| This 40 inch Blue Japanese Katana Sword w Dragon | | | | practitioners could wield two of their weapons at the |
| Tsuba and Scabbard is a truly wonderful replica of | | | | same time. One of the most famous of these was a |
| the samurai swords popularized in many Japanese | | | | legendary swordsman and the author of Book of |
| samurai movies exported to the West in the 50s 60s | | | | Five Rings, Miyamoto Musashi (1584 - 1645). |
| and 70s. These are the best recognized Japanese | | | | He created a two-sword technique that he named |
| sword through literature and film due to its | | | | niten'ichi which means "Two Heavens as One." With |
| association with its owner: a member of the | | | | this technique, Musashi perfected use of the katana |
| Japanese warrior class called the Samurai. | | | | and wakizashi at the same time. Much like one-on-one |
| Who Were the Samurai? | | | | battles of honor that were commonplace amongst |
| The ancestors of this 40 Inch Japanese Katana | | | | the gentry of Europe at this time, Musashi |
| Sword w Dragon Tsuba and Scabbard were found | | | | participated in more than 60 duels in his lifetime never |
| around the waists of Samurai warriors who were the | | | | losing. |
| only members of Japanese society allowed to wear | | | | Shaping a Sharp Blade |
| katana. Any peasants found in possession of a | | | | This katana is a sword with a long, slightly curved |
| katana by a member of the warrior caste would be | | | | blade with a chisel-like point. It is what is referred to |
| executed on the spot. | | | | as a "back sword" since it is single edged - its back |
| In contrast to the ways that katana are seen | | | | edge is unsharpened. The sword is used for slashing |
| wielded in battle in all those samurai movies, it was | | | | as well as thrusting. It is the sword that is portrayed |
| actually the weapon of last resort.The katana was | | | | as the weapon of choice for beheading defeated |
| believed to have a mystical link to a warrior soul and | | | | enemies depicted in many movies. |
| was only drawn in the most necessary circumstances | | | | Beautiful Art |
| when honor was at stake. It was often accompanied | | | | Many katanas are beautifully adorned with decorated |
| by a smaller sword called a wakizashi (12 to 20 | | | | tsubas, the sword hand guard. The product described |
| inches) or a dagger known as a tanto (6 to 12 | | | | here - 40 Inch Blue Japanese Katana Sword w |
| inches). The combination of the two weapons was | | | | Dragon Tsuba and Scabbard - has a beautifully |
| referred to as daisho - the long and the short. The | | | | etched dragon theme on its tsuba along with a 10.5 |
| katana will was used for cutting whereas the short | | | | inch blue-colored handle of imitation fish skin. The |
| sword or dagger was used for stabbing. | | | | overall sword blade measures in at 27 inches. This is a |
| The Art of Katana | | | | truly remarkable weapon that anyone would be |
| The practice of swordsmanship using the katana is | | | | proud to display and own. |
| known as kenjitsu, or samurai sword art. Highly skilled | | | | |