The katana is a long, two-handed curved sword with one sharp edge. Along with the wakizashi short sword and the tanto auxiliary dagger, it was included in the main set of weapons of the Japanese samurai. The katana was a warrior soul, a jewel, a family heirloom, and even a philosophy. These days, Japanese culture and martial arts are very popular in Russia, so samurai swords are in great demand. Choosing the right katana is also an art that needs to be learned.
Instructions
Step 1
Decide for what purpose you want to buy a katana. The size of the sword, equipment and even material will depend on this.
Step 2
If you need a sword for training, get a bokken - a wooden model of a katana. The bokken has to withstand strong impacts, so it is made from hard woods (beech, oak, hornbeam) and impregnated with varnish or resin to increase its density. With intense training, the sword will last 1-2 years. In Japan, bokken are treated with almost the same respect as real katanas.
Step 3
If you prefer to practice with a real sword, focus not on the decor, but on the size and shape when choosing a katana. Take the sword in your hands: it should be comfortable and pleasant to hold. The length of the katana varies from 95 to 120 cm. In order to correctly choose the length of the sword for yourself, stand up straight and take it by the base of the blade near the round guard (tsuba). The tip of the blade should almost touch the floor. The length of the handle of the katana (tsuka) should be about three of your fists (an average of about 30 cm).
Step 4
When purchasing a weapon as a gift, as an interior decoration, give preference to a set of two swords (katana and wakizashi) or three (katana, wakizashi and tanto). It will look more impressive and rich. Unlike European sabers, daggers and swords, Japanese katanas are not hung on the wall, so be sure to buy a special stand.
Step 5
In order for the katana to take its rightful place in the interior, take care of accessories. A distinctive feature of samurai swords is the ability to disassemble them into their component parts. Since the handle was usually made of wood and covered with leather or fabric, it quickly wore out and needed to be replaced. When choosing a katana, purchase an additional kit for its rim (soroi-mono). It includes tsuba (garda), menuki (handle decorations), kashira and futi (handle head and sleeve).
Step 6
Remember that the samurai sword, like any other weapon, must be properly looked after. Be sure to buy a special katana care kit. It includes natural stone powder for polishing, rice paper for cleaning, oil for lubricating the blade, and mekugitsuchi, a tool for removing the wooden nails (mekugi) that hold the handle.
