Samurai Swords: Bringing History to Life
By Desiree Weeks
From the late 12th century until being abolished in the 1870s, the samurai were members of the Japanese warrior caste. They proved themselves as adept warriors when it came to fighting the invading Mongols in the 13th century, which is when the sword truly began to stand out on the battlefield. For much of Japan’s history it was the bow that was considered the primary weapon. The long Japanese swords stood up better to the short Mongol swords and their light armor could not withstand the slash of the sharp samurai blade.
Samurai swords have slightly curved blades and come in a variety of sizes. While the katana is the best known, samurai also carried short swords known as wakizashi and knives known as tanto. These swords are easy to spot with their wooden handles that are covered in ray skin and tightly bound in a braided fabric, traditionally silk. They are known to have ornate guards, known as tsubas, which can have a variety of intricate designs spanning from animals to landscapes.
The elite samurai came to be known for carrying two swords, one long like a katana and one shorter like a wakizashi. This pair of swords is known as the daisho. The daisho, which translated to “big-little”, is a Japanese term for a matched pair of traditionally made Japanese swords worn by the samurai class in feudal Japan. The word was created by combining “daito” which means long sword and “shoto” which means short sword. Originally, daisho was the wearing of any long and short katana together and later came to mean two swords having a matched set of fittings.
The custom was to leave the katana at the door of a castle or palace while the samurai would continue to wear the smaller blade indoors. Samurai later became stewards and chamberlains during the Edo period, which was a time of peace lasting from 1603 to 1868. It was the Meiji Restoration that eventually ended their feudal roles. However, their weaponry continues to be globally popular today and swordsmanship remains a revered skill.
If you’re looking to jump into the world of samurai swords or add to your already existing collection, here are some great options from BudK.
Shinwa Black Knight Handmade Katana
Crafted by Shinwa’s master swordsmiths, the Black Knight Katana is a true masterpiece showcasing the spirit of the samurai. Every element of this sword is impressive, but it’s the black Damascus steel blade that truly stands out. This full tang 28 1/8” blade was crafted using a centuries-old technique with more than 1,000 distinct layers. What this technique creates is a one-of-a-kind look of swirling brown waves throughout the black blade. Carrying on the tradition of the samurai, this katana also features a tsuka wrapped in faux ray skin and classic black ito with brass dragon menuki. The cast metal tsuba is square with an ornate dragon inlay. This beautiful katana can be housed in its glossy black scabbard with black hanging cord.
Honshu Boshin Wakizashi
If you’re looking for a more modern take on the samurai sword, check out the Honshu Boshin Wakizashi. The wakizashi itself is a legendary sword, known to be used by the samurai. This specific piece retains the heart of the wakizashi with an updated twist for today’s warrior. This sword has a 22 1/2" 1060 high carbon steel blade designed for real-world use and has a rugged TPR handle. A bit of tradition is added to this sword’s black wooden scabbard with a black leather sageo accent.
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Engraved Flying Dragon Three Piece Samurai Sword Set
A great way to get three traditional samurai blades is this Engraved Flying Dragon Three Piece Samurai Set. The set includes an 18 1/8” tanto, 27 3/4" wakizashi, and a 36 1/2" katana. Each of the swords is crafted to match with stainless steel blades and black cord and ray skin wrapped handles. Each also has its own lacquered black scabbard with dragon design down the side. Easily display the three swords together on the included collector’s stand.
Kojiro Kihei Katana
Artistically crafted, the Kojiro Kihei Katana is an eye-catching piece you’re sure to want to add to your collection. This 40 1/2" katana has a hand-forged 1045 carbon steel blade with a swirling red lacquered finish. The blade extends from a traditional brass tsuba with depictions of two samurais fighting on horseback and a wooden handle wrapped in faux ray skin and purple cord. The black scabbard carries on the colorful theme of the blade and handle by having a colorful paint splatter design.
