| If you are looking for a great representation of a | | | | katana became the weapon of choice during the |
| Japanese katana, or what is commonly referred to | | | | warring days in feudal Japan, it was worn with the |
| as a "samurai" sword then this 40 Inch Gold Japanese | | | | blade face up so its bearer could quickly withdraw it |
| Katana Sword w Dragon Tsuba and Scabbard is a | | | | from the scabbard and strike a target and as quickly |
| very good choice. A katana is a moderately curved | | | | return it to its resting place. |
| sword that has a slender, single-edged blade with a | | | | Although this movement had been perfected for |
| circular or square-shaped hand guard (tsuba) plus a | | | | centuries before the western portions of the United |
| long grip so it can be wielded with both hands when | | | | States were visited and the emergence of a |
| needed. | | | | gunfighter anti-hero occurred, the Samurai's |
| Typically, katanas possess lengths greater than 60 | | | | sword-drawing movement was reminiscent of a |
| cm or 23.6 inches long. These swords have a | | | | shootout in the Old West. |
| reputation for being extremely sharp and lethal. Since | | | | Weapons as Art |
| it has been historically associated with the Japanese | | | | Just like many gunsmiths in the West went to great |
| warrior class called the Samurai, the sword has | | | | lengths providing not only an efficient weapon when |
| become known by this name in the West. | | | | designing a gun but also works of art, sword makers |
| Medieval Knights or Gunslingers | | | | also produced fabulous works of art, particularly in |
| Although the Samurai can be traced back in time to | | | | the design of the katana's tsuba, or hand guard. |
| the late 1300s, their existence was little known in the | | | | These hand guards started out as a practical |
| West until the age of European exploration began. | | | | component that aided in weapon control as well as |
| Since then, the Samurai, who follow the Bushido, a | | | | protecting the wielder's hands. It was for preventing |
| code that typifies the philosophy of the "Way of the | | | | the user's hand from sliding onto the highly sharpened |
| Warrior," have been looked upon in the West like | | | | blade when thrusting at an opponent as well as |
| Medieval knights and at the same time like the tales | | | | protection against the opponent's blade striking the |
| of gunslingers that sold their skills to whoever paid | | | | hand. |
| the price in the days of the lawless Old West in | | | | Great Sword Features |
| America. | | | | This 40 Inch Gold Japanese Katana Sword w Dragon |
| In fact, for some time in the late 50s and 60s, | | | | Tsuba and Scabbard includes an overall 27.5 inch blade |
| American movie audiences embraced many Oriental | | | | size with a 10.5 inch handle made from imitation fish |
| cinematic productions reflecting the tales and lives of | | | | skin along with a dragon decorated hand guard |
| the Japanese Samurai with a great deal of emphasis | | | | (tsuba). |
| placed upon choreographed sword fights. When the | | | | |