![]() The guard not only protects your hands from being struck by your opponent’s sword but also stops your hands sliding up the sword and being cut on your own blade. It has a small square or circular guard (Tsuba), which is about the size of an adult’s palm. DesignĪ Katana sword consists of a curved, single edged blade that is about 23.5 – 31.5 inches in length. ![]() 1300 – 1550 AD by the Katana, a shorter, lighter and less curved sword which was more suited to combat on foot at close quarters. It was designed to be used when on horseback. Tachi were the first curved, single-bladed sword to become mainstream in Japan from approximately 700 to 1200 AD. Over the few hundred years, became less curved and shorter and by the early 1400s, short sword technology in the Katana had risen to prominence providing a light, responsive blade that still had almost the reach of a Tachi. A true short sword had yet to be designed. ![]() The samurai fell back to using a shorter dagger for this purpose (the Kogachi or Tanto). The traditional Tachi was just too long and unwieldy to be able to cope. In addition,the Mongols had arrived on ships and the samurai would climb aboard and attack the Mongol soldiers present.īoth situation triggered a need to be able to fight in the cramped surroundings at close quarters. The samurai had to adjust their traditional fighting style to be able to deal with a mongol infantry who fought together in small groups. In 12 Japan was invaded by Mongol armies. This fighting style would change largely as a result of foreign invaders. By combining different types of steel with different levels of hardness, the swordsmiths were able to produce a blade with a strong cutting edge with a soft core body, which not only made the sword lighter but also provided cushioning to deflect blows.Ĭombat during this time was largely done on horseback for which the Tachi was well suited, although the bow and arrow was the samurai’s preferred fighting weapon. Over the next few hundred years, the design was perfected. This design was one of the first Tachi and was more suited to Japanese swordsmanship which involved cutting and slashing motions. After much experimentation, he developed a thinner, curved sword with a single-edged blade. So the legend goes, the Japanese sword maker, Amakuni, in c.700 AD grew dispontant at the number of Chokuto that he made which were broken in battle. Japan encouraged Chinese craftsman to move to Japan to assist in the production of these swords and, in time, Japanese learned the techniques to make these swords themselves. They were based on Chinese and Korean designs and, in fact, were initially imported to Japan from mainland China. HistoryĮarly Japanese swords were known as Chokuto and were straight, double-edged bladed weapons designed for a form of combat involving stabbing and thrusting motions. There were a number of different types of sword and in this article we look at Katana vs Tachi and what the difference is between these two types of sword. However, it is perhaps the sword that embodies the culture and soul of the samurai warrior class. ![]() They were skilled in the use of the longbow, the Naginata – a long bladed pole weapon, and the Yari – a straight headed spear. Since a tachi was worn with the cutting edge down, and the katana was worn with the cutting edge up, the mei would be in opposite locations on the tang.The Samurai were the hereditary military nobility of Japan and were adept at a multitude of both armed and unarmed combat techniques. In general, the mei should be carved into the side of the nakago which would face outward when the sword was worn. With a few exceptions, katana and tachi can be distinguished from each other by the location of the signature on the tang. This type of sword is generally defined as the standard sized, moderately curved Japanese sword with a blade length greater than 60 cm. ![]() These swords are characterized by its distinctive appearance: a curved, single-edged blade with a circular or squared guard and long grip to accommodate two hands. Historically, katanas were one of the traditionally made swords that were used by the samurai of ancient and feudal Japan. Read each sword’s description to find the right Japanese sword for you. Here you’ll find a wide selection of hand made katanas for sword collectors and practitioners. The Katana was the weapon of the Samurai warrior and is also an important part of Japanese culture and history. ![]()
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