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The katana() is a type of Japanese long sword or backsword, curved and a single edge, traditionally used by the Japanese samurai, sometimes known as samurai sword. The katana is a cutting sword, similar to a European sabre, (it may have influence the sabre), but with a long hilt enabling use with two hands. One influence was the Tachi (great sword), which was first used as on cutting and stabbing sword on horseback, enabling the rider to reach down to cut opponents attempting to get low on the ground to avoid the slash and proved to be a great battle sword to fight enemies on horseback .During the Kamakura period, noticed by foot soldiers for its strong blade and cutting power, so much that some blades cut down from the original Tachi, some due to battle damage others to create a purpose made shorter blade. Another influence was from China, a sword used around the 9th century by foot soldiers, the Chokutō ( This was a similar single edged straight weapon imported earlier around the 9th century. Blending the two together created the Katana which came in to widespread use during the Muromachi period, and the uneasy peace that followed. The Katana in use: Its curvature is generally gentle enough to allow for effective thrusting as well its devastating slashing ability. it was predominantly used with a two-handed tsuka(grip)but many extant historical Japanese sword arts include single-handed techniques use. Unlike the Tachi, which was carried edge down, it has been traditionally worn edge up for a quick draw, from the 16th century on. It was worn inserted in the sash with the design of the tsuba and other ornaments on view with that orientation in mind. The katana was typically paired with wakizashi and tanto. At home the katana was generally stored above the wakizashi on a rack when not in use. The curve upwards, ends down, blade up, in the manner it was worn, with the omote side showing (tsuka or handle pointing left). The parts of the swords: Katanas scabbards are called a saya, the handguard or rounded hilt is the tsuba, Other aspects of the koshirae(mountings), such as the menuki (decorative grip swells), habaki (blade collar and scabbard wedge), fuchi and kashira (handle collar and cap), kozuka (small utility knife handle), kogai (decorative skewer-like implement), saya lacquer, and tsuka-ito (professional handle wrap). Though early examples emphasised simple blades and iron tsuba, the gentrification of the swords created the fashion for more elaborate workmanship on the fittings and by the Edo period they were encrusted with detailed metalwork and designs that are difficult to duplicate today and we dedicate our work to do for you. Katana Culture: There are elaborate methods for cleaning, storing, sharpening, and making all of parts of the katana and other sub-swords, it became a sort of ritual as did many of their arts. There are very intricate rituals to adhere to to prevent misinterpreting intentions. The positioning of sword for an easy draw implied suspicion or aggression and samurai were wary and always on alert. For example, a samurai entering someones house might consider how to place his sheathed sword as he knelt, whether he placed it on his right or left side, and whether the blade was placed curving away or towards him. This was an important point of etiquette. Stepping out this formal movement could spell death and movements were always measured and methodic. The sword was considered the soul of the samurai it embodied this ethics and his ability to kill and defend his liege lord. In the later part of Japanese history, from the 16th century on, only samurai were allowed to carry swords. By the beginning of Edo period and solidification of the Samurai class, a peasant farmer or merchant were prohibited carrying swords and could be legally killed by a samurai if they were caught carrying one. Much of early Japanese culture revolved around the sword, samurai shunned jewellery or other items that were of little value, they paid for craftsmanship used on their swords, the blade itself the most important, embellishment usually secondary, it was part of their identity. Some swords had a soul or were possessed, some blades were gentle and others cried for blood. If somebody be forced to sell their swords they were [soulless" in their own eyes and those of other a