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Katana (刀) is the Japanese backsword or longsword (大刀 daitō) of the type
specifically in use after the 1400s (following the use of the tachi), although in
Japanese this word serves generically as a catch-all word for sword. Katana
(pronounced [kah-tah-nah]) is the kun'yomi (Japanese reading) of the kanji 刀 ;
the on'yomi (Chinese reading) is tō. While the word has no separate plural form
in Japanese, it has been adopted as a loan word by the English language, where
it is commonly pluralised as katanas.
It refers to a specific type of curved, single-edged sword traditionally used by the
Japanese samurai. The weapon was typically paired with the wakizashi or shoto,
a similarly made model, but shorter sword both worn by the members of the buke
(bushi) warrior class, it could also be worn with the tantō, an even smaller
similarly shaped blade. The two weapons together were called the daisho which
literally means big-small, and represented the social power and personal honor
of the samurai (buke retainers to the daimyo). The long blade was used for open
combat, while the shorter blade was considered a side arm, and also more suited
for stabbing, close combat (such as indoors), and seppuku, a form of ritual
suicide. The scabbard for a katana is referred to as a saya, and the handguard
piece, often intricately designed as individual works of art especially in later years
of the Edo period, was called the tsuba. Other aspects of the koshirae
(mountings), such as the menuki (decorative grip swells), habaki (blade collar
and scabbard wedge), fuchi and kashira (handle collar and cap), kozuka (small
utility knife handle), kogai (decorative skewer-like implement), saya lacquer, and
tsuka-ito (professional handle wrap), received similar levels of artistry.
It is primarily used for cutting, although its curvature is generally gentle enough
to allow for effective thrusting as well. Though it is intended for and was
predominantly used with a two-handed grip, many extant historical Japanese
sword arts include at least one or two single-handed techniques. It is traditionally
worn edge up. While the practical arts for using the sword for its original purpose
are now somewhat obsolete, kenjutsu and iaijutsu have turned into gendai budo
— modern martial arts for a modern time. The art of drawing the katana and
attacking one's enemies is iaido (also known as battōjutsu/battodo), and kendo is
an art of fencing with a shinai (bamboo sword) protected by helmet and armour.
Old koryu sword schools do still exist (for example, Kashima Shinto-ryu, Kashima
Shin-ryu, and Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto-ryu, among others). Perhaps one of
the more famous types of Japanese fencing was "niten-ichi-ryu" or the use of
both the katana and wakizashi in tandem; a technique most famously used by
Miyamoto Musashi, though the extensive popularization of this technique in
anime, literature, and pop culture has skewed modern perspective on its
importance and prevalence.
specifically in use after the 1400s (following the use of the tachi), although in
Japanese this word serves generically as a catch-all word for sword. Katana
(pronounced [kah-tah-nah]) is the kun'yomi (Japanese reading) of the kanji 刀 ;
the on'yomi (Chinese reading) is tō. While the word has no separate plural form
in Japanese, it has been adopted as a loan word by the English language, where
it is commonly pluralised as katanas.
It refers to a specific type of curved, single-edged sword traditionally used by the
Japanese samurai. The weapon was typically paired with the wakizashi or shoto,
a similarly made model, but shorter sword both worn by the members of the buke
(bushi) warrior class, it could also be worn with the tantō, an even smaller
similarly shaped blade. The two weapons together were called the daisho which
literally means big-small, and represented the social power and personal honor
of the samurai (buke retainers to the daimyo). The long blade was used for open
combat, while the shorter blade was considered a side arm, and also more suited
for stabbing, close combat (such as indoors), and seppuku, a form of ritual
suicide. The scabbard for a katana is referred to as a saya, and the handguard
piece, often intricately designed as individual works of art especially in later years
of the Edo period, was called the tsuba. Other aspects of the koshirae
(mountings), such as the menuki (decorative grip swells), habaki (blade collar
and scabbard wedge), fuchi and kashira (handle collar and cap), kozuka (small
utility knife handle), kogai (decorative skewer-like implement), saya lacquer, and
tsuka-ito (professional handle wrap), received similar levels of artistry.
It is primarily used for cutting, although its curvature is generally gentle enough
to allow for effective thrusting as well. Though it is intended for and was
predominantly used with a two-handed grip, many extant historical Japanese
sword arts include at least one or two single-handed techniques. It is traditionally
worn edge up. While the practical arts for using the sword for its original purpose
are now somewhat obsolete, kenjutsu and iaijutsu have turned into gendai budo
— modern martial arts for a modern time. The art of drawing the katana and
attacking one's enemies is iaido (also known as battōjutsu/battodo), and kendo is
an art of fencing with a shinai (bamboo sword) protected by helmet and armour.
Old koryu sword schools do still exist (for example, Kashima Shinto-ryu, Kashima
Shin-ryu, and Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto-ryu, among others). Perhaps one of
the more famous types of Japanese fencing was "niten-ichi-ryu" or the use of
both the katana and wakizashi in tandem; a technique most famously used by
Miyamoto Musashi, though the extensive popularization of this technique in
anime, literature, and pop culture has skewed modern perspective on its
importance and prevalence.