Katana

The Katana is a single edged curved steel weapon, used by warriors of fuedal japan. It is made by forging and folding steel to rid it of impurities, then coating the cutting edge in clay, heating it up and quenching it to harden the cutting edge, revealing is called a temperline (Hamon). The Katana was a decorative peice of art as well as a weapon, consisting of a Tsuba (hanguard) Tuki Ito (handle wrap, usually coloured) and other intricate artistic fittings. The Katana is not superior-but amazingly strong and sharp for a small thin weapon. Under controlled test conditions, a Nihonto (japanese made katana) was able to shatter a .45ACP round without sustaining damage, and widthstood 7 direct hits from a M2 HMG (heavy machine gun)with its .50BMG armour piercing round before shattering. The katana came into use in the 1400's, before hand the Tachi was used, a longer sword used on horseback and worn in a different manner. Before that were the straight blades, Chokuto, from China. The katana is usually worn with the cutting edge (Ha) facing upwards, thrust through an Obi (belt). On rare occasions, The Katana was worn blade down (sometimes when armour was worn). It was usually the primary weapon of a warrior or Samurai, though in wars Yari (spear) were prefered due to the damage they inflicted on Armour, along with Maai (distancing).