Master Sword

The katana, most popularly referred to as the samurai sword, is one of the most famous swords in history. It’s featured in movies, TV, animation series especially in anime or Japanese animation. We are all familiar of the commanding authority that a katana may impose on anybody. It is after all the weapon of Japanese elite military men. They are status symbols and symbols of power in the times of Japan’s feudal age. It is most definitely a master sword.

At the center of it, the katana blade is made of a special alloy of metals. It is a careful combination of high-carbon steel, which gives the sword a distinct strength and cutting ability, and low-carbon steel, which gives it the ability to become flexible and malleable that it absorbs any shocks without breaking the blade.

The combination of metal is hammered and forged into its initial shape before it takes on the process for which it is famous for, folding. The blade is hammered and folded of not more than 16 times, depending on the combination of metals that it has taken on, so that the impurities of the blade and the metals are drawn out and the blade becomes much lighter.

There are also very detailed processes of the katana creation that includes a heating and cooling process that strengthens the blade even further. The blade itself is also adorned with markings that determine the swordsmith who created it or the time when it was made.

The sword also goes through more than on stage of polishing under the hands of a master polisher. There are only certain polishing stones and certain ways and techniques that should be employed with the katana. In fact the polishing process itself is considered an art and is referred to as Togi. The final polishing and glazing process can take from one to three weeks total even in the hands of a master. And after the entire process, the sword is assembled and is now a creation from the hands of masters, a master sword.