The katana, or samurai sword, is the most advanced form of Japanese edged weapons, the production of which has been honed for centuries. The history of the katana begins around the 12th-13th century. Wearing a large sword was allowed only to samurai warriors and aristocrats. Katana was an indispensable attribute of the Japanese aristocracy until the 19th century, but after the Meiji revolution, it lost this status, and officials began to wear European-style swords.
Each handle contains “menuks” – tiny symbolic metal figures (animals, birds, men) that decorate the handle and do not allow it to slip out of the palm of your hand. Between the handle and the blade is a “tsuba” – a flat guard of a round shape, which, according to tradition, is decorated with fantasy drawings on both sides. The motifs of the tsuba pattern are repeated on the metal pommel called “fuki”. The scabbard is made of beech and covered with natural calfskin, and in more expensive versions with python skin. A hieroglyph is applied to the blade with gold.
