The japanese katana sword, the iconic weapon of the samurai of feudal Japan, embodies an extraordinarily powerful convergence of artistry, craftsmanship and functionality. It carries a mystique that transcends its military function, the result of centuries of traditions and legends that have built a mythology of the sword’s power, beauty and spiritual significance. The forging of the katana is an elaborate process, one that requires not only great physical strength, but patience, a refined eye for judging the limits of the material and a finely nuanced sense of balance between the functional and aesthetic qualities of a finished blade.
The forging of a Japanese sword begins with heating the raw iron sand (tamahagane) in a clay tatara furnace. Once the steel is hot enough, it is hammered section by section to create the basic shape of the blade. The smith must carefully control the curve of the blade, a challenge because of the natural tendency of the thicker back of the sword to bend in different directions as it is hammered. The smith must also shape the kissaki, the sharp point of the blade. A curved tip of the sword is more effective for cutting and slashing than a straight knife point.
Once the sword is shaped, it is tempered by quenching and cooling in water. The smith may then adjust the curvature of the blade and make small scratches on the surface to improve its strength. He will then drill holes for the mekugi, the fastening pins that bind the handle to the tang. Best Katana