The Japanese katana is one of the most coveted objects by collectors from all over the world. In the Rising Sun, master smiths abound and the prices of their artifacts vary in relation to the quality of the materials used, as well as to the aesthetic beauty. But how is a katana made and why are these objects linked to the mythical figure of the Samurai so much appreciated?
The characteristics of a Japanese katana
There katana it has a length between 60 and 70 centimeters and each component has a specific name. Among the main parts it is worth mentioning:
- the blade, which is the most important part of a katana;
- the guard, or the metal part located between the blade and the handle, which serves to protect the hands;
- the collar, able to prevent blood from sliding on the handle;
- the handle, almost always made of wood;
- the mekugi, a small wooden peg used to fix the blade;
- the scabbard, made of lacquered magnolia wood.
The details that make each katana unique
Although at first glance the katanas may all seem very similar to each other, the reality is different. There are thousands of parameters and characteristics that can make each sword different from the others. Among the most important factors it is worth mentioning the section of the blade, the curvature, the shape of the tang (Kakago), the nuances that the texture of the steel (hada) can assume, the shading of the temper line (Utsuri), the its irregularities (Nie), the shape of the Boshi (i.e. the shape that the hardening line assumes near the tip) and so on. The parameters listed above are used by experts to evaluate swords, date them, attribute them to a school or master smith and estimate their economic value.
The history of the katanas
According to many, the best katanas ever forged are those of the ancient period, made around 1300. Over time, many of the secrets kept by the master smiths of the time have been lost and only recently a part has been recovered. The katanas are divided as follows according to the period of production:
- Joko-To (645-980);
- Koto (980-1600), characterized by perfect blades;
- Shinto (1600-1867), light, short, flashy, but of inferior quality to the previous ones;
- ShinShinto (1868-1912). The craftsmen try to rediscover the secrets of the Koto swords to produce superior quality blades;
- Gendaito (1912-today), made especially for collectors;
- Gunto, produced for WWII army officers.
(cover image: Pakutaso)
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