Tag: Kata
Kata: Making a sword pattern
A good to way to learn proper sword sugata, or silhouette, is to make a kata, or pattern, from 1.25-1.5mm thick sheet of mild steel. I bought a full sheet and cut it in about forty 5 cm wide bands of various lengths. The longest tachi won’t usually exceed 100 cm of zen-nagasa (full length,…
Kata – Sword Patterns: Tanto – Aizu Shintogo
Tanto – Aizu Shintogo Shintogo Kunimitsu is known as one of the best swordsmiths to have ever lived, and a master of the tanto. This is a tracing of the Aizu Shintogo, a tanto listed as a Meibutsu. Download this PDF file which provides detailed measurements of the tanto. (right-click on link and save file)…
Kata – Sword Patterns: Kozuka – Kogatana
Kozuka – Kogatana These pocket knives were utilitarian first and foremost. They were inserted into a sword scabbard’s side, through the guard. Kozuka (small tsuka) refers to the hilt of the knife, whereas kogatana (small katana) refers to the actual knife itself. Download this PDF file which provides detailed measurements of a classic kogatana. (right-click…