As a cultural icon and symbol of the warrior, the japanese katana is an important part of Japan’s national heritage. Its forging is a delicate, precise process, steeped in tradition and refined over centuries. The making of a sword requires more than physical strength, it demands patience and dexterity as well as a keen eye for beauty. The art of swordsmithing is a ritualized act of devotion and respect for the spirit and soul of the sword.
A katana is a long single-edged blade with a circular or squared guard and a handle that can accommodate two hands. It was the sword of choice among samurai, the military nobility of feudal Japan from the Heian period (794 to 1185 AD) until the end of the Edo period (1603-1868). Its popularity grew as the nature of warfare changed from open field combat to more close-combat encounters. The katana’s curved blade and its ability to be drawn and struck in one fluid motion allowed it to be used as a weapon of honor and power.
Swordsmiths create a blade from a piece of raw steel called tamahagane by a process known as tsukamoto, or folding and forging. The metal is repeatedly heated, hammered and folded upon itself in order to distribute carbon evenly throughout the blade. This also strengthens and hardens the steel, giving it its distinctive wavy pattern called hamon.
Other important features of the sword are the tsuba (guard) and saya (scabbard). The tsuba can be engraved or decorated with a variety of designs. The scabbard, or saya, can be simple and plain or elaborately decorated with designs representing the clans or dynasties of the sword’s owner. Visit site