The samurai sword katana is not just a sword, but the embodiment of the Japanese spirit, the personification of historical culture and a source of pride for the people of the Land of the Rising Sun.
This weapon is considered a true symbol of the Japanese people, their fighting spirit and will to win. Since ancient times, it was believed that there were three main Japanese treasures. These include a jasper necklace, a sacred mirror and a sword.
For a samurai, the sword was his life partner, and even on the threshold of death, the warrior did not let it go from his hands. The katana also reflected the social status of its owner, being the personification of purity, and - which is unique to the Japanese - was considered the best gift in tribute. According to Japanese mythology, the sword is not a symbol of war and death, but rather a weapon of peace.
History of the katana sword
For a long time, when participating in bloody battles, the Japanese used spears. But the reign of the Tokugawa shogunate changed the usual way of life of warriors. With the advent of the technological process, swords began to be used. The art of swordsmanship is called "kenjutsu". This is not just a set of military knowledge, but also spiritual self-improvement.
The emergence of the “weapon of the soul” is associated with a historical change in its more ancient ancestor - the tachi sword, which is considered the traditional weapon of the samurai. The katana is not a native Japanese sword, because its formation was influenced by other Asian cultures. The sword received its final form during the Nara and Heian periods - it is a curved blade with the same handle, sharpened only on one side - this is how we can see it in our time. To create a katana, special techniques for forging and hardening iron were used, and the handle was usually wrapped in silk ribbon. In rare cases, swords were decorated with engraving; usually such specimens were of particular value.
World of Anime and Kawaii [RUS]
As you know, Japan is famous for its martial arts, of which there are quite a lot. Today I want to tell you about the art of flash katana strike, also known as Iaido.
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Iaido (Japanese 居合道 iaido, literally, the art of meeting while sitting) is the art of a surprise attack or counterattack using a Japanese sword (katana). Unlike kendo, what is studied here is not fencing, but rather the instant defeat of an opponent with the blade initially sheathed. “Instant defeat” means quickly drawing the sword and then striking when there is danger, for example, when the person sitting in front shows signs of aggression, or takes up the sword. Also in this type of fencing there is no armor, as in kendo: a protective helmet, vest and gloves.
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History of iaido
Historically, the role of the predecessor of iaido (iaijutsu) in the training of the samurai was reduced to two main ideas: firstly, to give him the opportunity to practice with a real sword (shinken) without fear of causing irreparable injury to his partner or, worse, the teacher, and secondly , to instill in him the skills to act in situations where it is necessary to unexpectedly attack or defend, without being able to remove the sword from its sheath in advance. Thus, iaijutsu was an auxiliary discipline in relation to kenjutsu - the actual art of sword fencing.
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Modern iaido
In modern conditions, swordplay has lost its practical significance and has become the lot of a relatively small group of fans of this skill. Among them there are those who emphasize learning practical ways to effectively draw a sword from its sheath (they usually prefer to call what they do iaijutsu or battojutsu), while others prefer to see it as a path to self-improvement through learning the capabilities of one's body, and a sword for They play only the role of an instrument on this path. Iaidosamo itself provides an opportunity for both, and each student can decide for himself what is most important for him.
Translated from Japanese, iaido means the way of iai; in turn, iai is an instant strike with a sword from the sheath, quickly neutralizing the enemy (usually killing) and putting the sword back into the sheath. An Iaidoka who practices with a katana strives to control himself first and not his opponent.
The art of iaido is the study and performance of imaginary battles (waza) without the actual presence of a partner. There are various fighting styles, including waza with one or more imaginary opponents, as well as variations of contact fighting using a training sword: bokken, iaito.
Each battle is characterized by the presence of a katana, initially hidden in a sheath. Increased concentration and rich imagination are essential characteristics of anyone seeking to master the science of Iaido.
To effectively fight, you must maintain the correct body position, perform the correct movements, be able to apply the secrets of gripping the handle of a katana and accurately deliver cutting blows.
