The katana is the sword of the samurai, and it holds a special place in Japanese culture. The blade is long enough to be held in both hands, allowing the samurai to draw and strike with one fluid movement. The curved shape of the blade gives it a distinct aesthetic and allows the samurai to cut and thrust with precision.
The Heian period (7941191) was when Japan finally found its own identity, reworking it’s imported customs to create a unique style all it’s own. This was also when the art of sword making really took off. The blade’s tip could be long (okissaki), medium (chukissaki) or short (kookissaki). The hamon was also more complicated with patterns like gunome and midare being created. The sukashi hamon was a combination of both gunome and midare featuring a series of negative spaces or openings along the edge of the blade.
The forging of a katana is a delicate process, with each sword taking a great deal of time to produce. The smith must have patience, dexterity and a refined eye. In addition, the sword he is fashioning must be able to meet three conflicting requirements; the ability not to break or bend, hold a sharp edge and be beautiful. This is why the smiths of japanese swords spend so much time refining their craft, each sword becoming an expression of the smith’s singular devotion and vision. Visit site