The outstanding qualities of samurai swords are legendary. Indeed, technology-forged Japanese blades are incredibly sharp. According to the legends, they can cut both iron and a sheet of paper in the air. Yes, a blade sharpened in a razor will easily cut even rice paper in the air, but chopping iron with such a sword means immediately spoiling it. To cut iron, the sharpening of the sword must be done at a large angle (as on a chisel), otherwise, after the blow, the cutting edge will have to be corrected, removing the nicks on the blade.
With the phrase " japanese sword”, most will immediately think of a katana. Indeed, a katana is a Japanese sword, but besides it, there were still quite a few varieties. bladed weapons samurai.
Daisho - a pair of samurai swords
If you look deep into history, you will notice that the samurai carried two swords at the same time. One was long and was called daito (aka katana sword), the second was short, called seto (wakizashi). If a long Japanese sword was used in battle or in duels, then short sword served as a spare weapon when the katana broke. When fighting in a confined space, the wakizashi sword was also used.
When the samurai came to visit, he gave the katana to the servant at the entrance or left it on a special stand. In the event of a sudden danger, it was the short sword that could save the life of its owner, so a lot of time was devoted to the art of owning a short sword.
If the long sword was considered a privilege of the ruling samurai class and only they could wear it, then short swords were worn by wealthy merchants and artisans who tried to learn the art of swordsmanship from the samurai. It should be noted that such knowledge in medieval Japan was worth its weight in gold and was jealously guarded by clans. And if the master (for a huge price) agreed to show the technique, then he demonstrated it only once, after which, with a sense of accomplishment, he importantly took the reward.
Combat samurai sword - its parameters and varieties
The Japanese sword katana or daito had a length of 95 to 110 centimeters. The width of its blade was about three centimeters, with a blade thickness of 5-6 millimeters. The handle of the sword was wrapped with a silk cord or covered with shark skin to prevent slipping. The length of the katana handle was about three fists, which allowed them to work using a two-handed grip.
The Japanese seto or wakizashi sword is practically no different from a katana, except for the length. It is 50-70 centimeters. Naturally, the short swords of merchants and samurai differed significantly from each other in quality and finish. The short sword of the samurai, as a rule, was part of the daisho kit and was made in the same style as the katana. Even the tsuba of both swords was made in the same style.
Samurai swords were not limited to katana and wakizashi models. There were also such variants of this weapon:
- The kokatana is a variant sometimes used in place of the short sword in a daisho kit. This sword was distinguished by an almost straight blade; in cramped corridors, such a blade perfectly delivered stabbing blows ( legendary sword ninja may have originated from this type of samurai sword). The length of the kokatana was about 600 millimeters;
- Tachi is a Japanese sword common from the 10th to the 17th century. Tachi is a weapon older than the katana and was worn only by noble samurai. This sword was intended for equestrian combat. His long length and curvature contributed to the application of a powerful chopping blow. Over time, the combat value of the tati was lost, and this sword was used as a ceremonial or ceremonial weapon;
- Nogachi was a huge sword with a blade length of a meter or more. There were swords with a three-meter blade. Of course, such a monster weapon could not be controlled by one person. He was taken by several samurai and cut down by mounted troops. The most powerful warriors, who, as a rule, were the bodyguards of their master, were armed with standard nails;
- Tanto or short sword. Despite the fact that now tanto is considered a knife, its name clearly indicates that this is a type of sword. Most often, tanto was used to break through armor or finish off a wounded enemy.
The katana sword and its varieties were worn on the belt or behind the back (the longest blades). For fastening, a sageo silk cord was used, which could be used to bind the enemy or for other purposes (sageo ninja were especially inventive). If the sword was worn behind the back, then a special design scabbard was used for this.
Katana - strengths and weaknesses of this sword
There are many myths regarding the quality of samurai swords:
- Katana is made of steel, which is forged tens of thousands of times, while acquiring the qualities of real Damascus steel. In fact, the steel that was mined in Japan has never had outstanding characteristics. To give the necessary hardness, it had to be forged several thousand times. As a result of this, multi-layered blades were obtained, which had nothing to do with Damascus steels;
- The katana easily cuts through any material, be it flesh or iron. In fact, Japanese armor has never been particularly strong, so it was not difficult to cut it;
- A katana blade could easily cut through a European sword. This situation is absurd in itself. The European sword was intended for breaking through heavy iron armor, and the katana for precise strikes. If European knights could block blows with swords, samurai evaded blows, since one single blow to the sword could chip the cutting edge of the sword. The sword fighting technique of the samurai was fundamentally different from the battle of the knights.
Most likely, the myth about the quality of Japanese swords came from the fact that the katana easily cut through the light swords of Europeans, who no longer had heavy swords in this era.
You can often hear the opinion that a katana can both cut and deliver effective stabbing blows. In fact, stabbing with a katana is quite inconvenient. Its shape emphasizes that its main purpose is felling. Of course, there are samurai swords that can cut iron, but these are single copies. If we compare them with total European swords capable of the same feat, then the comparison will turn out not in favor of the katana.
The weaknesses of the samurai sword blade were as follows:
- Since the katana is not designed for swordsmanship, its main weakness is its fragility;
- Possessing great hardness, the katana blade can easily break from a blow to the plane of the blade, so in battle the samurai carefully took care of their weapons, which could cost the annual income of a large village;
- By the way, the katana blade could be broken by hitting its flat side with nunchucks.
What are the parts of a samurai sword?
