A warrior would be nothing without their weapon, which is why we’ll be doing a series of deep dives into the traditional Japanese weapons that will feature in Die by the Blade!
To kick off our “Choose Your Weapon” series, we’ll be taking a closer look at one of the core weapons in the game: the katana.
To start off, what exactly is a katana?
What It Is
A katana is a Japanese sword with a curved, single-edged blade and a circular or squared guard. Its long grip is designed so that it can comfortably be held with two hands. While people around the world will be familiar with the katana almost immediately thanks to its role in popular culture, in Japan this type of sword is officially known as an uchigatana, with the word katana more often being used to refer to any type of single-edged sword from around the world!
Where It Came From
The use of longer weapons such as the katana became commonplace in feudal Japan towards the beginning of the Muromachi period (1336-1573). Unlike the tachi, which had been the weapon of choice for samurai of the past, the katana was worn in a belt-like sash known as an obi with the sharpened edge facing up, rather than facing down. This meant that a well-trained samurai could draw their sword and strike a killing blow all in one single motion 💀
Throughout Japanese history, the role of the katana changed, from a deadly weapon to a work of art. Sword fittings would be made with luxurious black lacquer and ornately inlaid with delicate etchings. To this day, the katana occupies a dual role in Japanese culture as both a powerful tool within martial arts and a ceremonial item of unparalleled beauty.
In Popular Culture
From comic books and anime to films and video games, the katana is by far the most widely known and featured amongst all traditional Japanese weapons 🗡️
Whether you were first introduced to the katana while watching Seven Samurai or it sliced its way into your life thanks to Leonardo from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, chances are you’ve come across this noble blade.
Who is your favourite katana-wielding character?
Let us know in the comments 💬
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1154670/Die_by_the_Blade/
Don’t forget to join our Discord server and follow us on social media at @dbtbgame for the latest gameplay footage, screenshots, and updates on Die by the Blade ⚔️
