This post about my most recent purchase, an as accurate as I could afford, Katana.
For those of you unfamiliar with the word, a Katana is a Japanese sword designed for the use of the Samurai (a.k.a. warriors a bit like a European Knight) in the time of feudal Japan. Here’s what mine looks like: 
There are a couple of films based on Japanese culture surrounding the Samurai lifestyle that sparked my interest in Katanas further. I watched “Kill Bill” Vol. I and II as well as “The Last Samurai“. All three movies are at the very least inspired by the traditional Japanese Samurai lifestyle and are very bloody (just a fair warning, if you’re not quite into that kind of movie). Seeing that “The Last Samurai” is based on the end of the Samurai way of life in Japan, I could go on to discuss the film’s historical accuracy; yet, I feel that is better off being an entirely different post.
To be completely honest, I didn’t know very much about my Katana before I bought it. As a result, Youtube appeared to be a good place to start. This video is the best that I found: Katana Making Video. I’ll admit that the video is a little long, but it is a wealth of information on the traditional method of forging a Japanese Katana. For an overview of the video, this group of history buff, blacksmiths create their own tools to mimic the traditional methods of the art of forming a authentic Katana.
A Katana has a many parts that are all important to its use and prestige, but here are the highlights: The sheath of the Katana is called a Saya, the decorative trinkets in the handle are called Menuki, the leather wrapping is called Ito, the handle is called the Tsuka, etc.
The traditional method of making a Katana goes something like this:
- Making the metal for the sword takes an excruciatingly long process of smelting the ore, heating the steel bits, and then consolidating the metal.
- The consolidation process involves heating the metal, then hammering is down to remove any air pockets. This is repeated several times until the metal bits are compressed well enough to create a hard blade.
- Next, the folding process begins. Each time the blade is folded, the steel becomes more unified, creating more and more layers. This keeps the steel consistently strong throughout the blade. These blades can have thousands and thousands of layers, in turn producing a stronger sword that will carry a sharper edge for longer.
- Once the blade is formed, it is ready to be heat treated. The swordsmith will apply clay to the spine of the blade, before being tempered. This keeps the spine of the blade softer than the cutting edge. Combining a soft spine and a rigid blade makes the katana uniquely strong and flexible. The clay is also the reason for the faint wavy design on the edge of the blade, which is hardly present on my katana.
- Now that they have a blade, they must make the handle, or tsuka of the katana. This process involves crafting a wooden sheath to cover the tang, and securing the two with pegs called mekugi.
- Finally, the craftsman would panel the handle of the Katana in samegawa (the tough skin of a stingray) and then begin weaving the ito. This act is referred to as tsukamaki. On either side of the tsuka, menuki (special trinkets, traditionally used to hide the mekugi, and provide a better grip) are tucked into the ito, being secured by the tight, criss-crossed wrap. The final product of this can be seen on my Katana:
So, how historically accurate is my Katana?
Well, to be perfectly clear my Katana is not a true Japanese weapon. To my great disappointment when I opened the box I found stickers and tags that demanded to be seen reading, “Made in China”. So much for authenticity. 😦 Yet, there is still a presence of clay on the blade, so perhaps it was made using the traditional method only with the addition of modern machinery. I cannot say for sure that the ray skin on the handle of my Katana is real, but I can tell you that the Menuki are not made of plastic nor is there a trace of plastic on the entirety of the object. This, I am quite proud of. Not to mention, I think my Katana looks pretty bad ass and it represents an impressive/under appreciated culture from the period of feudal Japan. 
True or False History 
You had me at “Japanese Katana.” For the past several years, and very specifically during my Freshman year in high school, I have been fascinated with Japanese culture. Be it the cuisine, the formal bowing, the legends & lore, the kimonos, or the anime, I love it all. In fact, I have read plenty-a-manga that have dealt with the different types of Japanese swords, the katana obviously being the most popular.
What I didn’t know, though, was how long and intense the process is to make them! I also had no idea the handles are typically wrapped in stingray. Like, what??? And I loved that you added the picture that broke down all the technical parts of a katana- I didn’t know any of that either! You did a fantastic job writing an informative yet still entertaining post. I especially love your last photo. After having read through the strenuous process of crafting authentic swords, to see the “Made in China” sticker nearly had me on the floor laughing so hard.
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I am really impressed with this post. I like how you pay attention to detail and actually take the time to understand different cultures and respect them as well. This post encompasses a lot of characteristics that I want mine to eventually have; I have to get on your level first! It seems like this took you a lot of time and concentration and I think that you did a great job! I personally would never take the time to research as much as you did, just for my own knowledge or satisfaction. But it is awesome that you are intrigued by foreign films and spend time researching educating yourself. And to be real honest, I was a little scared to read your blog because history is not my forte and neither are foreign films. But after reading this, I can say that you have won my attention over!
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Katanas have a special place in my heart as my family is Japanese and we are descendants of a samurai clan. I was raised watching movies about samurai but I didn’t get to hold a katana until I was 13. The guy who let me hold it bought his from China, too but this doesn’t affect authenticity necessarily. Post WWII and during the midst of the rise of communism in Asian nations, the Japanese government self-imposed a ban on the export of weapons to show they had changed from the conquering imperial power they were. This created a major issue for Japanese sword makers as only Japanese people could purchase their weapons. So many Japanese sword makers moved to China so they could make the katanas there, in the traditional style, but export them all over the world. Now as of 2014, Japan lifted the ban in order to take more control of their national defense in order to compete with China’s military and to be less reliant on the American military. So the fact you got the katana from China does not mean it wasn’t made by a Japanese sword maker. I enjoyed reading this blog as I love Asian films as well and seeing how they influence American culture. I think the addition of the photos you took yourself and the sword graphic really aided your blog.
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Once again you have written about something that a) I didn’t think I’d be interested in and b) I wound up infinitely fascinated by. Obviously the things with which we surround ourselves define us (I own so many books I often come across books I didn’t know I own) and this sword tells us so much about you (or perhaps deepens the mystery). Thanks for taking the time to give us the history and the fantastic photographs. It made me think about whether I have (or desire) an object with this much rich historical depth. What a great item to have when so much of what we own/use is disposable.
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