Original Japanese 17th Century Edo Period Katana Sword by SHODAI HIZEN TADAYOSHI (1st Gen) with Partial Damaged Fittings

Original Item: Only One Available. The Japanese Katana (刀 or かたな) is a sword characterized by a curved, single-edged blade with a circular or squared guard and long grip to accommodate two hands. The design is iconic, and probably one of the best known sword styles in the world, easily identifiable even in silhouette. The official term for katana in Japan is uchigatana (打刀) and the term katana (刀) often refers to single-edged swords from around the world. Developed later than the tachi, it was used by samurai in feudal Japan and worn with the edge facing upward. After the Meiji Restoration, its used became much less widespread, however when Imperial Japan developed large ambitions, the Katana once again returned as a sign of prestige and rank. After the war, many were brought home by returning U.S. servicemen, which how most that we see ended up in the United States. This example dates from the very early Edo period (江戸時代, Edo jidai) or Tokugawa period (徳川時代, Tokugawa jidai) of Japanes