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Katana at Okayama Castle.

Katana (刀 or かたな, Katana^?) is a type of Japanese sword (nihontō). The term is sometimes incorrectly used as a generic name for Japanese swords. Image File history File links Question_book-3. ... Katana may refer to: Katana, a Japanese sword Katanas in fiction, a list of fictional katanas Katana (comics) A DC Comics fictional character Suzuki Katana, a motorcycle manufactured by Suzuki Sanyo Katana, a mobile phone manufactured by Sanyo A1 Katana, a model of the Diamond DA20 aircraft manufactured by Diamond... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1600x1200, 920 KB) 2006年、投稿者自身による撮影。日本刀 岡山城にて from ja wp (削除) (最新版) 2006å¹´2月8æ—¥ (æ°´) 13:49 . ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1600x1200, 920 KB) 2006年、投稿者自身による撮影。日本刀 岡山城にて from ja wp (削除) (最新版) 2006å¹´2月8æ—¥ (æ°´) 13:49 . ... Okayama Castle is a Castles in Japan. ... Katana of the 16th or 17th Century, with its saya. ... Nihonto 日本刀 The Japanese sword has been internationally known for its sharpness and beauty since feudal times. ...

Etymology

Originally used as a general term for single-edged sword, as opposed to tsurugi (剣 or つるぎ, tsurugi^?), which are double-edged swords, the term is now used specifically to describe nihontō that are around 70–90 cm long with a curved blade. This is different from Chokutō (直刀 or ちょくとう, Chokutō^?), which is a straight blade. Tsurugi (長剣) is a Japanese word used to refer to any type of broadsword, or various Chinese heroes weapons or Chinese swords (Jian). ... Tsurugi (長剣) is a Japanese word used to refer to any type of broadsword, or various Chinese heroes weapons or Chinese swords (Jian). ... For other uses, see Katana (disambiguation). ... This article is being considered for deletion in accordance with Wikipedias deletion policy. ... A chokutō The chokutō (直刀), often confused with the ninjatō, is a type of Japanese sword that dates back to pre-Heian times. ... A chokutō The chokutō (直刀), often confused with the ninjatō, is a type of Japanese sword that dates back to pre-Heian times. ...

Pronounced kah-tah-nah in the kun'yomi (Japanese reading) of the kanji 刀, the word has been adopted as a loanword by the English language. As Japanese does not have separate plural and singular forms, both "katanas" and "katana" are considered acceptable plural forms in English.^{[citation needed]} Strictly speaking, the word "katana" only refers to the longer variants of nihontō. Japanese writing Kanji Kana Hiragana Katakana Hentaigana Manyōgana Uses Furigana Okurigana Rōmaji   ) are the Chinese characters that are used in the modern Japanese logographic writing system along with hiragana (平仮名), katakana (片仮名), and the Arabic numerals. ... Japanese writing Kanji Kana Hiragana Katakana Hentaigana Manyōgana Uses Furigana Okurigana Rōmaji   ) are the Chinese characters that are used in the modern Japanese logographic writing system along with hiragana (平仮名), katakana (片仮名), and the Arabic numerals. ... A loanword (or loan word) is a word directly taken into one language from another with little or no translation. ... The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ... Katana of the 16th or 17th Century, with its saya. ...

History

Although the katana was a popular weapon in Medieval Japan, it was mostly used for practice and duelling, much like the rapier.^{[citation needed]} More common Japanese war swords consisted of the Wakizashi, the Daitō, or the Tachi.^{[citation needed]} The written history of Japan began with brief appearances in Chinese history texts from the first century AD. However, archaeological research indicates that people were living on the islands of Japan as early as the upper paleolithic period. ... For the UK Surface-to-air missile system, see Rapier missile. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Tachi forged by Bishu Osafune Sukesada, 12th year of the Eishô era, a day in February (1515, Muromachi). ...

The katana was mostly paired with the wakizashi or shōtō, a similarly made but smaller sword, both worn by the members of the warrior class. It could also be worn with the tantō, an even smaller similarly shaped blade. The two weapons together were called the daishō and represented the social power and personal honour of the samurai. The long blade was used for general combat, while the shorter blade was considered a side arm, more suited for stabbing, close quarters combat, decapitating beaten opponents when taking heads on the battlefield and seppuku (a form of ritual suicide).^{[citation needed]} This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Shōtō ) is a length designation for Japanese swords. ... Two Tantō tantō blade hidden in a fan-shaped mounting A Tantō (短刀) is a Japanese knife or dagger with a blade length of about 15 - 30 cm (6 - 12). There is a disputed saying about the tantō, wakizashi, and katana stating they are The Tantō differs from the others as... An Edo-era daisho on its stand. ... For other uses, see Honour (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Samurai (disambiguation). ... A side arm is a small personal weapon that is typically worn on the body in a holster in such a way to permit immediate access and use. ... Hara-kiri redirects here. ...