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Studying Iaido
Iaidoka studies variations of combat that begin with a surprise attack, where the reflection of aggression occurs faster than any movement of the attacker. There are no unnecessary movements in Iaido. Every action has its own meaning. Fighting techniques are usually simple and natural.
Training requires not only physical, but also mental and intellectual dedication. Over hundreds of years of development, iaido has been passed down from generation to generation and has remained virtually unchanged in its fundamentals for 450 years. Those who are proficient in the basics of Iaido are able to deflect an attack and suddenly attack first.
Nowadays, throughout almost all of Russia there is a significant number of masters and mentors who have constant contact with famous masters of Japan, teaching various styles and schools of iaijutsu and iaido.
Many masters who teach the art of swordsmanship have personal credentials from different schools and styles of their teachers from Japan.
Many specialists involved in Iaido in Russia constantly train and take exams in Japan, and also invite Japanese sword masters to various events in Russia, which attracts interest in this martial art and helps in its further development.
Among the athletes participating in the Iaido championships, there are many representatives of Russia. Often, in clubs, iaido is not taught independently, but together with techniques of other martial arts: jujitsu, karate, aikido, which, however, is also practiced in Japan itself.
However, first of all, Iaido is an independent martial art, which is based on a gigantic philosophical, cultural-aesthetic, psychological layer of knowledge formed by many generations of Iaido masters and teachers.
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Well, I think we can end here. Thank you for reading, I hope you found it interesting and discovered something new. Until next time.
Carrying a katana
The samurai katana sword is worn on the left side in a sheath, which is located behind a special belt - obi. The blade of the sword, as a rule, is directed upward - this method of wearing is considered generally accepted since the end of the wars during the Sengoku period, when the carrying of weapons took on a traditional character rather than a military one. When the possibility of a threat arose, the katana was held in the left hand, and if they wanted to express their trust, then in the right. When sitting down, the samurai placed the sword not far from him. If the katana was rarely used, it was kept at home in a sheath made of untreated magnolia wood, which prevented the appearance and further spread of corrosion.
The corner in which the sword was kept was called tokonoma. And the special stand on which it was located was a katanakake. While sleeping, the samurai placed his sword at the head of his head in such a way that it could easily be grabbed at any time.
Katana Proficiency
A katana is a cutting weapon that can decapitate an enemy with one blow. The main technique of wielding a Japanese sword is that the blow is struck not at a right angle, but along a plane. Also, to simplify the application of cutting blows, the center of gravity was located closer to the blade.
The length of the katana allowed for various maneuvers. You need to hold it with both hands at once. The middle of the left palm was located at the end of the handle, and the second hand squeezed the area near the guard. Participation in the swing of two arms at once made it possible to obtain a greater amplitude, which strengthened the blow.
There are three types of stances for katana fencing:
- Jodan - the sword is on the top level
- Chudan - in this position the sword should be in front of you
- Gedan - the sword is on the lower level
To successfully apply the mastered fundamentals of katana fencing, you need to be able to anticipate all the enemy’s movements and accurately plan your actions in a short time.
Traditionally, Japanese sword fencing training is divided into three levels:
- Omote is an open level, it does not delve into “hidden” sword techniques
- Chudan - intermediate level
- Okuden - closed level
In Japan, many traditional schools teaching the art of swordsmanship have survived to this day. These schools were able to continue to exist even after the ban on wearing swords, which was established by Emperor Meiji.
Fencing with a katana
Katana fencing has undergone many changes and improvements before it has reached its current highest level. The main flowering of Japanese fencing began during the Sengoku period (Japanese 戦国時代 sengoku jidai “Era of the Warring States”) - a period in Japanese history from the second half of the 15th to the beginning of the 17th century, when the power of the shogunate weakened and wavered and Japan entered a period of feudal unrest and internecine wars.
This era only ended in the 17th century with the establishment of the Tokugawa shogunate. It is in the era of endless wars between everyone and everyone that the Japanese art of katana fencing flourishes.