Any samurai sword, regardless of size, consists of the following parts:
- Directly the katana blade itself, which is inserted and removed from the handle using special bamboo wedges;
- The handle, the dimensions of which depend on the type of samurai sword and the personal preferences of the owner;
- Garda, she is a tsuba, which has a more decorative role than a protective one;
- Handle wrap. For this, a silk cord was used, which was wound around the handle according to a special pattern;
- To fix the sword in the scabbard, a habaki clutch served.
The device of the sword is quite simple, but requires very careful fitting of parts.
Wakizashi - partner of the katana
A short wakizashi sword was worn paired with a katana. Its total length was 50-80 centimeters, of which 30-60 were on the blade. With his appearance, the wakizashi completely copied the katana, they only held it with one hand (although, if necessary, a two-handed grip could be used). For merchants and artisans, the wakizashi was the main weapon and was worn in tandem with the tanto.
Samurai used the short sword in castles or close combat when there was no room for a long sword. Although it is believed that the katana and wakizashi are a fighting set, most often samurai wore them in Peaceful time. A more serious sword was taken to war - tati, which, in addition to length, was also a generic weapon. Instead of wakizashi, they used tanto, which perfectly pierced the enemy’s armor in close combat.
Since often the wakizashi remained the only weapon available to the warrior (since when entering someone else's house as a guest, the samurai without fail took off his katana). In this regard, a lot of time was devoted to the art of owning a short sword. Some clans even practiced fighting with a katana in one hand and a wakizashi in the other. The art of fighting with a weapon in each hand was quite rare and most often came as a complete surprise to the enemy.
Wakizashi samurai wore in everyday life almost always. This sword was often called the "Guardian of Dignity and Honor", as it was constantly at hand.
How to properly wear a katana
The Japanese sword is worn on the left side (for left-handers it is allowed to wear it on the right) in a special scabbard. The scabbard is held by a belt called an obi. The katana is worn in such a position that its blade is directed upwards. This position of the sword allows you to pull it out and deliver a fatal blow in one movement (now there is such martial arts like yaido, where exactly this technique is honed).
When a threat appeared or surrounded by ill-wishers, the samurai took a katana in a sheath in left hand so that in case of danger, instantly get it with your right hand. If he wanted to show his trust in the interlocutor, then the katana was held in right hand. When the samurai sat down, the katana lay within reach (if she did not give up at the entrance to someone else's house).
Katana fighting technique
Although formally a katana is considered a sword (even a two-handed one), by the principle of its action it is more like a saber. You should not think that Japanese swords were fenced, as shown in modern films. A real samurai had to kill the enemy with one single blow. This is not a whim at all, but the need to save expensive blades, since getting a new one was quite problematic.
The long blade of the samurai sword allowed for a wide range of different strikes. Since the katana was most often held with two hands, one blow could not only cut off a head or limb, but also cut the enemy in half.
There are three main stances in katana combat:
- Jodan - upper stance;
- Chudan - stand at the middle level;
- Gedan is the lower level stance.
To fight using a samurai sword, you need to take into account and analyze all the movements of the enemy and understand his fighting style. In accordance with this, one should plan his attacks, and the implementation should follow as quickly as possible.
Now that Japanese fencing (kendo and yaido) is quite popular, it is easy to find a section where this exciting sport is practiced. Several such schools in Japan trace their lineage to the samurai clan schools of the Middle Ages. During the period of the ban on the wearing of swords, many schools disappeared, but some managed to preserve the ancient traditions of swordsmanship to the present day.
How was the sharpness of the katana blade achieved?
Although the Japanese metal was of rather low quality, the forging technique used by the blacksmiths of Japan made it possible to forge blades of excellent quality. Due to the many layers obtained during the forging process, the sharpness of the katana was at its best. Zone hardening and careful polishing gave the blade even more outstanding qualities.
Now in any souvenir shop you can buy a copy of the samurai sword, which is only suitable for decorating the interior. Real katanas are quite expensive. If you want to buy an inexpensive but high-quality replica of a Japanese sword, order it from a blacksmith who works according to ancient technology.
The Japanese sword is a bladed single-edged slashing and cutting weapon made according to traditional Japanese technology from multi-layer steel with a controlled carbon content. The name is also used to refer to a single-edged sword with the characteristic shape of a slightly curved blade, which was the main weapon of the samurai warrior.
Let's try to understand a little about the variety of Japanese swords.
By tradition, Japanese blades are made of refined steel. The process of their manufacture is unique and is due to the use of iron sand, which is cleaned under the influence of high temperatures to obtain iron with higher purity. Steel is mined from iron sand.
The bending of the sword (sori), performed in different versions, is not accidental: it was formed in the course of the centuries-old evolution of weapons of this type (simultaneously with changes in the samurai equipment) and constantly varied until, in the end, the perfect form was found, which is continuation of a slightly curved arm. The bend is obtained partly due to the peculiarities of heat treatment: with differentiated hardening, the cutting part of the sword is stretched more than the back.
Just like the Western blacksmiths of the Middle Ages, who used zone hardening, Japanese masters harden their blades not evenly, but differentiated. The blade is often straight from the beginning and gets a characteristic curve as a result of hardening, giving the blade a hardness of 60 HRC, and the back of the sword - only 40 HRC.
Dai-sho
Daisho (jap. 大小, daisho:, lit. "big-small") - a pair of samurai swords, consisting of a seto (short sword) and daito (long sword). The length of the daito is more than 66 cm, the length of the seto is 33-66 cm The daito served as the main weapon of the samurai, the seto served as an additional weapon.