Ownership and trade in the United Kingdom

As of April 2008, the British government added swords with a curved blade of 50 centimetres or over in length (and for the purposes of this sub-paragraph, the length of the blade shall be the straight line distance from the top of the handle to the tip of the blade) to the Offensive Weapons Order.^[1] This ban was a response to reports that Samurai swords were used in more than 80 attacks and four killings over the four preceding years.^[2] Those who violate the ban would be jailed up to six months and charged a fine of £5,000. Martial arts practitioners, historical re-enactors and people currently possessing such swords may still own. This ban currently only applies in England & Wales. A logo of Her Majestys Government. ... In the government of the United Kingdom, Criminal Justice Acts is a generic name for those acts of parliament that shape law and order in the country. ... FINE was created in 1998 and is an informal association of the four main Fair Trade networks: F Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International (FLO) I International Fair Trade Association (IFAT) N Network of European Worldshops (NEWS!) and E European Fair Trade Association (EFTA) // The aim of FINE is to enable these... GBP redirects here. ... Hawaiian State Grappling Championships. ...

The Order also allowed for the ownership of traditional swords (as opposed to the cheap mass-produced swords at which the Order is aimed) by providing those accused of committing an offence under the Order a defence if they are able to "show that the weapon in question was made in Japan before 1954 or was made in Japan at any other time according to traditional methods of forging swords."

See also

• Japanese sword
• Katana construction
• Kenjutsu
• Samurai
• Tachi
• Wakizashi

Part of sword: Katana of the 16th or 17th Century, with its saya. ... Katana construction was the labour-intensive bladesmithing process developed in Japan for forging katana and other Japanese blades. ... Kenjutsu ) is the Japanese martial art specializing in the use of the Japanese sword (katana). ... For other uses, see Samurai (disambiguation). ... Tachi forged by Bishu Osafune Sukesada, 12th year of the Eishô era, a day in February (1515, Muromachi). ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

• Tsuba
• Katana Yenn

A typical tsuba The angle of the sabre in shodan no kamae is determined by the tsuba and the curvature of the blade (shinai are stright, but real weapons are curved) Wikimedia Commons has media related to: tsuba The tsuba (鍔) is a round guard at the end of the grip...

Further reading

• Kapp, Leon (1987). The Craft of the Japanese Sword. Kodansha Intl. Ltd.. 
• Perrin, Noel (1979). Giving Up the Gun: Japan's Reversion to the Sword, 1543-1879. Boston: David R. Godine. 
• Robinson, H. Russell (1969). Japanese Arms and Armor. New York: Crown Publishers Inc.. 
• Sinclaire, Clive. Samurai: The Weapons and Spirit of the Japanese Warrior. 
• Takeuchi, S. Alexander (September, 2005). Common Length of Tsuka on Nihon-to from a Socio-Historical Perspective. Retrieved on 2008-02-20.
• Yumoto, John M (1958). The Samurai Sword: A Handbook. Boston: Tuttle Publishing. 

2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 51st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...

References

Katana of the 16th or 17th Century, with its saya. ... A nagamaki The nagamaki (Japanese: é•·å·», literally long wrapping) is a Japanese weapon popular between the 12th and 14th centuries. ... A nodachi ) is a large two-handed Japanese sword. ... An ōdachi. ... It has been suggested that ninjaken be merged into this article or section. ... Shin gunto or shin-gunto is Japanese for neo-army sword or new army sword. ... Tachi forged by Bishu Osafune Sukesada, 12th year of the Eishô era, a day in February (1515, Muromachi). ... Tsurugi (長剣) is a Japanese word used to refer to any type of broadsword, or various Chinese heroes weapons or Chinese swords (Jian). ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... To make it easy, a chisakatana is simply a shortened katana. ... A kodachi ), literally translating into small or short tachi (sword), is a Japanese sword that is too short to be considered a short sword but too long to be a dagger. ... The Shikomizue (仕込み杖 Japanese prepared cane) is a Japanese concealed sword disguised as a cane or walking stick. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... There are very few or no other articles that link to this one. ... Two Tantō tantō blade hidden in a fan-shaped mounting A Tantō (短刀) is a Japanese knife or dagger with a blade length of about 15 - 30 cm (6 - 12). There is a disputed saying about the tantō, wakizashi, and katana stating they are The Tantō differs from the others as... A pair of bokken A bokken (, bok(u), wood, and ken, sword), is a wooden Japanese sword used for training, usually the size and shape of a katana, but sometimes shaped like other swords. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... A Shinai made from bamboo A shinai (Japanese: ) is a practice weapon used primarily in kendo and is used as if it were a sword. ... Daikatana (usually given as the kanji 大刀) is a pseudo-Japanese term meaning large sword. (In Japanese, 大刀 is actually read daitō, and is a less-used synonym for uchigatana. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... A samurai wielding a naginata Naginata (なぎなた, 薙刀) is a pole weapon that was traditionally used in Japan by members of the samurai class. ... several yari, including one hafted with a simple crossbar straight yari head with saya Jumonji yari head use of yari in mock combat Yari (槍) is the Japanese term for spear, or more specifically, the straight-headed spear. ...