The formation of the oldest fencing school in Japan, Shinkage-ryu, dates back to this time, or more precisely to the 16th century. It is considered the oldest school of katana fencing in Japan, marking the beginning of modern swordsmanship.
The founder of the Shinkage-ryu school, the samurai Ise-no-kami Nobutsuna, was himself the most excellent swordsman of his time. He personally received training in three schools of fencing - Nen-ryu, Katori Shinto-ryu and Kage-ryu.
Having chosen the best from these schools, the most progressive at that time and combining their principles into a single indivisible whole, Ise-no-kami founded his own school - Shinkage-ryu, which laid the foundations of Kenjutsu - that is, fencing with a sword in what was then Japan. Ise-no-kami took the fencing techniques of the Kage-ryu school as the basis for fencing with a katana.
The founder of the school, Kamiizumi Ise-no-kami Nobutsuna, trained in three schools that are called the origins of Japanese kenjutsu - nen-ryu, katori shinto-ryu, and Kage-ryu. Ise no Kami improved the techniques of these schools, paying special attention to the techniques and principles of the Kage-ryu school. The result was the creation of the Shinkage-ryu school.
Participating in numerous battles, Ise no kami actually proved the effectiveness of the school he created, which later became very popular in medieval Japan. Shinkage-ryu was popular until the time of the Meiji restoration, when its decline and oblivion began, which lasted until the 50s of the 20th century, when the school was actually revived and found a second wind.
The goal of developing katana fencing was not only to master the skill of wielding and fencing a sword, but also the moral component of a warrior. One of the truths of the samurai was “If I strike the Sword Master with my sword at the moment when he is admiring the cherry blossoms and is not expecting an attack, then even the Sword Master, who has no equal in the art of swordsmanship, will not be able to repel the attack (Sugawara).
Therefore, the moral aspect of katana fencing is whether to meanly stab a samurai in the back when he is not ready for battle or not. And the technical point is to always be ready for battle so that you are not taken by surprise under any circumstances. And this will prevent you from getting into a shameful situation. Fighting with a sword is a continuous concentration of body, spirit, and thought.
“Most people prefer to look their opponent in the eyes. In this case, the eyes should be narrower than usual, but the mind should be broad. The pupils should be motionless.
When the enemy is near, look as if you were looking into the distance. And then you will be able to see not only the opponent’s face, but also his entire body, which will allow you to predict any attacking attack on his part...... In fencing, you can allow your eyes to express utmost determination, but never let them betray your mind.” (Miyamoto Musashi).
In general, in katana fencing, there were three types of stances for striking: Dzedan - a position with the sword raised high, Chudan - a position with the sword raised in front of oneself, and Gedan - with the sword lowered down.
These are the main types of stances for sword fencing. Samurai sword fighting meant using all three types of stances in conjunction with one another. There are eight main blows in katana fencing, as well as three main defenses - upper, middle and lower.
How is the special sharpness of the Katana achieved?
The katana is considered a unique bladed weapon because it has a self-sharpening function. The stand on which the sword is placed allows the blade to remain sharp for a long time due to the special movement of the molecules. The blade manufacturing process involves the use of special equipment. Grinding consisted of ten stages, thus reducing the graininess of the surface. The blade was polished using charcoal dust.
The last step is to harden the blade using liquid clay. She contributed to the emergence of a special strip with a matte surface, which symbolized the boundary between the mirror part of the blade and the matte one. Part of the blade was wrapped in clay, and the other half of the blade was tempered in water. In this way, different surface structures were achieved. If the master was very popular, then at this stage of production he left his signature. But at this stage the blade was not yet considered ready. The final polishing of the blade took two weeks. When the surface of the blade acquired a mirror shine, it was considered that the work was completed.
The metal involved in the manufacturing process of weapons had a special structure. Its peculiarity is its layering. There were several ways to obtain high-quality steel. They were determined under the influence of many external factors.
