The soujiyi is one of Japan’s most revered swords, revered for both its beauty and exceptional sharpness. Learn more about its rich history!

A katana’s superior cutting prowess can be attributed to exquisite craftsmanship. Every element, from its special steel composition and tempering process, has been expertly designed for maximum strength and resilience.

Jokoto

Before the development of the katana and wakizashi, Japanese sword makers employed continental-style straight blades known as Jokoto. These blades were produced in both hira-zukuri and kiriha-zukuri styles and forge using “ayasugi,” an intricate forging technique which produces their distinctive wavy patterns known as hamon.

Katanas from this period are distinguished by the presence of an extended chu-kissaki that resembles the hoof of a horse, known as “chu-kissaki tenka.” Long in length and usually used by cavalry troops as cavalry swords.

One unique trait of katana from this period is their use of high-carbon steel and low-carbon steel combined to produce an extremely sharp yet strong blade, capable of cutting through armor or bone without difficulty. It was an icon of Japanese culture and history; one which gave samurais their legendary strength.

Kotetsu

Kotetsu has won over many Demon Slayer fans with his cheerful personality and devotion to his friends, as well as his courage during Gyokko’s attack on swordsmith village, risking his own life to save Muichiro from Gyokko’s attack on it.

Nagasone Kotetsu was a swordsmith renowned for his expertise in gunome hamon. Born in Echizen and beginning his career as an armor maker before turning his attention towards sword making at fifty, he is considered one of the greatest Shinto swordsmiths ever.

Kotetsu may be an ESTP. He is energetic and social, yet can also be reckless and impulsive at times. Kotetsu displays strong moral principles and an intuitive sense of justice which are typical characteristics of an ESTP’s Feeling function; his strong loyalty towards those weaker than himself indicates that he may possess Type 1’s Self-Righteousness function.

Kissaki-Moroha-Zukuri

Kissaki-moroha-zukuri blades were first created when blacksmiths introduced a stronger yet less flexible type of steel into their blade making process, leading to more prominent ridge lines on backside while keeping tip curved shape unchanged resulting in blade that could bend and cut sharply at same time, and it is believed this combination made Katana easier for use than either Hirazukuri or Seppazukuri styles.

Kogarasu Maru was the first known example of this style katana to be created and can now be seen in Japan’s Imperial collection. Saeko Busujima from Highschool of the Dead used a Murata Tsuneyoshi gunto from Meiji Japan that is similar to Kogarasu Maru. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice also uses one that looks similar; Sekiro’s black Gunto is Kissaki-moroha-zukuri double edged Kissaki-moroha-zukuri double edged Kissaki-moroha-zukuri double edged Kissaki-moroha-zukuri double edged double edged Murata-tou.

Kanmuriotoshi-zukuri was an additional variation on this blade style that featured an extremely narrow back edge that gradually expanded at its point, frequently seen on wakizashis and tantos.

Miyamoto Musashi

Miyamoto Musashi, more popularly known by his Buddhist moniker Niten Doraku, was an esteemed Japanese swordsman, philosopher, strategist, writer and ronin (masterless samurai). He established Niten Ichi-ryu swordsmanship style while writing The Book of Five Rings–an insightful treatise on combat strategy, tactics and philosophy.

Musashi went unbeaten in 60 duels between 1604 and 1613. He used a wooden sword against real ones and relied heavily on psychology and strategy in order to defeat his adversaries.

Musashi was well known for his unorthodox combat techniques and belief that being a warrior meant more than simply defeating opponents; rather it should mean expanding one’s understanding of their surroundings. His legend has inspired numerous warriors, with Magic: The Gathering featuring an Isshin (Two Heavens as One). Furthermore he appears as playable character in Onimusha Blade Warriors (2008) video game as well.