What is a katana made of?
The katana belongs to the nihonto family, a term describing Japanese swords crafted using a specific traditional technique. The katana is a curved, single-edged sword over 60 cm long, worn by samurai tucked into a belt called an obi, with the cutting edge facing upwards. The katana is a complex assembly of interlocking parts, the result of ancestral know-how. In this article, we will examine in detail the sounds, the components, and their functions.
A katana can be divided into 4 distinct parts:
- The Tsuka handle
- Tsuba's Guard
- The Nagasa blade
- The Saya sheath
The handle :
The tsuka allows for one- or two-handed sword handling. Its core consists of two magnolia wood halves covered with ray or shark skin, called same-hada or same-kawa respectively, which serves to stiffen the handle. This skin is then covered with braided silk, cotton, or leather threads, called tsuka-ito, providing a better grip and securing the two halves of the tsuka together .
The mekugi is the part of the katana that allows the blade and tsuka (handle) to be attached.
The guard :
The tsuba, which forms the intersection between the blade and the handle, prevents the hands from slipping on the blade. It is composed of several elements. First, there is the hakabi, a metal piece located at the base of the blade; it serves to "lock" the sword in the scabbard, preventing it from falling out. Then come the fushi and the seppa , which act as spacers between the guard and the handle.
The blade :
Nagasa, usually made of carbon steel (see our article "How to choose the steel for your katana" ). The characteristic curve of the blade is called Sori .
Even those seeing a Japanese sword blade for the first time are captivated by the vibrancy of the Hamon (temper pattern on the blade). The Hamon refers to the design left on the blades during the selective clay tempering process.
Sheath :
The Saya is made of magnolia wood which, once properly dried, absorbs moisture, thus limiting the oxidation of the blade; it is covered with traditional lacquer applied in 22 layers, either smooth or textured. Sometimes it is decorated with inlaid designs. The lacquer's virtues include making the katana scabbard waterproof and stiffening it.
We hope this article has helped you to better understand the elements that make up katanas, developed and refined over the centuries.
