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Katana
(From
Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)
A katana
(刀,
katana?) is a type of
Japanese sword
(nihontō),
and is often called a "samurai sword." The term katana may be applied
to any curved Japanese sword with a blade length of greater than 60 cm.[1]
The term is sometimes incorrectly used as a generic name for any kind
of Japanese sword.
The katana is characterized by its
distinctive appearance: a curved, slender, single edged blade, circular
or squared guard, and long grip to accommodate two hands. It has
historically been strongly associated with the samurai
of feudal Japan,
and has become renowned for its extraordinary sharpness and cutting
ability. Indeed, in modern popular culture, the purported cutting
capabilities of katanas have far exceeded their real life counterparts.
Etymology
Originally used as a general term for
single-edged sword, as opposed to
tsurugi,
which are double-edged swords, the term is now used specifically to
describe nihontō
that are around 70–90 cm
long with a curved blade.[citation needed]
This distinguishes them from chokutō,
which feature straight blades.
Pronounced kah-tah-nah,
the
kun'yomi
(Japanese reading) of the kanji
刀, the word has been adopted as a loanword
by the English language.
As Japanese
does not have separate plural and singular forms, both "katanas" and
"katana" are considered acceptable forms in English.[citation needed]
History
The katana originated in the Muromachi period
(1392–1573) as a result of changing battle conditions
requiring faster response times. The katana facilitated this by being
worn with the blade facing up, which allowed the samurai to draw and
cut their enemy in a single motion. Previously, the curved sword of the
samurai was worn with the blade facing down. The ability to draw and
cut in one motion also became increasingly useful in the daily life of
the samurai.[2]
The length of the katana's blade varied
considerably during the course of its history. In the late 14th and
early 15th centuries, katana blades tended to be between 70 and 73 cm
in length. During the early 16th century, average length was much
closer to 60 cm, but late in the 16th century, it was again
approximately 73 cm.[2]
The katana was paired most often with
the
wakizashi
or
shōtō,
a similarly made but shorted sword, both worn by the members of the
warrior class. It could also be worn with the
tantō,
an even smaller similarly shaped dagger.
The katana and wakizashi when paired with each other were called the
daishō
and they represented the social power and personal honour
of the samurai.
Forging and
construction
The legitimate Japanese sword is made
from
a specialised Japanese steel called "Tamahagane"[3].
The katana gets its gentle curve from quenching
during forging, as it is straight prior to quenching. A process of
differential tempering causes martensite
to form predominantly in the edge of the blade rather than the back; as
the spine has lower retained lattice strain, it cools and contracts,
and the blade takes on a gently curved shape.[4]
Usage
The katana's unique design and in
particular its sharpness necessitate quite a few specialized
precautions to handle it. Failure to observe these precautions can
easily lead to damage to the weapon or severe injury.
Combat
See also: Battōjutsu,
Iaidō,
Iaijutsu, and
Kenjutsu
Storage and
maintenance
If mishandled in its storage or
maintenance, the katana may become irreparably damaged. It is extremely
important that the blade remain well-oiled and polished, as the natural
moisture residue from the hands of the user will rapidly cause the
blade to rust if not cleaned off. When stored for longer periods, it is
likewise important that the katana be inspected frequently and aired
out if necessary in order to prevent rust or mold from forming (mold
may feed off the salts in the oil used to polish the katana).[5]
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