katana

Also known as single-edged sword, samurai sword, Nihonto

A is a Japanese sword characterized by a curved, single-edged blade with a circular or squared guard and long grip to accommodate two hands. Developed later than the tachi, it was used by samurai in feudal Japan and worn with the edge facing upward. Since the Muromachi period, many old tachi were cut from the root and shortened, and the blade at the root was crushed and converted into a katana. The specific term for katana in Japan is and the term katana (刀) often refers to single-edged swords from around the world.

AI overview

A katana is a Japanese sword with a curved, single-edged blade, a circular or squared guard, and a long two-handed grip that was developed for use by samurai in feudal Japan. It matters as a significant part of Japanese martial and cultural history, and the term has become widely used to describe single-edged swords from various cultures around the world.

AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.

Key facts

Weapon.image: File:Katana - Motoshige.JPG
Weapon.caption: A katana modified from a tachi forged by Motoshige. Bizen Osafune school influenced by the Sōshū school. 14th century, Nanboku-chō period. Important Cultural Property. Tokyo National Museum
Weapon.type: Sword
Weapon.used_by: Samurai, Daimyo, Shogun, onna-musha, ninja, kunoichi, kenjutsuka, iaijutsuka, iaidoka, and battōjutsuka
Weapon.sheath_type: Lacquered wood, some are covered with fish skin, decorated with brass and copper.
Weapon.image_size: 350
Weapon.origin: Japan
Weapon.is_bladed: yes
Weapon.production_date: Nanboku-chō period (1336–1392) which corresponds to the early Muromachi period (1336–1573) to present
Weapon.part_length: approx.
Weapon.blade_type: Curved, single-edged
Weapon.hilt_type: Two-handed swept, with circular or squared guard