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The Odachi Masayoshi forged by bladesmith Sanke Masayoshi, dated 1844. The blade length is 225.43 cm (88.75 in) and the tang is 92.41 cm (36.38 in). An ōdachi (大太刀, large/great sword) or nodachi (野太刀, field sword) [4] [5] [6] is a type of traditionally made Japanese sword (日本刀, nihontō) [7] [8] used by the samurai class of feudal Japan.
The nagamaki was a long sword with a blade that could be 60 cm (24 in) or more and a handle of about equal length to the blade. [3] The blade was single-edged, resembling a naginata blade, but the handle (tsuka) of the nagamaki was not a smooth-surfaced wooden shaft as in the naginata; it was made more like a katana hilt.
Katana can also be known as dai or daitō among Western sword enthusiasts, although daitō is a generic name for any Japanese long sword, literally meaning "big sword". [10] As Japanese does not have separate plural and singular forms, both katanas and katana are considered acceptable forms in English. [11]
As of 2008, only 100,000 swords remain in Japan. It is estimated that 250,000–350,000 sword have been brought to other nations as souvenirs, art pieces or for Museum purposes. 70% of daito (long swords), formerly owned by Japanese officers, have been exported or brought to the United States. [95]
The original Sword of State of South Carolina (early 18th century) was used from 1704 to 1941, when it was stolen. [62] [63] A replacement Sword of State of South Carolina (1800) was used between 1941 and 1951. It was a cavalry sword from the Charleston Museum and was used in the War of 1812 and the American Civil War. [62]
The name came from a legend that one night flaws on the blade were repaired by fireflies. [4] [5] The ōdachi is also known as Aso no Hotarumaru (阿蘇の蛍丸) since it was kept as a treasure of the Aso Shrine. [6] The ōdachi was designated an Important Cultural Property of Japan (then-National Treasure) on December 14, 1931. [3]
The 30 cm to 60 cm (11.8 inches to 23.6 inches) naginata blade is forged in the same manner as traditional Japanese swords. The blade has a long tang which is inserted in the shaft. The blade is removable and is secured by means of a wooden peg called mekugi (目釘) that passes through a hole in both the tang and the shaft. The shaft ranges ...
These ancient Japanese swords are also known as jokotō (上古刀, ancient sword). [8] chōken (長剣, long sword) – Commonly used as a calque for the broadest definition of (European) long swords. chōtō (長刀, lit. long sword) – either a nagakatana (due to long blade) or a naginata (due to long handle). [9]