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Historically, were one of the traditionally made that were used by the samurai of feudal Japan. Modern versions of the katana are sometimes made using non-traditional materials and methods. The katana is characterized by its distinctive appearance: a curved, slender, single-edged blade with a circular or squared guard and long grip to accommodate two hands. ==History== The production of swords in Japan is divided into specific time periods: * Jōkotō (ancient swords, until around 900 A.D.) * Kotō (old swords from around 900–1596) * Shintō (new swords 1596–1780) * Shinshintō (newer swords 1781–1876) * Gendaitō (modern swords 1876–1945) * Shinsakutō (newly made swords 1953–present) The first use of "katana" (gatana) as a word to describe a long sword that was different from a tachi occurs as early as the Kamakura Period (1185–1333).〔 These references to "''uchigatana''" and "''tsubagatana''" seem to indicate a different style of sword, possibly a less costly sword for lower-ranking warriors. The evolution of the tachi into the katana seems to have started during the early Muromachi period (1337 to 1573). Starting around the year 1400, long swords signed with the "katana" signature were made. This was in response to samurai wearing their tachi in what is now called "katana style" (cutting edge up). Japanese swords are traditionally worn with the signature facing away from the wearer. When a tachi was worn in the style of a katana, with the cutting edge up, the tachi's signature would be facing the wrong way. The fact that swordsmiths started signing swords with a katana signature shows that some samurai of that time period had started wearing their swords in a different manner. The rise in popularity of katana amongst samurai came about due to the changing nature of close-combat warfare. The quicker draw of the sword was well suited to combat where victory depended heavily on fast response times. The katana further facilitated this by being worn thrust through a belt-like sash (obi) with the sharpened edge facing up. Ideally, samurai could draw the sword and strike the enemy in a single motion. Previously, the curved tachi had been worn with the edge of the blade facing down and suspended from a belt.〔 The length of the katana blade varied considerably during the course of its history. In the late 14th and early 15th centuries, katana blades tended to have lengths between 70 and 73 cm (27½ and 28½ in). During the early 16th century, the average length approached closer to 60 cm (23½ in). By the late 16th century, the average length returned to approximately 73 cm (28½ in). The katana was often paired with a similar smaller companion sword, such as a ''wakizashi'' or it could also be worn with the ''tantō'', a smaller, similarly shaped dagger. The pairing of a katana with a smaller sword is called the ''daishō''. Only samurai could wear the daisho: it represented the social power and personal honor of the samurai.〔〔〔 〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「katana」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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