katana
Japanese Name:
刀
Romaji Name:
katana
Description
↓↓
A katana is a traditional Japanese sword with a curved, slender, single-edged blade, a circular or squared guard, and a long handle for two-handed use. It is known for its sharpness and craftsmanship and was historically used by samurai warriors.
History
↓↓
The katana developed in Japan during the late Kamakura period (1185–1333). It evolved from earlier swords like the tachi, designed for mounted samurai, to a blade optimized for quick draw and cutting. Katanas became the symbol of the samurai class and were often paired with a shorter sword (wakizashi) to form the daishō set.
Beyond warfare, katanas have been revered for their artistry, spiritual significance, and role in Japanese culture. Today, they are treasured as historical artifacts, used in martial arts like kendo and iaido, and admired worldwide.