Until the early period of Muromachi, the tati was in service - a long sword that was worn on a sword belt with the blade down. However, since the end of the 14th century, it has been increasingly replaced by katana. It was worn in a scabbard attached to the belt with a ribbon of silk or other fabric (sageo). Together with tachi, they usually wore a tanto dagger, and paired with a katana, a wakizashi.
Thus, daito and shoto are both classes of swords, but not the name of a specific weapon. This circumstance has led to the misuse of these terms. For example, in European and domestic literature Only a long sword (daito) is erroneously called a katana. Daisho was used exclusively by the samurai class. This law was sacredly observed and repeatedly confirmed by decrees of military leaders and shoguns. Daisho was the most important component of the samurai costume, his class certificate. Warriors treated their weapons accordingly - they carefully monitored its condition, kept it near them even during sleep. Other classes could only wear wakizashi or tanto. Samurai etiquette required taking off a long sword at the entrance to the house (as a rule, it was left with a servant or on a special stand), the samurai always carried a short sword with them and used it as a personal weapon.
katana
Katana (jap. 刀) is a long Japanese sword. In modern Japanese, the word katana also refers to any sword. Katana is the Japanese reading (kun'yomi) of the Chinese character 刀; Sino-Japanese reading (onyomi) - then:. The word means "a curved sword with a one-sided blade."
Katana and wakizashi are always carried in sheaths, tucked into the belt (obi) at an angle that hides the length of the blade from the opponent. This is the accepted way of wearing in society, formed after the end of the wars of the Sengoku period in early XVII century, when carrying weapons became more of a tradition than military necessity. When the samurai entered the house, he took out the katana from his belt. In case of possible conflicts, he held the sword in his left hand in a state of combat readiness or, as a sign of trust, in his right. Sitting down, he put the katana on the floor within reach, and the wakizashi was not removed (his samurai wore a sheath behind his belt). Mounting a sword for outdoor use is called a kosirae, which includes the lacquered scabbard of the sai. In the absence of frequent use of the sword, it was kept at home in a shirasai assembly made of untreated magnolia wood, which protected the steel from corrosion. Some modern katanas are originally produced in this version, in which the scabbard is not varnished or decorated. A similar installation, in which there was no tsuba and other decorative elements, did not attract attention and was widely used in late XIX century after the imperial ban on the sword. It seemed that the scabbard was not a katana, but a bokuto - a wooden sword.
Wakizashi
Wakizashi (jap. 脇差) is a short traditional Japanese sword. Mostly used by samurai and worn on the belt. It was worn in tandem with a katana, also plugged into the belt with the blade up. The length of the blade is from 30 to 61 cm. The total length with the handle is 50-80 cm. The blade is one-sided sharpening, small curvature. Wakizashi is similar in shape to a katana. Wakizashi was made with zukuri various shapes and length, usually thinner than that of a katana. The degree of convexity of the section of the wakizashi blade is much less, therefore, compared to the katana, this sword cuts soft objects more sharply. The handle of the wakizashi is usually square in section.
The bushi often referred to this sword as the "guardian of one's honor". Some fencing schools taught to use both the katana and the wakizashi at the same time.
Unlike the katana, which could only be worn by samurai, the wakizashi was reserved for merchants and artisans. They used this sword as a full-fledged weapon, because by status they did not have the right to wear a katana. Also used for the seppuku ceremony.
Tati
Tachi (jap. 太刀) is a long Japanese sword. Tati, unlike the katana, was not tucked behind the obi (cloth belt) with the blade up, but hung on the belt in a sling designed for this, with the blade down. To protect against damage by armor, the scabbard often had a winding. The samurai wore the katana as part of their civilian clothing and the tachi as part of their military armor. Paired with tachi, the tantō were more common than the katana short sword wakizashi. In addition, richly decorated tachi were used as ceremonial weapons at the courts of the shoguns (princes) and the emperor.
It is usually longer and more curved than a katana (most have a blade length of over 2.5 shaku, that is, more than 75 cm; the tsuka (handle) was also often longer and somewhat curved).
Another name for this sword - daito (Japanese 大刀, lit. "big sword") - is sometimes mistakenly read in Western sources as "daikatana". The error is due to ignorance of the difference between on and kun reading of characters in Japanese; the kun reading of the hieroglyph 刀 is "katana", and the on reading is "that:".
Tanto
Tanto (jap. 短刀 tanto:, lit. "short sword") is a samurai dagger.
“Tan to” for the Japanese sounds like a phrase, because they do not perceive tanto as a knife in any way (a knife in Japanese is hamono (jap. 刃物 hamono)).
Tanto was used only as a weapon and never as a knife, for this there was a kozuka worn in pair with a tanto in the same sheath.
Tanto has a one-sided, sometimes double-edged blade from 15 to 30.3 cm long (that is, less than one shaku).
It is believed that tanto, wakizashi and katana are, in fact, "the same sword of different sizes."
Some tanto, which had a thick triangular blade, were called yoroidoshi and were designed to pierce armor in close combat. Tanto was used mostly by samurai, but it was also worn by doctors, merchants as a weapon of self-defense - in fact, it is a dagger. Women high society sometimes they also wore small tanto, called kaiken, in the kimono belt (obi) for self-defense. In addition, tanto is used in the wedding ceremony of royal people to this day.
Sometimes tantō were worn as shōto instead of wakizashi in daishō.
