| Of all the Japanese swords, the Samurai Sword is | | | | bladed swords. The main reason for the |
| considered the most deadly Japanese weaponry. | | | | transformation was that the samurais' realized |
| Samurai swords, known as 'nihonto' in Japanese, | | | | that a curved sword could be easily drawn from |
| were regarded as symbols of samurai warriors. | | | | the scabbard and provided a far more effective |
| Samurai swords have been widely regarded as | | | | cutting angle. |
| Japanese antique art. | | | | A typical samurai sword is made of Japanese |
| Samurai Swords are mainly of three types - the | | | | steel known as 'tamahagane.' The point of |
| Katana, the Wakizashi, and the Tanto. Katana, | | | | samurai sword is known as a Kissaki. It is the |
| mainly used for outdoor combat, is the longest | | | | hardest part of the sword to forge and polish. To |
| type of samurai sword and is over 24 inches in | | | | make a quality sword one would require an |
| length. Wakizashi, around a third shorter than the | | | | exceptionally expert artisan. The value of a |
| Katana, was used mainly for indoor activities due | | | | samurai sword is mainly determined by the quality |
| to its better maneuverability indoors. Tanto is a | | | | of the point. |
| small knife and is used similar like a Wakizashi. The | | | | If you are looking to buy a samurai sword then |
| Shogun samurai warriors usually carried two | | | | you need to consider several things. First is to |
| samurai swords - the Wakizashi and the Katana - | | | | check the type and quality of the blade. Choosing |
| with them. | | | | a full tang blade (that is the blade and the portion |
| The earlier samurai swords were actually | | | | under the handle is a single piece of steel) will be |
| straight-bladed, single-edged weapons imported | | | | an ideal option. The katana sword is the most |
| from China and Korea, known as 'chokuto.' During | | | | popular among martial art students as well as |
| the end of the 8th century, the curved blade | | | | collectors. |
| swords known as 'Tachi' replaced the straight | | | | |