Katana Info

Because of anime and tv show you might think katana is the only weapon samurai use, but the truth is, there are many choice of weapons for a samurai warrior, and one of them is Hoko 矛, a type of Japanese spear. This article will introduce what Hoko is, how it was used, the features and types of hoko, and famous hoko appearing in mythology or in...

When most people think about the weapon of samurai, the iconic image of a katana often comes to mind. However, the reality of samurai warfare was much more diverse, with a variety of weapons being utilized. Among these, the yari, a type of spear, was actually far more common and widely used than the katana in many battle situations. Yari played a crucial role in...

What is Nagamaki 長巻 "Nagamaki" (長巻) refers to a type of Katana (Nihonto), featuring a long, slender blade similar to a katana, paired with an unusually long handle, allowing for two-handed grip and greater control. Nagamaki looks very similar to "Naginata" (薙刀), but there are many difference. This article introduce the basic knowledge of Nagamaki, a long with its history, types and comparison with other Japanese polearms.   Table...

What is Yoroi-dōshi Tanto 鎧通? "Yoroidōshi", literally translated to Armour Piercer, is a type of short katana, a tantō. It also known as "Metesashi" 馬手差し. Tanto was used as an auxiliary weapon when samurai fought with full armor on, and Yoroidōshi has a more specific purpose, is to stab into the gaps of the armor.  Antique Yoroidoshi is rare, but they are widely recognized and popular as hidden...

What is Uchigatana Uchigatana is the Katana we all familiar with, literally translated to "Striking sword" 打刀. We talk about Katana all the time, but the meaning of "Katana" is slightly different in English and Japanese. We will explain to you in details: Katana, means "Single edged blade" in Japanese, and it refers to all types of Japanese swords.  Katana in English, according Oxford Dictionaries, means "a long,...