Sword types tend to describe mounting styles and smithy processes in construction rather than distinct classes of sword. Katana describe late period manufacture (extremely high quality), however may range from exceedingly curved to little or no curvature, as with Tachi. Handachi (my own preferred) have a katana like blade (late period construction, finer smithy-ship), mounted like a Tachi although worn blade upwards. For more, check out the Nihonto Bible at The Japanese Sword Index.Ī court sword worn across several periods Between 2 and 4 different hardnesses are used in each blade, depending on the style and preference of the smith. Multiple levels of hardness are used throughout the sword to provide the appropriate levels of hardness, flexibility and weighting necessary. This allows the swordsmith precise control over a tough, high quality steel that can be hard or flexible, depending on how it is worked. Nihonto are made of folded steel, where a hard and a soft metal are folded over each other, potentially producing hundreds of thousands of laminations. The creation of a sword should take at least a month, during which time the swordsmith is responsible for everything from smelting his own iron, purifying, folding and shaping the sword.
Two-stage tempering produces a blade with a hard edge and a flexible body, making it difficult to break, but strong enough to hold a razor edge and cut through tough substances. I'll just give you the reasons why Koto Nihonto (Old-Period Japanese Swords) are thought to be some of the best in the world. The peak of Nihonto manufacture is actually thought to be between 13, the last period when Japanese smiths used purely Japanese iron in their swords, and the height of the technique of tempering the blade. In time, Uchigatana has come to mean the "Koshirae" (Mount and furnishings) style that is most common. The word Katana is thought to have been derived from Uchigatana. The Tachi was too long and unweildy on foot, so shorter, less curved swords were made, and instead of being hung from the belt on hangers, these new swords, "Uchigatana" were worn thrust through the Obi, or belt. These are called "Tachi".Īround the 14th-15th Century, combat methods changed, and conflict happened more on foot than anything else. Typical Japanese combat was mounted at the time, so swords were long and very curved. It's a fairly long and drawn out topic, but I'll try to give the short version.Įarly Japanese blades were short and straight, sharp on both sides, modelled after Chinese blades of the time.Īround the 11th-12th Century, the Japanese discovered that a curved blade is easier to draw and provides a better cutting edge angle in combat.
All the answers given above are fairly accurate.Īs far as Nihonto (Japanese word for "Japanese Sword") history, you're on the right track. I cringed when I read the title, since there are a few people out there who have had some problems with the Ninja-to dispute. That was a very quick and efficient answer to that question.
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