How to master a katana
Today, any Japanese weapon, incl. katana, classified by the length of the blade.
In 710 AD, the legendary man and first swordsman Amakuni first used a sword with a curved blade in battle, which was forged from several dissimilar iron plates. This sword was distinguished by a “saber profile” and from the 12th century to the mid-19th century existed in this form almost without changes.
Since the 12th century, katanas have become an indispensable attribute of the Japanese aristocracy. After the Meiji Revolution, when officials were ordered to wear European-style swords, katanas lost their privileged position.
Today, any Japanese weapon, incl. katana is classified according to the length of the blade, each type of sword has its own name. The main types include: nodachi - a two-handed sword with a blade length of more than 84 cm; tachi - a samurai's court saber with a blade like a katana, but with more magnificent decorative decoration; tinsa-katana - court saber up to 61 cm long; wakizashi - was a pair to a katana or tachi, up to 51 cm long; tanto is a combat knife, which was often worn instead of wakizashi, with a blade of 28-40 cm, and kaiken is a women's knife with a straight blade of 8-16 cm.
The katana is significantly different from any other swords invented by mankind. In terms of flexibility, sharpness and strength, katanas are superior to Arab damask steel, not to mention European swords. Most experts uncompromisingly consider the katana to be the best long blade in the world.
In the film "Kill Bill", director Quentin Tarantino made a serious error in the time and method of making the katana. According to Japanese tradition, the gunsmith who forged the blade would never engage in the manufacture of accessories - for this he had a whole staff of production workers. In fact, a katana is a whole construction set as the result of the work of many people, and a real samurai always had several sets of accessories for his sword. The blade was passed down from century to century, and depending on different circumstances, the appearance of the katana changed. For example, in war it was necessary to give an ascetic appearance, and on a date with a lady a samurai could appear with a richly decorated katana. The katana became so widely known largely due to the technology of its manufacture. The most important thing in any katana is metal; special iron ore, containing impurities of molybdenum and tungsten, was intended for the manufacture of the blade. The rods were buried in a swamp for 8 years so that rust would eat away the weak points in the product, after which it was sent to the blacksmith. The blacksmith flattened the rods with a special hammer, turning them into foil, then this foil was folded and flattened again - as a result, the finished blade contained about 50,000 layers of the strongest metal. An important fact is that the real katana was self-sharpening due to the ordered movement of molecules - it was enough to hang the blade on the wall to get a razor-sharp blade again after a certain time. The blade was subjected to gradual grinding: nine grinding wheels reduced the grain size, after which the master personally polished it with charcoal dust. The last stage in production is hardening in liquid clay, during which a thin matte strip - yakiba - appears on the blade. Famous masters put their signature on the tail of the blade. After forging and hardening was completed, the sword was polished to a mirror shine for 2 weeks, and only after that the work was considered completed. Usually the master created the blade alone or with a selected student, to whom he passed on his knowledge and experience by word of mouth. The process of making a sword could last from several months to 10-15 years. There are many known cases when the head of a samurai family ordered a master to make a katana for his newborn son, so that when the heir grew up and completed his training, he could receive his sword “by special order.”
“Weapon of the Soul” For the Japanese, the katana was not just a weapon - it reflected the spirit of the Japanese nation and was a symbol of the classes that made history for centuries. And although the sword is not the most ancient weapon in Japan, it occupies a special place in the history and mentality of the country. The very first Japanese swords were very similar to their Chinese counterpart - the straight sword "jian", and were little like a katana. It was precisely these swords that were actively used by the first classes of samurai in the early Middle Ages, and even then the sword was practically considered the “weapon of the soul” of the military caste. The attitude of the samurai to the sword and the ethics of “ken-juzu” formed an integral part of the “bushido” code, which determined the entire way of life of the samurai. Along with the mirror and the jasper necklace, the sword was one of the sacred symbols of imperial power. The sword was also a distinctive sign of a warrior's social status, a symbol of purity, and - unique to Japan - the best precious gift. The katana was presented to noble people, the sword was brought into temples on special occasions, and was given to ambassadors of other states as a sign of respect. At the same time, the rules for wearing a sword were strictly regulated by etiquette.