Odachi
Odachi (Jap. 大太刀, "big sword") is one of the types of Japanese long swords. The term nodachi (野太刀, "field sword") means a different type of sword, but is often mistakenly used instead of odachi.
To be called an odachi, a sword must have a blade length of at least 3 shaku (90.9 cm), however, as with many other Japanese sword terms, there is no precise definition of odachi length. Usually odachi are swords with blades 1.6 - 1.8 meters.
Odachi completely fell out of use as a weapon after the Osaka-Natsuno-Jin War of 1615 (the battle between Tokugawa Ieyasu and Toyotomi Hideyori - son of Toyotomi Hideyoshi).
The Bakufu government issued a law that prohibited the possession of a sword over a certain length. After the law went into effect, many odachi were cut to fit the established norms. This is one of the reasons why odachi are so rare.
Odachi were no longer used for their intended purpose, but were still a valuable gift during the Shinto ("new swords") period. This became their main purpose. Due to the fact that their manufacture requires the highest skill, it was recognized that the reverence inspired by their appearance is consistent with prayer to the gods.
Nodachi
Nodachi (野太刀 "field sword") is a Japanese term referring to a large Japanese sword. The main reason that the use of such swords was not widespread was that the blade is much more difficult to forge than a blade of a sword of ordinary length. This sword was worn behind the back due to its large size. This was an exception because other Japanese swords such as the katana and the wakizashi were worn tucked into the belt, with the tachi hung blade down. However, nodachi was not snatched from behind. Because of his great length and weight, it was a very sophisticated weapon.
One of Nodachi's assignments was to fight riders. It is often used in conjunction with a spear because with its long blade it was ideal for hitting an opponent and his horse in one fell swoop. Due to its weight, it could not be applied everywhere with ease and was usually discarded when close combat began. The sword with one blow could hit several enemy soldiers at once. After using the nodachi, the samurai used a shorter and more convenient katana for close combat.
Sephiroth with the Nodachi sword "Masamune"
Kodachi
Kodachi (小太刀) - Literally translated as "little tachi", this is a Japanese sword that was too short to be considered a daito (long sword) and too long to be a dagger. Due to its size, it could be drawn very quickly and also swordd with it. It could be used where movement was constrained or when attacking shoulder to shoulder. Since this sword was shorter than 2 shaku (about 60 cm), it was allowed during the Edo period to be worn by non-samurai, usually merchants.
Kodachi is similar in length to wakizashi, and although their blades differ considerably in design, kodachi and wakizashi are so similar in technique that the terms are sometimes (erroneously) used interchangeably. The main difference between the two is that kodachi are (usually) wider than wakizashi. In addition, kodachi, unlike wakizashi, was always worn in a special sash with a downward bend (like tati), while wakizashi was worn with the blade curved up behind the obi. Unlike other types of Japanese weapons, no other sword was usually carried along with the kodachi.
Kaiken
Kaiken (jap. 懐剣, before the spelling reform kwaiken, also futokoro-gatana) is a dagger worn by men and women of the samurai class in Japan, a kind of tanto. Kaiken were used for indoor self-defense, where long katanas and medium length wakizashi were less useful and effective than short daggers. Women wore them in an obi belt for self-defense or (rarely) for suicide (jigaya). It was also possible to carry them in a brocade bag with a drawstring, which made it possible to quickly get a dagger. Kaiken was one of the wedding gifts for a woman. Currently, it is one of the accessories of the traditional Japanese marriage ceremony: the bride takes a kaiken so that she is lucky.
Naginata
Naginata (なぎなた, 長刀 or 薙刀, literal translation - "long sword") is a Japanese melee weapon with long handle oval section (namely, a handle, and not a shaft, as it might seem at first glance) and a curved one-sided blade. The handle is about 2 meters long and the blade is about 30 cm. In the course of history, a shortened (1.2-1.5 m) and lightweight version became much more common, which was used in training and showed greater combat capability. It is an analogue of the glaive (although often mistakenly called a halberd), but much lighter. The first information about the use of naginata dates back to the end of the 7th century. In Japan, there were 425 schools where they studied the technique of fighting naginatajutsu. It was the favorite weapon of the sohei, warrior monks.
Bisento
Bisento (jap. 眉尖刀 bisento:) is a Japanese melee weapon with a long handle, a rare variety of naginata.
The bisento differs from the naginata in its larger size and different style of address. This weapon must be worked with a wide grip, using both ends, despite the fact that the leading hand should be near the guard.
There are also advantages to the bisento fighting style over the naginata fighting style. In combat, the back of a bisento blade, unlike a katana, can not only repel and deflect a blow, but also press and control. The Bisento is heavier than the katana, so its slashes are more forward than fixed. They are applied on a much larger scale. Despite this, the bisento can easily cut off the head of both a person and a horse, which is not so easy to do with a naginata. The weight of the sword plays a role in both piercing and pushing properties.
It is believed that the Japanese took the idea of \u200b\u200bthis weapon from Chinese swords.
Nagamaki
Nagamaki (jap. 長巻 - “long wrap”) is a Japanese melee weapon consisting of a pole handle with a large tip. It was popular in XII-XIV centuries. It was similar to the owl, naginata or glevia, but differed in that the lengths of the hilt and tip were approximately equal, which allows it to be classified as a sword.
Nagamaki are weapons made in various scales. Usually the total length was 180-210 cm, the tip - up to 90-120 cm. The blade was only on one side. The handle of the nagamaki was wrapped with cords in a crossed manner, like a katana handle.
