Katana Sword: How to Make It the Traditional Way!

Learning how to make a katana sword is a work of art. Created using high-quality materials and treasured techniques, it accomplishes its original function as a deadly weapon while showcasing its beauty and the blacksmith’s skills.

These methods are still being used today for Japanese kitchen knives, which are also held in high regard globally. Join us as we uncover the legacy and craftsmanship of the katana sword, the different kinds, and how it is hand forged today.

What is a katana?

When you think of artifacts from feudal Japan, samurai swords are likely to come to mind. The katana was the nihontō (traditional Japanese sword) of choice, often worn in a daishō (set of two) with shorter weapons. Its name is a combination of the Japanese words kata (one-sided) and na (blade), referencing its single-edged blade.

A real katana is over 60 cm (24 in) long without the handle; it can be between 85 and 110 cm (34-43 in) long. It was typically worn hanging off a belt suspended on a cord, making it easier to draw in battle, especially on horseback. And like the people who wielded them, these swords have a fascinating history. 

When was the katana sword originally made?

Short sasuga were first used as spares by lower-rank samurai in the Kamakura period (1185-1333). The length of the blade soon increased, with the world’s oldest surviving katana, the Hishizukuri uchigatana, made sometime in the following Nanboku-chō period (1336-1392). As early as the 15th century, hand-forged katanas were admired for their quality material and exported. They also became widely used by high-ranking officers.

Shintō (new swords) appeared after 1596 due to the destruction of the Bizen school and the distribution of uniform steel. Ornate handles became popular during the Edo period (1603-1868), though shinshintō (“new-new” swords) brought back their tough counterparts.

The Haitōrei Edict (1876) forbade carrying them in public, and the post-World War II American occupation banned their manufacture. However, gendaitō (modern swords) survived thanks to artisans and collectors. Many have been preserved, and they’re still being manufactured today, though under restrictions.

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What different kinds are there?

Uchigatana

Translating to “striking sword,” uchigatana is the standard type. Between 60 and 90 cm (24-35 in) long, it’s characterized by a slightly curved blade, which allowed for smoother drawing, and was worn with the sharp edge facing up.

Chokutō

Meaning “straight sword,” the Heian period (794-1185) chokutō was the prototype for the modern Japanese sword. The blade is 60 cm (23.6 in) long out of a total 70 cm (27.6 in). Modelled after Chinese Dao weapons, chokutō were used in close combat fights. Later, many were gifted to Buddhist shrines and temples.

Tantō

Also called koshigatana (waist katana), the tantō (short blade) was used for slashing and stabbing, martial arts purposes, and to commit seppuku. Measuring between 15 and 30 cm (6 to 12 in), it’s the basis for modern Western tactical knives (though their tips are squared instead of curved).

How To Make a Katana Sword

Forging the Blade

Carbon steel and dead soft iron are combined to create the ji (metal base). Both are heated until red-hot before being forge-welded numerous times. The metal is given one last firing before being plunged into cold water, thereby curving it.

Hatsuke (Creating the Edge)

The ji is rough and flat, sharpened to determine the blade’s thickness. Then the urasuki (concave at the back) is adjusted, the angle is determined, and the blade’s surface is buffed. Finally, the kasumitogi (hazy tarnish) is created with rubber and natural sharpening stone powder.

Etsuke (Attaching the Handle)

The maker engraves their seal or signature onto the blade. After heating the nakago (tang), they attach it to the e (handle). Finally, its distortion is corrected. The result is a product that the smith can be proud of.

Why are katanas so significant in Japanese culture?

Katanas have always been prized for their high quality. Forged with the finest materials, they belonged in a private collection as much as they did on the battlefield. With their cutting and freedom of movement, these blades shaped the course of combat. 

Finally, these quality swords showcase their makers’ dedication. Older forgers are committed to sharing their craft, while newer smiths are determined to keep traditional methods alive. If you’re a scholar or anime fan, you can also share your appreciation for this important piece of Japanese culture.

Katana swords are some of Japan’s most beloved treasures. While evolving due to military needs and artistic tastes, these blades never lost their appeal thanks to their sharpness, ease in battle, and overall beauty.

Their forging techniques are still used today, while these weapons are kept alive through galleries, demonstrations, and media. We hope you can see one of these amazing artifacts in person. Have you gotten close to a Japanese sword before? Tell us in the comments.