After the appearance of the katana, this particular sword began to be considered a symbol of samurai dignity, the “weapon of the soul” of a noble warrior who strictly observed the complex rituals of even everyday wearing of a katana. The samurai had their own signs of dignity. For example, one of them was considered to be the presence of a large assortment of swords - 10 or more - differing in shape and color of sheaths and hilts. All swords were intended to be worn in different situations: at court festivals, hunting, and in war. For example, if a samurai wanted to express his love of peace, he hung the katana on his right side, because It was more difficult to remove it from its sheath. A katana on the left side meant that its owner was “ready for war.”
When visiting, the samurai handed over his katana to a servant, who bowed and placed the sword, blade up, on a special stand. If a samurai came to visit an old friend, he would even take off his short wakizashi blade, hanging it under his right hand with the hilt facing him. The hilt turned towards the interlocutor could be interpreted as an insult, because such a gesture meant that the owner of the blade doubted the opponent’s fencing skill. If the interlocutor accidentally touched the sword of his guest, this was perceived by the latter as a threat to his honor, and could even lead friends to a duel. If the owner of the house sincerely admired the beauty of the blade and asked permission to admire it, touching the blade through the thin fabric, then this, on the contrary, was considered a great honor for its owner.
From the point of view of Japanese blacksmith masters, a sword was truly worth something if the soul of a blacksmith was invested in it. One very interesting duel went down in history, in which the greatest gunsmiths of the 14th century competed with Muromasa and Masamune. The blacksmiths plunged their katanas into the bottom of the small stream, turning the blades of their swords against the current. It was autumn at that time, and all the leaves that fell on the blade of Muromasa's sword were cut in half, and the leaves that approached Masamune's blade went around it without touching it. Muromasa admitted himself defeated in this fight, because... Japanese “mythology of the sword” states that the sword is not a weapon of aggression, but a weapon of peace, and its true purpose is to prevent and end wars.
Using a katana In feudal Japan, training to use a katana looked more than cruel - prisoners were chopped with newly created katanas to see what effect the sword had on bones and tissues. The shape of the katana sword had a slightly curved blade, which allowed the blade to remain in the cut longer, thereby penetrating deeper into the wound. Many samurai fighting techniques were specifically designed so that, using only 10-15 cm of the tip of the sword, they could penetrate 5-10 cm into the body. This made it much easier and faster to make a cut and pull out the sword for further use.
The fight with katanas lasted several seconds, and in order not to get bored, the samurai tried to master a variety of tactics. They had more cunning techniques than the obvious “strike first”, which allowed the opponent to fire the first shot, and then the attack became fatal for him. The idea behind all this is to deceive the opponent; almost all battles with katanas are endowed with the same meaning. By moving his eyes and body, the samurai presented the enemy with a certain picture within which he would attack, and acted unexpectedly in response. Samurai of the old school did not swing their swords, maintaining a cold calm until the decisive moment. They knew that "if you raise the sword too high, it will be difficult to deceive the enemy."
Samurai katana sword in modern times
Having long ago lost its military significance, the katana sword has become a real find for lovers of Asian culture. A real weapon is an ancient handmade creation. Genuine specimens are most often passed on by inheritance and serve as heirlooms. But not everyone has the opportunity to purchase the best katanas, since only a true connoisseur of edged weapons can distinguish a fake from an original. So how much does a real samurai katana sword cost? The cost of swords made in Japan is at least 1 thousand dollars, and the price of rarer specimens can reach up to 9 thousand dollars. Thus, the most expensive Japanese sword in history is considered to be the 13th century Kamakura sword, which was sold at auction for 418 thousand dollars.
