The longest samurai sword ever forged in Japan is a sword of the Ôdachi type and dates from the middle Muromachi period. Translated from Japanese, Ôdachi means "large tachi". Tachi itself is translated as "great sword". It is therefore not surprising that the largest Japanese sword belongs to the Ôdachi genus.
Its length
The sword has a total length of an incredible 377 cm and is named after its smith, Norimitsu from Osafune: Bishu Osafune Norimitsu. He made it in August 1447 and the entire sword weighs an impressive 14.5 kg. Other dimensions are:
- Blade length (Nagasa): 226.7 cm
- Blade curvature (Sori): 5.0 cm
- Thickness: 2.34 cm
- Length of the Habaki (blade ferrule): 5.85 cm
- Fold line pattern (Hada): Itame
- Hardening line pattern (Hamon): Ko-Gunome, Choji with Tobiyaki and Kinsuji
The longest katana in the world, but also...
Due to its enormous length, the sword is considered the largest katana in the world. However, due to its high weight of 14.5 kg, it is probably also the heaviest katana in the world!
The blacksmith Norimitsu
Norimitsu was already a well-known blacksmith in his time. He began his training as a swordsmith at the Oui Bizen school in 1394 and continued and perfected the art of blacksmithing he had learnt there until his death.
The production method
It can be said with certainty that the sword is a masterpiece of blacksmithing. It was forged in the same way as traditional Japanese blades. Despite its enormous length, it was therefore forged in one piece instead of being made and assembled in several small parts.
Both the surface structure of the sword and its hardening line are genuine and of outstanding quality.
Where the sword is currently located
It is known to have been recently polished and given the name "Kibitsu maru" by a Shinto priest from Kibitsu-jinja.
It is now kept in the Kibitsu Shrine in Okayama.
The longest sword internationally
If you look beyond the borders of Japan for the longest sword, you will come across the sword made by Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad from the United Arab Emirates. At 14.93 metres long, it has held the official Guinness World Record as the longest sword in the world since 2011.
Sources:
The Soke, the sword and me: the traditional Japanese sword fighting arts Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu Iai-Jutsu and Komei Jyuka Iai-Jutsu in today's society by Erwin Steinhauser
http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/largest-sword-
