Paul Chen Replica Katana Functional Sword

It has been said that in simplicity lies great beauty, an axiom stunningly validated by the Golden Oriole Katana (1018-GT) and Wakizashi (1019-GT). The story told by the stunning tsuba is of a mantis stealthily stalking the cricket, unaware that he is himself being stalked by the Golden Oriole. The deeply lacquered blue of the saya is repeated in the Japanese cotton tsuka-ito, and the Oriole appears again on the kashira. Unmistakably Hanwei quality, the 14" tsuka of the katana gives a superb balance to the sword, allowing it to move very quickly and very freely. Supplied with a protective cloth bag and traditional maintenance kit. BLADE LENGTH: 28 ¼" HANDLE LENGTH: 14 1/2" OVERALL LENGTH: 42 ¾" WEIGHT: 2lb 11oz

The daishō, is a Japanese term referring to the traditional swords of the samurai. The daishō is composed of the katana and the wakizashi. The etymology of this word becomes apparent when the terms daitō, meaning big sword, and shōtō, meaning small sword, are used; daitō + shōtō = daishō. The katana, the longer of the two swords, was typically employed in man-to-man combat. The wakizashi made an effective main-gauche or close-combat weapon.

The daishō were limited exclusively to the samurai class and were a symbol of their rank. They came into fashion during the Muromachi period. Prior to this, the bow and horse were considered marks of the samurai class and the sword of lesser consequence. It was during this period, too, that the katana switched from a slung weapon with edge down (known as a tachi) to one thrust into the sash with the edge up. This change allowed for a much faster overhead draw while on foot.

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Golden Oriole Daisho Katana Functional Sword SH1018Regular price: $699.99Sale price: $679.99