Uchigatana (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between a katana and a Uchigatana? ›

Technically, they're the same thing. Katana refers to swords in general, and in Japan what the world knows as the Katana is called the Uchigatana. You see, Uchigatana means “striking sword” or “war sword”, referring to swords made since the 14th century.

Uchigatana is written as 打刀, which means a “single edged sword you can strike with”. It has blade of around 60cm, and as you can tell from it's meaning in Japanese, you use it for striking or cutting.

Uchigatana (打刀, "striking sword"): A sword with a curved blade longer than 60 cm (24 in) (there is no upper length limit but generally they are shorter than 90 cm (35 in)), worn with the edge upwards in the sash.

The uchigatana was a sword used by the samurai in feudal Japan and can be seen as the predecessor to the famous katana. It is thought that the uchigatana first developed in Japan during the Kamakura period (1192 – 1333) when the basis of feudalism was firmly established.

Generally, katana is designed for cutting, but it was widely used for stabbing too. This depended mainly on the length of the tang (the handle). The katana could be easily used for cutting if it was made for using with both hands. It was used for stabbing when the katana was made for using with one hand.

Nagakiba: Another regular katana option is also an S-tier choice for the same reasons. The Nagakiba, however, has an even longer range than the Uchigatana, which makes it especially useful in PvP encounters.

In the 1980s, Marcella Frangipane's team at Rome University discovered a cache of nine swords and daggers dating all the way back to 3300 BCE. Frangipane declared the swords of Arslantepe the world's oldest and first swords ever discovered. They are made of an alloy of arsenic and copper.

The oldest katana in existence today is called Hishizukuri uchigatana, which was forged in the Nanbokuchō period, and was dedicated to Kasuga Shrine later.

These Samurai warriors were equipped with a range of weapons such as spears and guns, bows and arrows, but their main weapon and symbol was the sword. There are five main streams of the samurai sword, namely Katana, Wakizashi, Tanto, Nodachi and Tachi swords.

Can you take a katana out of Japan? ›

To export the katana out of Japan, you'll need to comply with export laws, which usually require additional documentation proving the sword is not a national treasure or culturally significant artifact. You will often have to ship the katana separately and declare it upon arrival in your home country.

Legal Swords in Japan:

While katana are illegal in Japan unless they are certified as important cultural properties or art objects, other types of swords are legal to own and carry in the country. These include: Wooden swords or bokken, which are used for sword training and martial arts practice.

In the US, katanas fall under the same legal category as knives. From the age of 18, it is absolutely lawful to possess a katana in the US. However, ownership laws vary by state, but most states allowing you to own and display a katana in your home. Restrictions may apply on "carrying a katana" publicly.

Katanas are well-documented for their cutting ability, capable of slicing through flesh and bone with ease. In historical battles, samurai have used katanas for single, clean cuts to disarm or disable their enemies. For example, targets such as Tatami mats are said to simulate the density of human bone and flesh.

Often, these cost around 10,000 to 25,000 dollars and more. In general, Katanas are very expensive, and when it comes to an authentic samurai Katana, things get even more expensive. Compared to Chinese productions, prices usually vary between 1,000 and 4,500 dollars for an object considered "reasonably traditional".

The combination of the katana, wakizashi, and tanto formed what is known as the "daisho," which means "big-little" in Japanese. Carrying these three swords together was a symbol of a samurai's social status and their adherence to the samurai code of bushido.

The answer really depends on the situation. If you need a fast and agile weapon for cutting and slicing, the katana may be the better choice. However, if you need a weapon that is better suited for thrusting and parrying, the longsword may be the way to go.

The ōdachi (大太刀) (large/great sword) or nodachi (野太刀, field sword) is a type of traditionally made Japanese sword (日本刀, nihontō) used by the samurai class of feudal Japan.