subject: Japanese Samurai Swords: Extension Of Honor, Ego And Pride [print this page] Japanese Samurai Swords: Extension Of Honor, Ego And Pride
Japanese samurai swords are revered and worshipped all over the world amongst avid sword collectors. The samurai swords are not only symbols of military aristocracy of the warriors of feudal Japan, these are icons of prestige and pride as well. These are considered much more than mere swords. These are generally referred to as the "Soul of the Samurai". However, after the World War II, the US government has ordered to collect the swords for their artistic values only. The first Japanese samurai swords used to be straight bladed, single edged weapons. At the end of the 8th century, these were replaced by the curved bladed swords, Tachi. The warriors started to prefer the latter ones because those provided a more effective cutting angle and could be drawn from the scabbard more swiftly. Some of the popular types of Japanese samurai swords are- * Tanto: These are very small knives and are used indoors by warriors for better maneuverability. * Wakizashi: These types of swords measure between twelve and twenty-four inches. These are usually worn by samurais in indoor establishments and for better maneuverability indoors. * Katana: These are the longest types of swords, measuring over twenty-four inches. These are generally used for outdoor combats. The Japanese samurai swords are considered to be one of the three most valuable treasures of the country. In the early 3 B.C. these were also offered to the Gods. The swords were said to posses the three critical holy elements- rarity, purity and value. The swords later became the code of the warriors. The most treasured and sacred possession to a samurai is his sword. It is not just a mere item of defense, but it is something far greater. Not only his soul gets purified, it also teaches him discipline. These are regarded with the highest levels of respect because of their symbolism of bravery and heritage. If you are interested in collecting Japanese samurai swords, log onto Swordandaxe.com. Here you will get information about each type offered for sale. All come at reasonable prices. They offer you the finest quality, fully functional and battle ready katana swords. Each piece is made by renowned forgers like Cas Hanwei, United Cutlery, Cold Steel, and so on. From the year 2000, they produced superb quality handmade weapons and swords. The swords they now offer combine superb metal working techniques to produce the finest quality forge built authentic weapons.
