The Many Different Types of Japanese Swords

Types of Japanese swords can be confusing when a new collector is looking to purchase different swords for their weaponry collection. There are several different sword types to choose, and they can all be very daunting in the beginning. However, once the collector begins to understand the differences between the Japanese swords, they will be able to identify them easily.

Japanese swords were traditionally used for fighting, and there are several different types of Japanese swords according to style, design, shape and size. The manufacturing techniques and level of skill behind the sword making will also determine the sword types. Traditionally all Japanese swords would be classified as Katana swords. However, these are also a class on their own, and Samurai Katana swords are very popular to own.
There are several varieties of the Katana available, and collectors and martial arts specialists will need to know the differences between the swords. The historic Katana has a curved, single edged blade and is traditionally held with two hands. The distinctive, long handle allows for a better grip as the blade is incredibly long. These sword types are associated with the Samurai soldiers of Feudal, which battled in the 15th century.
The Tachi Sword is slightly longer than the traditional Katana and is more curved in appearance. These types of Japanese swords would have been used by the warriors on horseback, who needed to draw their swords quickly. Although many novice collectors mistake this sword for the Samurai, the blades are made differently and have distinctive differences.

The Wakizashi sword has a traditional shoto blade, which measures on average between 30 and 60 centimeters. These sword types are very similar in style to the Katana; however, they are far shorter and are often used as a dagger. Warriors would carry both the Wakizashi and a Katana into battle allowing them to have two different weapons.
The Nodachi sword is one of the largest types of Japanese swords, and was the style which was chosen for the battle fields. They are very similar in appearance to the Tachi sword; however, they are far longer and sturdier in style and design. The distinct length of the Nodachi swords made them ideal for battling outside; however, they were often too long for combats indoors.

The Shin Gunto Sword types were the chosen weaponry of Japanese warriors, and were considered part of the uniform. The officers of the Imperial Japanese Army choose these types of Japanese swords to use in battle. The speed of the fights in Japan were incredibly quick, and the design of all of the different types of Japanese swords allowed for as much damage to be done to a person in a very short space of time.