This weapon was used during the Kamakura (1192-1333), Namboku-cho (1334-1392) periods and during the Muromachi period (1392-1573) reached its greatest prevalence. It was also used by Oda Nobunaga.
Tsurugi
Tsurugi (Jap. 剣) is a Japanese word meaning a straight double-edged sword (sometimes with a massive pommel). Similar in shape to tsurugi-no-tachi (straight one-sided sword).
It was used as a combat weapon in the 7th-9th centuries, before the appearance of one-sided curved tati swords, and later for ceremonial and religious purposes.
One of three sacred relics Shinto is the Kusanagi-no-tsurugi sword.
Chokuto
Chokuto (Jap. 直刀 chokuto:, "straight sword") is common name an ancient type of swords that appeared among Japanese warriors around the 2nd-4th century AD. It is not known for sure whether chokuto originated in Japan or was exported from China; it is believed that in Japan the blades were copied from foreign designs. At first, swords were cast from bronze, later they began to be forged from a single piece of low-quality (there was no other then) steel using a rather primitive technology. Like its Western counterparts, the chokuto was primarily intended for thrusting.
The characteristic features of the chokuto were a straight blade and one-sided sharpening. The most common were two types of chokuto: kazuchi-no-tsurugi (a sword with a hammer-shaped head) had a hilt with an oval guard ending in an onion-shaped copper head, and a koma-no-tsurugi (“Korean sword”) had a hilt with a head in ring shape. The length of the swords was 0.6-1.2 m, but most often it was 0.9 m. The sword was worn in a sheath covered with sheet copper and decorated with perforated patterns.
Shin-gunto
Shin-gunto (1934) - Japanese army sword, created to revive samurai traditions and raise the morale of the army. This weapon repeated the shape combat sword tati, both in design (similar to tati, shin gunto was worn on a harness with the blade down and the cap of the kabuto-gane handle was used in its design, instead of the kashiro adopted on katanas), and in the methods of handling it. Unlike tachi and katana swords, which were made individually by blacksmiths using traditional technology, shin gunto was mass-produced in a factory way.
Shingunto was very popular and went through several modifications. AT last years World War II, they were mainly associated with the desire to reduce production costs. So, sword hilts for junior army ranks were already made without braid, and sometimes even from stamped aluminum.
For naval ranks in 1937, a military sword was introduced - kai-gunto. He represented a variation on the theme of shin-gunto, but differed in design - the braid of the hilt was brown, on the hilt there was black stingray leather, the scabbard was always wooden (for shin-gunto - metal) with black trim.
After the end of World War II, most of the shin gunto was destroyed by order of the occupying authorities.
Ninjato, Shinobigatana (fictional)
Ninjato (jap. 忍者刀 ninjato:), also known as ninjaken (jap. 忍者刀) or shinobigatana (jap. 忍刀) is a sword used by ninja. It is a short sword forged with much less care than a katana or tachi. Modern ninjato often have a straight blade and a square tsuba (guard). Some sources claim that the ninjato, unlike the katana or the wakizashi, was used for cutting only, not stabbing. This statement may be erroneous, since the main opponent of the ninja was the samurai, and his armor required an accurate piercing blow. However, the main function of the katana was also a powerful cutting blow.
Shikomizue
Shikomizue (Jap. 仕込み杖 Shikomizue) is a weapon for "hidden warfare". In Japan, it was used by the ninja. In modern times, this blade often appears in movies.
Shikomizue was a wooden or bamboo cane with a hidden blade. The blade of the shikomizue could be straight or slightly curved, because the cane had to exactly follow all the curves of the blade. Shikomizue could be both a long sword and a short dagger. Therefore, the length of the cane depended on the length of the weapon.
zanbato, zambato, zhanmadao
The Japanese reading of zhanmadao characters is zambato (jap. 斬馬刀 zambato :) (also zanmato), however, it is not known whether such a weapon was actually used in Japan. However, the zambato is mentioned in some contemporary Japanese popular culture.
Zhanmadao or mazhandao (Chinese 斬馬刀, pinyin zhǎn mǎ dāo, literally “sword to cut horses”) is a Chinese two-handed saber with a wide and long blade, used by infantrymen against cavalry during the Song dynasty (the mention of mazhandao is present, in particular, in the "Biography of Yue Fei" dynastic history "Song shi"). The tactics of using mazhandao, according to the Song Shi, are attributed to the famous military leader Yue Fei. The infantry detachments, which were armed with mazhandao, which acted before the formation of the main part of the troops in loose formation, tried to cut the legs of enemy horses with its help. Similar tactics were used in the 1650s by the troops of Zheng Chenggong in battles with the Qing cavalry. Some foreign researchers claim that the mazhandao saber was also used by the Mongol army of Genghis Khan.
I decided to sell a little eastern long-bladed. You can come to visit me to choose a sword according to your hand and soul. Well, or choose a sword, and I will deliver it to your metro station. Or I will send the sword to your city by a transport company convenient for you.
All blades are forged from high quality steels. They are either Damascus (multi-layered) or it is a zone hardened mono steel. The collection of swords is top notch. Swords are sharpened and suitable for cutting all sorts of objects :)
Let me remind you that before the sale, the swords are disassembled (bamboo mekugi pins holding the handle are knocked out) and in this form your purchase does not represent a cold weapon.
1. Katana and Wakizashi "Smile of the Abyss"
Simple and concise swords. Their appearance speaks for itself. Nothing superfluous, all lines are verified by time and history.