samurai. Sword Terms Nakago: Tang of blade Mune-Machi: Notch in the back of a blade to stop the habaki. Ha-Machi: Edge notch where blade joins tang Mekugi-Aan: Tang Hole Mei: Signature Yasuri-Mei: File marks on tang Nakago: Tang of blade Mune-Machi: Notch in the back of a blade to stop the habaki. Ha-Machi: Edge notch where blade joins tang Mekugi-Aan: Tang Hole Mei: Signature Yasuri-Mei: File marks on tang Nagasa: Blade (from tip of kissaki to munemachi) Kissaki: The point of a blade Boshi: Shape of temper line at the kissaki (point) Yokote: Line between ji and kissaki Ji/Hiraji: sword surface between the shinogi and the hamon Hamon: Temper pattern along blade edge Shinogi: Ridges on each side of a blade Shinogi-Ji: Sword flat between the mune and shinogi Mune: Back ridge of sword blade Mono-Uchi: Portion of blade 4 or 5 inches below the point. Striking point Ha: Cutting edge of a sword Sori: Curve Hi/Bohi: Groove Koshirae: Sword mountings including Saya, tsuka and Toso/Tosogu. Toso/Tosogu: Sword-furniture, I.E.: Fittings, Fuchi-Kashira; Habaki, Seppa, Menuki and Tsuba Tsuba: Sword guard Fuchi-Kashira: set of hilt collar (fuchi) and butt cap (kashira). Menuki: Ornaments under handle wrapping to improve grip Habaki: Collar around blade above the tang to fit the blade securely into scabbard Seppa: Washers to fill out space provided for tsuba on blade Tsuka: Sword handle. Ito/Tsuka ito: Braid for wrapping handle Tsuka-maki: art of wrapping the handle of a sword. Mekugi: Bamboo peg or metal rivet holding the handle on a sword Same/Same-kawa: Patch of skin from belly of giant ray, used on sword handles and sometimes on scabbards Saya: Scabbard of sword. Sageo: Cord or braid attached to kurikata on side of scabbard Koiguchi: The mouth of the scabbard or its fitting Kurikata: Scabbard (saya) fitting for attaching the sageo Kojiri: Bottom end fitting on scabbard Shito-Dome: Small collars in the kurikata and/or kashira

Metal working foundries were in use in China going back thousands of years, discovering metallurgy independent of outside influence. Beginning to mastery the metallurgic arts in the mysterious first dynasty of the Shang, known mostly by the discovery of ancient ritual bronze artefacts. Beginning around 1600B.C., the Shang displayed great dexterity fashioning bronze vessels, ceremonial bells, axes daggers, all cast with intricate faces, (Taotie), mythological creatures in deep relief, prominently revealed on the surface. One of the most well known bronze swords known today is the Sword of Goujian, created by a master smith sometime around 771 to 403 BC, during the Spring and Autumn period and found In 1965 in near perfect condition. China continued to absorb new sword designs from abroad through the centuries. Focusing on mastering new metals, iron and steel forming longer blades, especially two designs. The Jian (), a fusion of a blade for war and for personal defence, known as the gentleman"s sword, an elegant, long, double edged weapon imbued with speed and liveliness. The second was the Dao (), like the European sabre, a single edged calvary type of curved blade influenced by early swords from the Shang Dynasty, adapted and enlarged as iron steel became available. The origins are unknown but likely adapted by enlarging kitchen knives and perhaps modifying pole arm blades. Unlike the Jian, which takes time to master thrusting techniques, the Dao`s chopping style of use as a sabre like blade is intuitive and natural. This could cut down on training time for troops leaving the Jian to the dedicated swordsman. A successful sword design, this blade carried on through many variations and adaptations during the centuries, remaining a beautiful and powerful cutting sword. 1, Warring States bronze swords – Zhan guo Jian Bronze Jianswords are already well developed by the earlier Warring States Period. The earliest laminated bronze Jian utilize bronze with higher tin content for cutting edges and lower tin content for the spine, resulting in a sword with harder edges that can retain a sharp edge while obtaining a more flexible spine to absorb shock. Copper sulphides were used as coating for anti-corrosion, a reason why pristine examples still exist today. The earliest iron and steel Jian begin to appear using most basic forging and folding techniques. 