Different types of Japanese Samurai swords
All over the world, the Japanese sword topped any sword with its magnificent level of weaponry. It was considered godly, even, by some people because of its exceptional function and the art that was welded in the sword.
The Samurai swords existed way back before the Second World War; precisely during the year 987. There were already millions of samurai swords existing at that time. The swords back then were straight bladed with single edges and were modified only until the Japanese were faced with the growing military class and the alarming need to have better weaponry. Shortly, these swords were modified into a curved blade because they found out that it was much easier to draw and had a better cutting angle than a sword with a straight blade.
A Japanese smith named Amakuni Yasutsuna was believed to be the one responsible for inventing the samurai sword. The samurai swords were sacred to the samurais as they would name their swords thinking that their warrior spirit was residing in their swords. During practices, the samurai would use bokken (wooden sword) to prevent doing damage to their real sword. The value of a sword is dependent on the quality of the edge of the sword which is called a kissaki.
Types of Samurai swords
Katana (created during the 15th to 16th century) is the most commonly preferred sword. It was the most widely used weapon when close combat became rampant. With the blade over 24 inches in length, it was the longest type of sword that needed both hands in handling it. It was commonly used for close outdoor battle. With its blade facing up, it became the preferred choice of weapon because of its efficacy to use.
Tachi is the grandfather of the katana and has generally speaking a bigger sori (curve) and was worn with the edge of the blade facing down (where it’s the opposite with a katana). This is usually worn when mounted on a horse, hung on an Obi’s sageo (saya cord).
Wazikashi is a short sword that is tucked in the side of the arm of a Samurai. Its length is from 12-24 inches only that it is rarely removed by the samurai. It serves as an emergency sword in case something happens. It was usually used indoors because it was obviously easier to maneuver inside than a katana.
Daisho is the term given to the Katana and the Wazikashi when paired. The katana is the main sword because it is longer while the wazikashi is the backup sword.
Tanto can either be single edged or double edged. It is a Japanese knife or dagger that is used much like a wazikashi.
A Daito, on the other hand, is generally any Japanese sword that is over 24 inches long. Hence, a katana is also termed as a daito.
Double Edge Katana is the double edge sword that is rarely produced because of its impracticality.
Iaito also called a “mogito”. This sword is used for iaido practice. It’s like a katana but with its edge unsharpened that it makes a great sword for practice.
Odachi is a term given to any sword that is larger than a katana that is handled by two hands. A Nodachi is a term given to any sword that is larger than a katana that is handled by two hands. Both an Odachi sword and a Nodachi was almost the same, it was often interchanged. Due to its awkward appearance and size, it was not preferred by samurais.
O Katana which means “great” or “large” katana. These types of swords were a little longer than a normal sized katana but not longer than an odachi or a nodachi sword. This sword was made for samurais with higher ranks as it was hard to copy because of its length.
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