"Chopping" balance, the center of gravity is shifted to the tip of the blade.
The scabbard is wood.
Handle - wood, artificial slope, synthetic cord, menuki - bronze, tsuba - steel.
Dimensions:
Katana.
Length - 99cm
Blade length - 70cm
Tsuba blade width - 3.3cm
The thickness of the blade at the tsuba is 0.7cm
Price - 8500r.
Wakizashi.
Length - 78cm
Blade length - 53cm
Tsuba blade width - 3.3cm
The thickness of the blade at the tsuba is 0.7cm
Price - 6500r.
2. Tanto "Withering leaves".
"I cried out without listening to what the moon was muttering: Oh, where are you, curlew cry and lapwing call!" (c)
Elegant in its simplicity, tanto, with an ornament of fallen leaves on the handle, will warm your hands with warmth, which is so necessary in the cold season.
Blade - layered steel, hardened 59-60 Rockwell.
The scabbard is wood.
Dimensions.
Length - 49cm
Blade length - 32.5cm
Tsuba blade width - 3.3cm
The thickness of the blade at the tsuba is 0.8cm
Price - 5500r.
3. Katana "Joy of the Buddha".
A long, yet perfectly balanced katana.
Weapon. A narrow, slightly curved blue steel blade. Two cubits from the bevel of the point to the oval guard. The handle is half a blade, continuing the general bend. The cover is made of the skin of an unknown sea animal, rough as emery. Such a hilt did not slip in a skillful palm, and the sword cut bronze without notches and air without whistling.
Weapon. Brother of the Glider at dusk. (With)
Blade - layered steel, hardened 59-60 Rockwell.
The scabbard is wood.
Handle - wood, natural slope, cotton cord, menuki - bronze, tsuba - bronze.
Dimensions.
Length - 113cm
Blade length - 82.5cm
The width of the blade at the tsuba is 3cm
The thickness of the blade at the tsuba is 0.7cm
Price - 14000r.
4. Jian "Happy New Year!"
It's a new year, the year of the Dragon Chinese calendar. And this year you will be able to purchase its symbol - the jian sword, decorated with the symbols of the coming year.
Jian is light, flexible, obedient to the master's hand. Suitable for training, suitable even for a teenager and a girl.
Length - 99cm
Blade length - 77cm
Blade width at the guard - 32cm
The thickness of the blade at the guard - 0.3cm
The price is only 2500r.
5. Katana and Wakizashi "Imperial Dragons"
Well made and beautifully balanced swords. Suitable for both cutting and fencing. The handle fits in the hand like a glove. The multi-layered pattern of the blade pleases the eye. "Even if a Buddha stands in your way, he will be cut" (c)
Dimensions.
Katana.
Length - 101cm
Blade length - 72cm
Tsuba blade width - 3.3cm
Blade thickness - 8mm
Price - 12000r.
Wakizashi.
Length - 78cm
Blade length - 53cm
Tsuba click width - 3.3cm
Blade thickness - 8mm
Price - 8000r.
6. Tanto "Little Arhat"
This simple yet graceful tanto will make a great addition to your Imperial Dragons set or a standalone addition to your collection. Simplicity and elegance - these are the words that characterize the "Little Arhat".
Laminated steel, hardened 59-60 pts. according to Rockwell, the handle is wood, natural slope, cotton cord with the addition of silk. The device on the handle is bronze.
Length - 48cm
Blade length - 32cm
The width of the blade at the tsuba is 3.1cm
Blade thickness - 9mm
Price - 6000r.
7. Shin-gunto "Holy Wind of War"
The button is stuck and the propeller hangs
Like a broken wing.
Carlson gets on a plane without landing gear,
The sun is bloody and bright.
No return, like a bird without legs -
It's an unwritten law
If there is a samurai blade in the cockpit
Like validol under the tongue ... (c)
Replica of a Shingunto sword. Steel, bronze, iron scabbard. Acceptance marks are partially present. There are inscriptions on the blade.
Japanese weapons: from katana to wakizashi October 23rd, 2015
Katana and makibisi, tanto dagger and yumi bow, shuriken, wakizashi and naginata are weapons for children, women, commoners and especially brave and noble warriors. The variety, strict hierarchy and culture of Japanese weapons can be envied by more than one army in the world. Scientific editor of the publishing house Clever Artyom Arakelov tells how to understand this military splendor.
The history of Japan has several thousand years, and not all of these years were peaceful. Clan struggles, uprisings, military campaigns and foreign invasions... Martial art played important role in those times. Perhaps that is why in the life of modern, urbanized and high-tech Japan, the features of the former, traditional, feudal country now and then look through.
Even people who are not familiar with Japan have heard of its rich culture. It's no secret that it includes not only kabuki theater, poetry Basho and engravings Hokusai, but also such a phenomenon as samurai: a military aristocracy with its own rules, philosophy and special attitude towards weapons.
Samurai - ji
Japanese edged weapons are admired by many. Of course, many myths that are not too true are associated with it, but the traditions of metal processing, dating back to the gray Middle Ages, are honed and effective techniques fencing and simply the unique elegance of these swords cannot but inspire respect.
Forging a blade with a kitsune fox as a hammerer
The most, perhaps, known species Japanese weapons - katana. According to European ideas, it refers rather to sabers, but out of habit we call a katana a “sword”. It can stab, it can cut, but the “drawback” strike is considered preferable, when the blade not only cuts, but also cuts the target.
