Katana, Japan Meiji period, 19th century.
Metal and leather.
Measurements: 99 x 8 x 6 cm.
The katana is a traditional Japanese sword, single-edged, curved, traditionally used by the samurai. It is mainly intended for cutting rather than thrusting. Its curvature arises from the need to obtain an effective cut when wielded from the horse's saddle; the straight blade tends to remain immobilised after the cut, while the curved blade always obtains a cut tangential to the trajectory of the weapon and thus prevents the katana from becoming blocked. The handle, or tsuka, is straight and is always strung. The tsuba (guard) is usually decorated with relief motifs, either figurative or vegetal, and does not protrude excessively from the profile of the handle.