How the Japanese Katana Sword is Made

The japanese katana sword was developed as a response to the changing nature of battle and the need for faster response. The katana is usually thought to be a short sword, but it can also be long (okissaki) or medium (chukissaki). It may be curved or straight and it can hook backwards (ikuri-okissaki) or be straighter than that (ko-okissaki).

Once the blade has been forged and hardened, it is then tempered by heating it section by section and hammering it in order to create the distinctive shape that is associated with a katana. The smith's skill is required at this point, as the process of hammering can cause the blade to naturally curve in an erratic way, and it is necessary to control this. Other details, such as the ridge line (shinogi), another key feature of a katana are added at this stage.

After the forging and tempering is complete, the smith'so' shaves off any black taint from the surface of the sword, and then polishes it using various tools, such as a plane for shaving metal called 'Sen'. This reveals the 'hamon', and it is this that distinguishes a japanese sword from a western one.

Once the sword has been polished, it is then fixed to its handle using'mekugis', wooden pegs. A 'tsuba' or hand guard is then attached and this can also be a work of art in its own right, being designed by the clans and dynasties that used the katana. Finally the'scabbard' or'saya' is made to protect the blade, and this can also be a work of artistic design, being decorated with'munshi' or ornaments.Manga katana sword