Curved blade 60 cm long and above, as a rule, consists of several strips of steel different properties and composition, connected together by forge welding. This allows the blade to stay sharp longer, and the softer core of the blade makes it resilient rather than brittle like glass. This is also facilitated by a special hardening technology. Then the blade needs to be polished - by hand! The master grinds the blade with abrasive stones, gradually moving from coarse to finer grain, achieving razor sharpness and along the way showing the steel pattern.
Tsuba with engraving and inlay
However, the blade is not everything. The sword needs a handle that is long enough to be gripped with two hands. It is often wrapped in shark or stingray skin and braided with silk ribbons. The blade is protected by a wooden sheath, decorated to the taste of the master. And to protect the hands, a guard is placed in front of the handle, a metal disk, which the Japanese call "tsuba". Often, tsubas are works of art in themselves - cast in bronze, with engraving and gilding, they became a family heirloom and were inherited. A combat blade sooner or later fails: from enemy blows, repeated sharpening, or from metal fatigue. In such cases, the tsuba could be transferred to a new sword, which served the great-grandchildren of the original owner.
Samurai (kabuki actor) with katana and wakizashi
The katana was not just a weapon, it was special position symbol. Only representatives of the military class, those same samurai, could wear a katana. The sword was tucked into the belt to be at hand all the time, but at the same time not to interfere with movement. In pair with him, the samurai wore a wakizashi, a shorter sword, forged in the same way as the katana. Often the master made a katana and a wakizashi in a set, in the same style.
Samurai in battle - naginata, katana, bow
In general, going into battle, the samurai took with him a whole arsenal. This is long - more than two meters - yumi bow, which is traditionally "assembled" from strips of bamboo and wood, held together with strips of leather. This and naginata- a combination of a sword and a spear, reminiscent of a European glaive: a curved blade mounted on a two-meter handle. Due to the combination of lightness and effectiveness, naginata was also used by women. Even in the 20th century, when edged weapons lost their military value, naginata - of course, not fighting - was widely used in Japanese schools for girls, as sports equipment.
Girl with cat and naginata
Weapon wielding was a common practice in old Japan. Women and even children from the samurai class carried daggers with them. tanto: similar in shape to a katana, but less than 30 cm long, sometimes quite miniature.
Katana and wakizashi. Blades separately on simple handles
Merchants who traveled the country and rightfully feared an attack by robbers, the katana was out of order. But here wakizashi they could wear, so the art of sword fighting was not limited to samurai alone.
The Japanese rulers have repeatedly tried to ban non-samurai from carrying weapons. This was especially true of the peasants, the most massive class, which often raised uprisings. Therefore, commoners had to use household utensils for self-defense: knives, sickles, awls, and so on. For example, familiar to us nuntyaku, probably, lead the pedigree from the flail, which was used to thresh rice.
Shuriken and Shaken Cross
Can't get past throwing weapons — shuriken/shaken. Cheap and easy to make - any village blacksmith could forge them - these projectiles did not fall under the ban on "swords". The forms of shurikens were limited only by the imagination of the manufacturer. Some reminded throwing knives or even darts for darts ( shuriken), other - different shapes discs, sprockets with sharpened edges ( shaken). The simplest one consisted of two pointed steel rods connected crosswise. Shuriken was difficult to kill someone - at least immediately - but it turned out to inflict an unpleasant cut, distract, slow down the opponent.
Makibisi
The closest "relatives" of the sharkens are thorns makibisi. Four sharp spikes stick out to the sides like hedgehog quills. Makibisi can also be thrown at the enemy, but more often the thorns were scattered on the ground: no matter how they fell, one point always looked up. In our time, such spikes are used to puncture the tires of a car or motorcycle, but hundreds of years ago, makibishi pierced the soles of samurai sandals with the same efficiency. Not fatal, but very, very annoying.
Japanese prince with sword Kusanagi no tsurugi
In the cultures of many peoples, we find references to weapons that cannot be attributed to “simple” military equipment. The famous Excalibur of King Arthur, Joyez of Charlemagne or the British Curtana are not just swords, they are also magical objects, symbols of supreme power. In Japan, this role is played by Kusanagi sword. The ancient double-edged swords "tsurugi", which include Kusanagi, were forged in ancient times, long before the advent of katanas. Interestingly, they are quite similar to the European straight swords of the Vikings or the Scots.
According to legend, the Kusanagi sword was found in the tail of a slain dragon, and the first emperor got it from the goddess Amaterasu, to whom the Japanese monarchs erect their family. Moreover, not just got, but became one of the three imperial regalia. Like other relics - an ancient bronze mirror and a jasper necklace - the sword is hidden from prying eyes, it is kept in one of the Shinto shrines. In addition to the servants of the temple, only the new emperor is allowed to see the sword before ascending the throne. Mere mortals, even researchers, do not know what it looks like and whether it even exists.
Artem Arakelov, scientific editor of the Clever publishing house, author and compiler of books
"" and "Pioneers"
Fights with the help of katana, naginata and shaken are found in the book "Sword of Kuromori" by a British writer Jason Roan. The book tells about the adventures of a fifteen-year-old Kenya Blackwood(or Kuromori in Japanese) in Japan. The Kuromori sword, you guessed it, is the legendary Kusanagi sword, which just got a new fifteen-year-old owner.
«— So I can fight the dragon with one sword? Are you crazy?
Kenya furtively glanced towards the exit.
—This is no ordinary sword.- looking at him, said Genkurō. — You have to find Kusanagi, the heavenly sword. It was forged by the gods and presented to people by the sun goddess Amaterasu herself. He alone is capable of defeating Namazda».
