Home > Katana
The katana (刀) is the Japanese sabre or longsword (daito, 大刀), although many Japanese use this word generically as a catch-all word for sword. Katana (pronounced [ka-ta-na]) is the kunyomi (Japanese reading) of the kanji 刀; the onyomi (Chinese reading) is to. In Chinese itself, it is pronounced do.It refers to a specific type of curved, single-edged sword traditionally used by the Japanese samurai. The weapon was typically worn by members of the buke warrior class paired with the wakizashi, or short sword. The two weapons together were called the daisho, and represented the social power and personal honor of the samurai (buke retainers to the daimyo). The scabbard for a katana is referred to as a saya, and the handguard piece, intricately designed as individual works of art especially in later years of the Edo period, was called the tsuba.
It is primarily used for cutting (although thrusting is possible), and can be wielded one- or two-handed (the latter being the most common mode). It is worn with cutting-edge up. While the art of practically using the sword for its original purpose is now somewhat obsolete, kenjutsuKenjutsu ( Japanese: ) is a classical Japanese martial art, a koryu budo. There are many different schools, with the objective to teach efficient use of the Japanese sword in combat. The practice largely done in the form of kata, and also by actual cuttin has turned into gendai budo — modern martial arts for a modern time. The art of drawing the katana is iaidoIaido ( iaido , also sometimes called iaijutsu ( iaijutsu or battojutsu ( battojutsu is the art of drawing the katana, cutting down the opponent, flipping blood from the blade, and then re-sheathing the katana in one fluid movement. Modern day exponents t (also known as batto-jutsu or iaijutsu), and kendoKendo is the martial art of Japanese swordsmanship, developed in the 16th century to unify a large number of different techniques. Since 1975 the concept of Kendo has been stated as "to discipline the human character through the application of the princip is an art of fencing with a shinaiA shinai (Japanese:) is a practice sword used in Kendo. Construction of the Shinai Practice sword made of four bamboo slats take held together by two leather caps, tsuka-gawa (handle) and saki-gawa (tip), and a string tsuru . Placed under the saki-gawa is (bamboo sword) protected by helmet and armour, additionally, iaijutsu is an older style of battle field type fencing. Old koryuKoryu is a Japanese word that translates literally as old school or old tradition. It is used to refer to schools of martial arts that predate the Meiji restoration, a political event that precipitated Japan's modernization. While arts post dating this ev sword schools do still exist ( Kashima Shinto Ryu , Kashima Shin Ryu , Katori Shinto RyuTenshin Shoden Katori Shinto Ryu is one of the oldest extant martial arts in Japan, a true koryu. The Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto Ryu was founded in 1447 by Iizasa Ienao, who was living near Katori Shrine ( Sawara City, Chiba Prefecture) at the time.).
- See also: tsurugi, tachi, wakizashi, tsuba, saya, zanbatou, iaito, bokken, shinai, shinken.
1 The Sword as a Mystical Object
Although the samurai classically carried or had access to many weapons (a bow and spear, at the very least, in addition to their blade(s)), only one was considered the soul of the samurai: the katana (or tachi). The Japanese pinned an extraordinary amount of value on the sword. For much of Japan's history, only samurai were even allowed to carry swords, and a peasant carrying a sword was enough reason to kill the peasant and take the sword after a prohibition was issued in early Edo period.
Much of early Japanese culture revolved around swords. Elaborate methods for carrying, cleaning, storing, sharpening (or not sharpening), and wielding the sword evolved from era to era.
For example, a samurai entering someone's house might consider how to place his sheathed sword as he knelt. Positioning his sword for an easy draw implied suspicion or aggression; thus, whether he placed it on his right or left side, and whether the blade was placed curving away or towards him, was an important point of etiquette. As for the host, his longsword was generally stored under the wakizashi on a low rack, curving upwards; if it curved downwards, or was stored above the wakizashi, that meant the owner expected he might have to draw it quickly - a mark of suspicion to any guest.
However, most samurai turned to their swords as third resort: a bow first, a spear next, and only then the sword. After all, drawing your sword was like letting your soul blaze free or was most likely being down to the last straw. To have fought till nothing but a surrender is possible, is defined as Ken ore, Ya mo tsuki, lit. with swords broken and without an arrow, and this is also used as a proverb.
