| The Zotachi Katana Sword with scabbard is a | | | | The Japanese were among the first people to |
| sword made for a blind man. It is a straight edge | | | | master the art of fast movement over any |
| sword which is 40 ¼ inch long, carbon steel | | | | other development in the know world at that |
| blade. The handle and the scabbard are both | | | | time. Ninja's were feared by everyone who had |
| made from wood. | | | | ever heard anything about them, even by their |
| A katana sword is normally a single edged sword; | | | | own culture. This is still true even in today's |
| however, the term katana which sword collectors | | | | technological world. |
| today see in catalogs and on the internet, have | | | | The katana became popular during the Muromachi |
| given the true meaning of the katana sword as | | | | time approximately around 1392-1573, when |
| appearing to be long straight swords, this is not | | | | conditions on the battle field required much |
| correct. The word katana comes from the word | | | | quicker responses. Before this time katana's were |
| sorus which means a curve of the blade. | | | | worn in the traditional style like any other sword, |
| So that means that the true meaning has been | | | | with the edge facing downward, during this time |
| lost and the sword collectors should know that | | | | the warriors started facing the blades upward, so |
| there is a difference between the two types of | | | | that they could pull the sword and cut the enemy |
| katana's. The straight katana swords, which were | | | | in one movement. |
| called chokuto, meaning straight bladed, was | | | | The katana was usually paired with a shorter |
| introduced by the Chinese by way of the | | | | sword known as the wakizashi or more |
| Korean's. | | | | commonly the shoto. However, it sometimes was |
| This samurai sword has either a circular or a | | | | paired with a tanto, an even smaller knife. All could |
| square hand guard, and a long slender hand grip | | | | be worn by the warriors of the army. When the |
| which enables the user to use both hands if | | | | katana was paired with a wakizashi they were a |
| necessary. It has become very popular among | | | | representation of personal honor and the social |
| Japanese assassins as well as by sword collectors | | | | power of a samurai solder. Once they were |
| all around the world, because of its sharp cutting | | | | paired this way it was call the daisho, and was |
| ability, as well as its light weight. | | | | usually worn by officers in the army. |