Wakizashi is a short traditional Japanese sword. Mostly used by samurai and worn on the belt. It was worn paired with a katana.
The length of the blade is from 30 to 61 cm. The total length with the handle is 50-80 cm. The blade is one-sided sharpening, small curvature. Wakizashi is similar in shape to a katana. Wakizashi were made with zukuri (decoration) of various shapes and lengths, usually thinner than those of the katana.
The degree of convexity of the section of the wakizashi blade is much less, therefore, compared to the katana, this sword cuts soft objects more sharply. Wakizashi wakizashi handle of a classic section, the same as that of a katana, but shorter.
Often the wakizashi and katana swords were made by one master, the swords had high-quality design and one style. This pair of swords was called daisho, which means "long - short" or "big - small". And if the swords were made by different masters, then they could no longer be called daisho. In a pair of daisho, the wakizashi was used as a short sword (shoto). 
Uniformity primarily implied a complete unification of appearance. In this regard, the scabbard, tsuba and other details (fuchi and kashira) differed one from one only in size, but not in any way in the technique of execution or in their appearance. The wakizashi tsuba is often slightly smaller than the tachi and tsuba katana. If for the latter the numbers 75-85 mm are characteristic, then for Wakizashi the size of the tsuba disc is approximately 65-75 mm. Tsuba tanto, respectively, is even smaller - about 50 mm.
For comfortable carrying of several swords (katana, wakizashi and tanto), the Japanese invented various ways wearing swords.
The swords were fixed with a sageo cord, which was threaded through the kurigata bracket, which was located on the front side of the scabbard. Such methods of fixation did not allow the sword to fall to the ground, or get lost, and at the same time left the torso free.
The samurai used the wakizashi as a weapon when the katana was unavailable or unusable. AT early periods Japanese history the tanto dagger was worn instead of the wakizashi. And also when a samurai put on armor, instead of katana and wakizashi, tachi and tanto were usually used.
Entering the room, the warrior left the katana with the servant or on the katanakake - a stand for weapons in the dressing room of the room.
The small sword constantly accompanied the owner, wherever he was. Whereas the so-called "heavy weaponry" rules of etiquette suggested leaving it in a special place or at the entrance to someone else's house (with the exception of only an openly hostile visit).
In turn, Wakizashi was allowed as last frontier defense even at the palace of the Shogun. Sometimes he was referred to as the "guardian of honor." Images of many influential people who were dressed in magnificent ceremonial clothes never do without a short sword at the belt. Some fencing schools taught the use of both a katana and a wakizashi at the same time.
Unlike the katana, which could only be worn by samurai, the wakizashi was reserved for merchants and artisans. They used this sword as a full-fledged weapon.
Wakizashi - in one of the readings means "stuck in the side" - the samurai sword is located behind the belt on the left, but much closer to the body than the katana. 
If you do not take into account quite short periods enough of the fierce pursuit of all sorts of lawbreakers, the presence of a small sword in the belt of a commoner was an ordinary thing.
Another conversation is tachi or katana. All kinds of long samurai swords were taken as an attribute of a samurai, a warrior, regardless of whether he serves his master or is a free ronin.
It is worth noting that, depending on the fashion or preferences of the individual owner, the wakizashi was shifted almost to the stomach, or it was oriented almost parallel to the main sword.
Of course, the Japanese would not be Japanese if they did not come up with many intricate and elegant ways to completely fix it with a sageo cord threaded into the Kurigata bracket on the special front side of the scabbard. This did not allow the katana and wakizashi to fall to the ground or get lost in some other way, thereby providing freedom to the torso.
Often the length of the wakizashi handle is 1.5 - 2 grips of the palm (about 20 cm), and no style variations are noted. Basically, it is braided with a special braid, but some precious swords could have a smooth handle, or completely covered with engraved metal.
The very first real attempt to completely disarm the civilian population ("katana-gari" - translated as "sword hunting") was made only at the end of the 16th century by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who could rightly see potential danger for the newly unified Japan in total armament.
Prior to this, each person was free to wear almost anything, as in the years of the full development of the American West, where, along with the age of majority, the lad also received his legal right to revolvers.
A little later, in the Edo era, the Tokugawa shogunate was able to bring what had begun to its logical end, thereby turning the country into an absolutely totalitarian empire with dubious strict rules of existence. 
Only a samurai could have 2 swords - small and large, which in turn gave them special rights, but at the same time drove it into a strict limitation.
Wearing something larger than Wakizashi or Tanto was very expensive for the townspeople, and in this regard, only inveterate robbers openly violated the law.
But despite its smallness in experienced hands, the wakizashi remained a deadly weapon.
Of course, the leading schools of kenjutsu in their arsenal had effective and sophisticated techniques for handling this subject, adapted to direct battles in the cramped quarters of their homes, while on their knees or practically lying down.
Many of them can be loosely classified as "iai jutsu", that is, the excellent ability to deliver an instant strike or to put protection from the scabbard.
In addition, in the old days of mass battles, an ordinary short sword ensured the correct execution of many useful deeds, from simply cutting off an enemy at a defeated trophy head and ending with ripping open one's stomach (sepukku).
When dying from the sword, the valiant husband constantly risked thrusting it much deeper than necessary, damaging his spine and thereby violating the beautiful old custom with his unaesthetic fall. A short knife completely excluded such an ending, allowing the procedure to be completed with incredible brilliance and the clarity of the ritual.
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