The japanese katana sword is an imposing weapon with a curved blade of up to 2 shaku (23.6 inches / 60 centimeters) long. The katana was the main sword of the samurai and as such a symbol of their prestige and honour. It was paired with the shorter wakizashi as a daisho (matched set). The katana reclaimed its status as a primary weapon following the Mongol invasions of Japan in the late 13th century CE. The katana’s long and sharp double-edged blade was more effective against the invaders’ light armour than their short and straight swords.
Swordsmiths use a complicated process called forging to make the blade. They start with a block of raw steel called Tamahagane and forge it into a shaped blade by repeatedly heating, hammering and folding the metal over itself. This produces thousands of layers in the steel and increases its strength, making it suitable for sword-making.
Once the blade is made, smiths decorate it with a variety of elements. Mekugi are wooden pegs that fix the handle to the tang of the sword and also serve as an aesthetic feature. Menuki are ornaments that decorate the handle, again as an aesthetic and traditional ornamental feature.
The katana’s blade has a distinctive curved shape that is known as Kissaki Fukura. It can be a rounded or squared Kissaki or have a yokote – a distinct line that separates the edge finish from the tip. The tip can be either a long (okissaki) or short (chukissaki). A ko-hi is an indentation on the side of the blade near the yokote that adds a degree of stiffness to the tip. Katana sword