, or polyester, often carved with unique traditional patterns. A tsuba, or guard, is attached to the Ito and serves not only to protect the hand of the wielder but also to prevent the Ito from sliding forward while the sword is in use. A Fuchi, or ring, is a metal piece that reinforces the structure of the Katana and hides the tang underneath. The Ito is backed with Same, stingray skin or shark skin, which prevents it from sliding against the tang and offers additional aeration and shock absorption. Wooden pegs, or Mekugi, are used to fix the handle and are typically adorned with traditional ornaments.
A katana and wakizashi, or daisho, are a matched set that is considered the symbolic armament of the samurai. A katana should have an appropriate koshirae, or mounts, and a well-defined, accurate tip shape that can be either long (okissaki), short (chukissaki) or hooked backwards (ikuri-okissaki). Click here