Samurai sword-Soul of a Samurai

The samurai sword is a traditional Japanese sword and a symbol of the samurai. The samurai and the samurai sword are bound to each other and have influenced each other to the extent that they have become an export element of Japanese culture and have taken their place in the world of swords by virtue of their authentic heritage. So in ancient Japan, were samurai the only ones who could wear swords? Was the Japanese sword an alias for the samurai sword?

In fact, early Japanese swords did not have samurai limited attributes. As a cold weapon, the Japanese sword has undergone a long process of development from its emergence to its maturity. Broadly speaking, the history of the Japanese sword, in its development, can be divided into five periods: the jokoto period, the koto period, the shinto period, the shin-shinto period, and the gendaito period. The Japanese swords that we see in movies and games today are very different from their original appearance. This is mainly due to the fact that the purpose of the sword varied from era to era. During the Warring States period, the demand for swords swelled so much that samurai, commoners, and adult men alike wore swords, and almost everyone had a sword. The idea that the sword was bound to the samurai is related to the Sword Hunting Decree issued by Toyotomi Hideyoshi and a series of decrees during the Edo period restricting the use of weapons by commoners. Let's start with the Sword Hunting Order. After Toyotomi Hideyoshi's initial approval of Japan, he issued the "Sword Hunting Decree" in 1588 to collect all civilian weapons, and from then on, during the Edo period, the possession of Japanese swords in accordance with the relevant specifications became the privilege of the samurai class, and the Japanese sword was equated with the samurai sword.

what is a samurai sword called？

The katana is the most common of the samurai swords, which eschews ornamental features and emphasizes practical combat. Though in the beginning, katana was not very popular and was only used by low ranking samurai. However, as the katana was swifter to draw and easier to fight with, it soon began to gain popularity. During the Shogunate period, katana was worn by a large number of Shogunate samurai and Shogunate warriors.

Katana

By the end of the Muromachi Shogunate, samurai carried a katana for combat as well as a short weapon for indoor use in complex environments. This short weapon evolved into the wakizashi, which was shorter than the katana and could be used quickly with one hand, making it ideal for use by two-sworded warriors (katana in one hand, wakizashi in the other), and for cutting down the head of an enemy on the battlefield. When worn, it is placed in the arms along with the katana.

Wakizashi

The third weapon used by the samurai was the tanto, which was shorter than the wakizashi, more like a dagger in form, and generally used for harakiri. The samurai would need to remove the katana and wakizashi to enter the chamber when visiting someone of higher status than himself, but the tanto could remain on his person. Therefore, the tanto is considered more of a symbol of the samurai than any other sword.

Tanto

How to display samurai swords

The samurai had a rather strict etiquette program for treating samurai swords. This set of rules is so varied and complex that it can be described as downright harsh. For example, when placed in the home, the sword racks were arranged from top to bottom in order of length, with tanto, wakizashi, and katana (or tachi, but samurai who wore tachi were rare in the Edo period). When going out, the sword must be worn on the left side of the body to make it easier to draw.

How long is a samurai sword

Katana blade length is also more than 60 centimeters, with hilt length of 70-90 centimeters, but the arc is smaller, and the width of the blade is uniform, more flexible, inserted in the waist when the blade is facing up. 

The wakizashi is a type of Japanese sword that is shorter than the katana, usually less than 60 cm in blade length, and appeared during the Edo period (1603-1868). 

The tanto is a type of short Japanese sword, usually less than 30 cm in blade length, which first appeared in the 9th century. 

Samurai swords for sale

We offer you a wide range of real samurai swords by swordsmiths who have inherited the ancient art of Japanese sword forging, and you can also customize katana while purchasing with the professional guidance of xingyu sword.Buying samurai swords will surely give you a new perspective on your own philosophy - a belief that this store holds fast to.