Japanese Katana Swords

One of the main weapons of choice of feudal Japanese samurai was the katana sword. First developed during the Muromachi period (1392-1573), katana swords are still made to this day, but with less traditional materials. Antique katanas are usually made of several layers of tamahagane steel that are smelted together featuring a slightly curved blade.

The name "katana" is specific to long swords that have been signed "katana." These are not to be confused with the older tachi style swords. When worn, katanas have the cutting edge facing upward and the signature facing outward. Tachi style swords also have the signature facing outward, but the cutting edge of a tachi is worn facing down.

Quick Facts

• Katana swords, with the upward-facing blade, were ideal for samurai close-combat fights. They allowed samurais to draw a sword and strike an opponent in one single motion
• When researching an antique katana, look for patterns that appear on the steel blade. These patterns are a result of the folding of steel layers to form the katana, and the craftsmanship necessary to reveal these patterns is highly revered
• Most modern katanas do not feature tamahagane steel. Tamahagane steel is very high in carbon, and is currently possessed only by the most prestigious sword smiths in Japan