The japanese katana sword was developed as a response to changing battle tactics that required quicker, more agile sword movements. In the beginning it was used primarily by mounted warriors and later was adopted by foot soldiers as well. Katanas were usually worn suspended from a waist belt (obi) but sometimes on a shoulder mount called a tachi.
In the early Edo period the katana blade took on a deeper curvature and often had a central ridge or ‘hamon’ that differentiated it from the more straight tachi blades. The hamon is the result of differential hardening treatments and can give clues as to the period, swordsmith, school or even region from which the sword originated.
It was during this time that swordsmiths perfected the forging technique known as ‘Shosu’ which created the legendary katana. This process sought to achieve three highly desirable qualities in a sword blade: not to break, not to bend and a razor sharp cutting edge. It was also during this time that smiths started using a lamination method that fused a harder steel jacket over a softer, more flexible core steel. This is what has come to be referred to as Tamahagane, the legitimate Japanese sword making process.
Katanas also incorporated mountings and ornaments on the blade and handle that served practical as well as aesthetic purposes. For instance, the tsuba or guard was usually adorned with engraved designs such as dedications or symbols of clans and dynasties while the menuki were ornaments that were placed on the tang to strengthen it and add weight. The tang of the blade was secured to the handle with the use of two wooden pegs known as mekugi. Mini katana for sale