| Swords first appeared in Japan in 240 - 280 A.D. | | | | century longer swords, around 120-150cm, were |
| when China sent two double-edged tsurugi swords as | | | | created. The long swords were good for delivering |
| gifts to Queen Himeko. It is unknown for sure, but it | | | | devastating blows, but they were not quick to draw. |
| is generally believed the art of forging steel into | | | | In the fifteenth century swords were shortened to |
| swords spread from China to Japan sometime during | | | | around 70cm to accommodate quicker draw times. |
| the third and fourth centuries. Straight, single-edged | | | | These swords were called uchigatana. |
| swords called chokuto have been found dating to the | | | | During the sixteenth century swords became even |
| fifth century. More advanced hardening methods | | | | shorter, averaging 60-65cm, to facilitate increased |
| during the forging process developed during the sixth | | | | portability. These swords are called katana, and were |
| century. | | | | carried with the blade facing upward so that a deadly |
| Around the eight century swords became curved to | | | | strike could be carried out while drawing the sword. |
| help accommodate fighting on horseback. These early | | | | In contrast, the katana's predecessor, the tachi, was |
| swords were called tachi, and were characterized by | | | | carried with the blade facing downward. During this |
| a long, curved, single-edged blade. Two common | | | | period the use of katana was at its height in Japan |
| types of tachi during this period were the | | | | as firearms had not been introduced to Japan yet. |
| kogarasumaru and kenukigatatachi. The tachi reigned | | | | When the Portuguese brought firearms to Japan in |
| supreme as the weapon of choice in Japan from the | | | | 1543 Japanese warlords knew the strategy of |
| eighth to twelfth century. During this time the | | | | warfare would be dramatically altered. Standing |
| practice of using soft steel for the inner core and | | | | armies were trained and equipped with muzzle-loading |
| harder steel for the outer surface and blade became | | | | firearms. Although firearms were more effective in |
| common. It became customary for the sword smith | | | | battle, samurai still carried their daisho, a long and a |
| to sign the blade. The oldest blade with a sword | | | | short sword, as a sign of their class. This custom |
| smith's signature is by Sanjo Munechika. | | | | ended in 1868 when Emperor Meiji outlawed the right |
| During the thirteenth century samurai used tachi and | | | | of samurai to carry weapons. A further blow to |
| other weapons to fight off invading Mongols. During | | | | samurai swords came when they were made illegal |
| these invasions it became apparent the tip of the | | | | during the occupation of the Allied forces after World |
| tachi was too easily broken and difficult, if not | | | | War II. Today many swords classified as national |
| impossible, to repair. Designs of later swords would | | | | treasures are still missing. |
| be influenced by this fact. During the fourteenth | | | | |