shoney606's Journal

Japanese Swords
Also known as a nihonto, the Japanese sword is one of the traditional bladed weapons in Japan. Several varieties of these weapons exist. Today, one can see and purchase both original Japanese blades, as well as replicas. In fact, when produced today, some types require hundreds of swordsmiths. Although in modern times the Katana has become synonymous with the term "Japanese sword," it's actually only one of several varieties. Paul Chen Sword Besides being included in public displays, people also use them during yearly combat competitions. Known as "Masamune," he became the top swordsmith in the history of Japanese swords. Besides crafting quality Japanese swords himself, Masamune taught his craft to other swordsmiths, some of which became known as the "Ten Great Disciples of Masamune. "The first swords in Japan's written history were double-edged swords, which the country received from China Paul Chen Sword. Japan also received swords from Korea. Later, Japan began producing its own (straight) swords. The swords had low quality, and due to the climate in the region, they had a short lifespan. It wasn't until the middle of the Heian Period (794-1184) that sword making had become a mastered craft in Japan. One of the most noteworthy periods of Japanese samurai swords was the Kamakura Era (1184-1333) paul chen swordsmith. During this period, sword making grew in popularity and swordsmiths worked in a single place. Next, there was the Nanboku-cho period (1334-1393), which included a conflict between two emperors. The conflict lasted over five decades, significantly boosting the demand for swords. The Muromachi (1394-1595) period followed. While the era was initially peaceful, it also included the Onin War. Japan produced three main types of swords during this period. They're classified based on when they were manufactured during the era. Finally, the Edo (1596-1867) era produced Japanese swords of top-notch quality. This was greatly due to the increased availability of materials such as wood and steel. Several types of Japanese swords exist, based on factors such as their size, function, and production. Here are some of the most common varieties:Katana: Although the Katana wasn't the sole sword of the samurai, it has become an icon of feudal Japan. This sword's blade includes a single edge, which is typically curved. The Katana was popular with the samurai, starting in the 1400s. Many experts consider the length of the Katana sword to be the standard for all samurai swords. Distinguishing features of the Katana include its blade and guard. Tanto: While technically a sword, the Tanto is actually the size of a knife. It first appeared during the Heian period. Although swordsmiths first produced them during the Heian period, they became more refined during the Kamakura period. During this era, the swords developed into more attractive ones. Tsurugi: This is a doubled-edged Japanese sword. Currently, this sword isn't used commonly in Japan. Wakizashi: This type of sword resembles the Katana sword, though the Wakizashi is shorter. The samurai typically wore the Wakizashi sword along with the Katana. When they wore these two swords simultaneously, it was referred to as "daisho" (large and small).

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