Blade of the Samurai - The Samurai Sword

When one thinks of Japan’s history, samurai swords almost always come to mind. These weapons, known as katana, have played a crucial role in the shaping of Japanese culture and are now honored as a part of Japanese tradition.

Samurai swords were first seen in the Muromachi period of Japan, and were created in response to the time’s changing warfare. For years after their conception, Japanese samurai swords have evolved from mere weapons to something much more. They became symbols of social power and authority, and represented bushido: which was to Japanese samurai what chivalry was to European knights.

To this day samurai swords are renowned for their durability and razor-sharp edges. Thes swords were forged from two different types of steel: high-carbon steel and low-carbon steel. High-carbon steel is hard and sharp, but brittle and easily broken in combat, while low-carbon steel is durable and could withstand many blows, but will become blunt and ineffectual after extended use. Though both types of steel have flaws individually, their amalgamation in the forging of a samurai sword brought together the best of both worlds. The blacksmith’s method of combining the two steels involved forging them into each other, usually with the low-carbon steel in the center, and the high-carbon steel at the edge. The resulting sword, when crafted by a skilled blacksmith, would be both: sturdy and effectively ready for use in many battles.

Because of their symbol in Japanese culture, they are often romanticized and serve as subject matter for countless poems, stories, and legends. As a result of such fame, many people, especially in western countries, have become interested in collecting beautifully crafted Japanese swords.

It is interesting that these swords might be more popular in the West currently than in Japan. Because of bans on owning swords in Japan, people often discard or give away these swords. This is unfortunate as a lot of history is lost when this occurs. There are some exceptions to this ban where through certification, these wonderful works of art can be classified as such and are legal to own for display purposes.

Despite the interest that many westerners have for samurai swords, many people do not know much about them. For example, while many people only think of the katana when they think of samurai swords, there are in fact many different types. These swords can range widely in size, length, blade type, and shape.

Blade of the Samurai - The Samurai Sword