2. Qin dynasty Bronze Long Sword In the later stages of the Warring States Period Qin Dynasty bronze Jian blades became longer and the handle was extended enough for two-handed use. Chromium oxide as an anti-corrosion protective coating was used on the bronze on these blades and steel Jian/swordsof one meter or longer are made. 3, Han Dynasty Bronze and Steel Jian Increasingly iron steel began to be used in swords during this period. Differential heat-treating and forge-welding laminations were used while forging these blades. A higher carbon steel was used for the cutting edge and lower carbon steels for the core or sandwich plates, depending on the design. This became the standardized process for later Chinese blades for almost 2000 years. The introduction of ring pommels on bronze and steel Jian and Dao was at this period. A typical style is Huan Shou Dao(Ring pommel swords), but varied with the polyhedron Jian,octahedrons, hexahedron and tetrahedral types. It was also at this time Imperial Regulation introduced the use of white ray-skin on the handle-grips on the swords. 4. Tang Jian and Dao Swordmaking continued to progress in the Tan period, heralding the use of the earliest disc-shaped guards, displaced ring pommels to better protect the hand in the middleTang dynasty. Quality Chinese blades, forging techniques and skill were transmitted abroad. This included important sword smithing skills of forge-weldinglaminated construction, differential heat-treatment using clay, repeated forging and folding of sword blanks. These techniques enhanced the quality of the steel used in swords in Japan (tamahagane steel), ridged cross-sections consisting of two variants known to the Japanese as kiriha-zukuri and shinogi-zukuri), all owing to the the Middle Tang era. 5. YanLing Dao(goose-quill saber) Ming and Qing Dynasty The YanMao Dao or YanLing Dao, or "goose-quill saber", is a type of Dao made in large numbers as a standard military weapon from the late Ming through the end of the Qing Dynasty. It is similar to the earlier Zhibei Dao, is generally straight, with a curve appearing at the center of percussion near the blade tip. This allows for thrusting attacks and overall handling similar to that of the Jian, while still preserving much of the Dao`s strengths in cutting and slashing. This style sword originates from Yuan Dynasty of the Mongol Empire, it is the leading style sword in following the Ming and Qing Dynasty. 6, LiuYe Dao The LiuYe Dao, or "willow leaf saber" was commonly used as a military sidearm for both cavalry and infantry during the Ming and Qing dynasty. This weapon features a narrow, thick blade and a moderate curve along its length. Though still a fairly effective thrusting sword, the shape of the blade increased the cutting and slashing power. It evolved from the Yanling Dao, Liuye Dao and Yanling Dao and was the leading sword style in Qing Dynasty, so we call it the Qing Dao or QingYaoDao. 7, NiuWei Dao NiuWei Dao or oxtail Dao, is a type of late Qing Dynasty saber(Dao). It was primarily a civilian weapon as it was never issued to Imperial troops. The design incorporated a broad bladeso it is commonly referred to as a broadsword. 8,Jian The Jian has a long history in China going back to the first dynasties and appearing throughout 2,500 years of Chinese history. It exhibits a double-edge, is straight and the thickness varies depending on time period and use, it can be a heavier war sword or a light, elegant and nimble civilian weapon. In Chinese folklore, it is known as "The Gentleman of Weapons" and is considered one of the four major weapons, along with the Gun(staff),Qiang(spear), and theDao(sabre), Having no unified name, it was meant to mean a sword, sometimes referred to as Wushu Jian(martial arts sword), Bao Jian, Longquan Jian, Taiji Jian(tai chi swords) etc., the name reflecting the martial art using the Jian. 9, Da Dao/Chinese Sabre The Dadao () means literally[Big Knife". One of the varieties of Dao or Chinese saber, it is also known as the Chinese great sword. Based on an agricultural tool, Dadao have broad blades generally between two and three feet long. The hiltsdeveloped for use as a fighting sword, lengthening to up to a hand and a half hilt or longer for two-handed use,. The blade was generally weighted forward, balanced for chopping or slashing. In the past it was mass produced and provided to the Chinese Army during World War II, it emerged to be a simple but very practical sword.