Katana
The katana isJapanese longsword (Daito), although many Japanese use this word generically ascatch all wordsword "katana" (pronounced [katana]) iskunyomi (Japanese reading) ofkanji 刀;onyomi (Chinese reading)"tou" (pronounced [to:]). It refers tospecific typecurved, single-edged sword traditionally used byJapanese samurai. The scabbard forkatanareferredassaya.
Itprimarily usedslashing,can be wielded one- or two-handed (the latter beingmost common mode). Itworncutting-edge up. Whileartpractically usingswordits original purposenow somewhat obsolete, kenjutsu has turned into gendai budo - modern martial arts formodern time. The artdrawingkatanaiaido,kendoan artfencing withshinai (bamboo sword) protected by helmetarmour. Old koryu sword schools do still exist (Kashima Shinto Ryu, Kashima Shin Ryu, Katori Shinto Ryu).
See also tsurugi, tachi, wakizashi, tsuba, saya.
Production methods
Japanese swordsother edged weapons were manufactured by an elaborate methodrepeatedly heating, foldinghammeringmetal. This practice was originated from usehighly impure metals, stemming fromlow temperature yielded insmelting at that timeplace. In ordercounter this, andhomogenizecarbon content ofblades (giving some blades characteristic folding patterns),folding was developed (for comparison see pattern welding),foundbe quite effective, though labour intensive. Contrarypopular belief, this does not resultsuper-strength ofblade.The distinctive curvature ofkatanapartly due todifferential heat treating itsubjected to. Unlike swords producedmany other locations, Japanese smiths did not hardenentire blade, but onlycutting edge. The hardening process will makeedge part ofblade contract less thanuntreated steel when cooling down, something that aidssmithestablishingcurvature ofblade. The combinationhard edgesoft back ofkatanaother Japanese bladeswhat cause thembe resilientyet retaingood cutting edge.
