Why do katanas not have a guard?

You need a large hand guard if your fighting style frequently involves parrying your opponent’s blade. The Japanese katana is a sharp but brittle sword, owing to the inferior quality of its native iron. Katanas would often break when clashing with another blade.

What is the guard on a samurai sword called?

tsuba
The tsuba (鍔, or 鐔) is usually a round (or occasionally squarish) guard at the end of the grip of bladed Japanese weapons, like the katana and its variations, tachi, wakizashi, tantō, naginata etc. They contribute to the balance of the weapon and to the protection of the hand.

Why were swords banned in Japan?

The first Haitōrei of 1870 prohibited farmers or merchants from wearing swords and dressing like samurai. This measure was in part an effort to restore public safety and order during the tumultuous period immediately after the Meiji Restoration and during the Boshin War.

What is the point of a Crossguard?

The crossguards were not only used to counter enemy attacks, but also to get a better grip on the sword. They were later seen in late Viking swords, and is a standard feature of the Norman sword of the 11th century and of the knightly arming sword throughout the high and late medieval period.

What are straight katanas called?

It’s called a chokuto, which means “straight sword.” Katana vary in curvature for many reasons, due to usage, period, fashion, and even plain old user preference. That’s it.

What is a Bo Hi for?

The hi or bo’hi is the groove in the blade located just under the spine. This groove has been misunderstood by many as does the fuller in the European sword. The “hi” like the fuller’s purpose is to lighten the blade while compromising it’s strength as little as possible. …

What is Hamon Katana?

The Hamon is recognized as the sharpened section of the blade and is a result of differential hardening. In a traditional Japanese katana the blades spine is coated thickly with a special clay and thinning out greatly before the edge. Artificial hamon’s are sometimes produced on mono-steel or through hardened blades.

When did katanas become illegal?

This extended right up till the Meiji Restoration and modernisation of Japan which started in 1868. By 1876 Samurai were banned from carrying swords in public. It was enacted by the Sword Abolishment Edict of 1876.

What is a tsuba in a Japanese sword?

Tsuba – Japanese Sword Hand Guard. One of the most important parts of the Katana has got to be the Tsuba. This Katana part protects the hand of the sword owner from sliding into the blade, helps to balance the sword and being used when drawing the sword from it’s saya.

What is Japanese swordsmithing and how is it made?

Japanese swordsmithing is the labour-intensive bladesmithing process developed in Japan for forging traditionally made bladed weapons (nihonto) including katana, wakizashi, tantō, yari, naginata, nagamaki, tachi, uchigatana, nodachi, ōdachi, kodachi, and ya (arrow).

What kind of steel is used to make samurai swords?

Steel production. The steel used is known as tamahagane (玉鋼:たまはがね), or “jewel steel” ( tama – ball or jewel, hagane – steel). Tamahagane is produced from iron sand, a source of iron ore, and mainly used to make Samurai swords, such as the katana, and some tools.

What material can I use for a katana handguard?

In our app, there are several kinds of material you can use for Katana handguard: iron, brass, copper or metal alloys. Sometimes a Tsuba from our collection can get out of stock, and needs to be made (Which might take a while, or not) we will inform you if that is the case, and you can either choose a new one or wait.