The journey of the Japanese sword

The article concentrates on the history of Japanese swords and their travel from Asian fields of battle to the popular culture of the Western world. The author presents the main characteristics of the Japanese sword and how it evolved from the ancient straight form borrowed from Chinese specimens to the recognized curved and single-edged weapon of the samurai. The article outlines the important role of the sword in Japanese culture and conquests and discusses how other countries learnt about the qualities of a katana. Subsequently, the process of popularization and usage of Japanese swords in the modern world is described.