{"id":1402,"date":"2017-07-16T16:51:37","date_gmt":"2017-07-16T14:51:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/samuraischwert.kaufen\/?p=1402"},"modified":"2024-01-11T15:49:03","modified_gmt":"2024-01-11T14:49:03","slug":"swords-japan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/samuraischwert.kaufen\/en\/samuraischwert\/allgemein\/schwerter-japan\/","title":{"rendered":"10 types of Japanese swords and their impressive history"},"content":{"rendered":"

Japanese sword types Introduction<\/h2>\n

\nSamurai swords, usually called katana (\u5200 in Japanese), are commonly referred to as all Japanese curved long swords with a single-edged blade. In this article, we would like to outline different types of Japanese swords and roughly classify and differentiate between them in terms of their historical development.<\/p>\n

The length of the blade provides a clue to the correct name of the respective Japanese sword type, although there is an overlap between \"short long swords\" and \"long short swords\", which can have the same length.
\nUltimately, the mount (Koshirae) is decisive for the designation.<\/p>\n

Before we mention the corresponding names, the important basic information is that the expressions Katana\/Gatana\/To\/Chi all correspond to the Japanese character \u5200. Most names from the world of Japanese swords are made up of a suffix and this character, e.g. \u592a\u5200= Tachi= Ta Chi, which means big sword.\n<\/p>\n

Jokoto (\u53e4\u4ee3\u5200)<\/h2>\n

\nJokoto is an umbrella term for all types of Japanese swords from ancient times. These were the most common swords before curved and single-edged swords such as tachi and katana came into fashion.
\nSuch swords already existed in the Stone Age, with most examples dating back to the Bronze Age. The first bronze objects found in Japan date back to the 3rd century BC.
\nJokoto are usually straight swords that are mainly intended for stabbing.
\nTypical examples of jokoto are the sword types chokuto and tsurugi.
\nIt was long believed that the swords were imported exclusively from Korea and China. However, during excavations in Japan in the late 20th century, moulds for such swords were also found, which suggests that the Japanese were already making some types of Japanese swords themselves in ancient times.\n<\/p>\n

Chokuto (\u76f4\u5200)<\/h3>\n

\nThe chokuto is a straight sword that has been found in tombs from the fourth and fifth centuries in Japan. For example, in the famous tomb of Tenno Nintoku from the 5th century. These very early models were mostly imports from China<\/a>which found their way to Japan. They already have a single-edged blade and can therefore be regarded as the direct predecessor of the later samurai swords. Unfortunately, it is not known exactly when the production of this type of sword began in Japan. The first swords were a pure copy of Chinese swords from the same period. Over time, however, they developed into the later samurai swords in Japan.\n<\/p>\n

Tsurugi (\u5263)<\/h3>\n

\nIt probably originated in China and was used in Japan from the middle of the seventh century. This sword had a straight, double-edged blade. It therefore does not correspond to the shape of the later samurai swords and was not used in Japan for as long as in China. With the development of curved blades, this type of sword lost its importance in Japan.\n<\/p>\n

Tachi (\u592a\u5200)<\/h2>\n

\nAccording to legend, the blacksmith Amakuni forged the first sword of this type as early as the 8th century. During political changes in ancient Japan, the new class of samurai emerged at the beginning of the 10th century, who maintained their claim to power through warlike behaviour. The samurai chose single-edged swords with a curved blade as their main weapon. From then on, the legendary samurai swords continued to evolve. Samurai swords are divided into different sword eras: Koto Katana, Shinto Katana, Shin-Shinto Katana and Gendaito Katana. We may go into this point in more detail elsewhere. However, it is too extensive to deal with here.<\/p>\n

Most early samurai sword blades had a blade length of 120 cm or more and were tachi. Tachi refers to long, massive, curved Japanese swords. Tachi translates as \"large sword\". It was mainly used by horsemen and was designed in size and shape for fighting from horseback. It is characterised by the relatively large curvature of the blade and the curved handle. It is worn on the belt with the cutting edge pointing downwards.
\nAt the imperial court of Japan, the tachi was part of the prescribed ceremonial dress. It is considered the most noble design among the Japanese sword types.\n<\/p>\n

Uchigatana (\u6253\u5200)<\/h2>\n

\nThe uchigatana became established in the 14th century. The uchigatana is smaller than the tachi. It is therefore suitable for fighting in small spaces (e.g. in buildings). It was carried on the belt with the blade pointing upwards and could therefore be drawn much faster. In contrast to the tachi, the handle of the uchigatana is straight. Today, the term uchigatana is often used synonymously with the name katana.\n<\/p>\n

Katana (\u5200)<\/h2>\n

\nOver time, the blades of the original tachi became shorter and shorter for better handling. Another development was that the swords were worn on the belt with the cutting edge pointing upwards. These are the characteristics of the katana. Katana became common in the 14th century and especially in the peacetime period from the 17th century onwards. It is worn on the belt and tends to have a straight grip. Roughly speaking, the length is approx. 100 cm.
\nThe word katana is a general term for Japanese swords, as written in the introduction. Nevertheless, outside Japan it is mainly used for this one type of samurai sword.
\nWhile the previous Tachi sword was designed for riders, the Katana is optimised for fighting on the ground.
\nIt is the legendary primary weapon of the samurai. Today it is the most recognised type of sword among samurai swords.\n<\/p>\n

Wakizashi (\u8107\u5dee)<\/h2>\n

\nWakizashi is the name given to the slightly shorter samurai sword. It was created around the same time as the katana. It is a secondary weapon and is wielded with one hand, making it the direct descendant of the uchigatana.
\nThe length is roughly approx. 70 cm. The cutting edge points upwards when worn on the belt.
\nThis sword was particularly popular during the period of peace from the early 17th century and was carried by the samurai together with the katana. Other social classes carried other types of Japanese swords, such as the wakizashi as a single sword.<\/p>\n

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Modern produced Katana & Wakizashi in our online shop<\/h4>\n