THE GUIDE: HISTORY OF THE KATANA
THE ORIGINS AND HISTORY OF THE JAPANESE KATANA
The Japanese katana is the most popular and well-known sword in the world. Characterized by its curved single-edged blade and long handle, it helped shape Japan. With the katana, samurai were able to repel attacks from the Mongols and other enemies. But the history and origins of the katana have a long history, which we will explore in this article.
Kamakura period
According to Kanzan Sato, the first mention of the word "Katana" dates back to the Kamakura period (1185 to 1333). At the time, the word was used to describe a long sword with similar characteristics to the tachi, but with some nuances. The katana, for example, generally had a longer and more curved blade than its tachi counterpart. But most importantly, the katana was stronger and more powerful than the tachi.
The Mongol invasions
Historians believe that the Japanese invented the katana because they needed better weapons to fight off Mongol invasions. From 1274 to 1281, Mongol armies led by Kublai Khan sought to conquer the Japanese archipelago.
The Japanese people had seen their share of warfare in the years prior, but the Mongols proved to be a formidable opponent. In addition to using explosive bombs, Mongol armies were often well-equipped with thick leather armor. Initially, Japanese samurai warriors discovered that the blades of their tachi and other swords would chip when they came into contact with this armor. To overcome this obstacle, the Japanese began experimenting with new techniques, leading the way to the katana.
The arrival of the katana
Japanese swordsmen continued to refine the katana design during the Muromachi period (1337 to 1573). This included the use of differential heat treatment to create a strong edge and flexible spine, as well as iron with a higher carbon content. The end result was a superior sword that surpassed all other swords of the time.
Around 1400, Japanese swordsmen began adding the signature "katana" to swords. Historians believe this was done in response to a change in samurai culture: until then, samurai warriors had carried their swords with the edge down. The katana, on the other hand, was carried with the edge up.
The katana today
Production of the katana and other swords slowed after World War II. Japan had agreed to stop production of many of its weapons, including swords, which led to a significant decline in the number of katanas. Today, however, the katana is enjoying something of a renaissance, with companies in Japan and elsewhere producing this iconic sword.
