How did the invention of the Katana sword in fuedal Japan affect it? -

How did the invention of the Katana sword affect fuedal Japan s military, culture, and daily life? (How would Japan have been affected if the Katana had not been invented?)

They would just have invented another kind of sword. What really affected feudal Japan was the lack of metal. That s why every sword was considered a work of art (they couldn t afford to make average swords) and why they were reserved to an elite.

There was no huge thing that came about with the invention of the katana (Then: tachi) aside from the fact that it proved to be more effective in battle. As armor became more sturdy, a different type of sword was needed. The straight single edge blades were not holding up. Thus, the curved, differentially hardened version of the tachi came about. The hard edge had great bite and edge holding capabilities, while the softer, more springy back allowed for more give...rather than more quot;snapquot;. Towards the end of the Muromachi period (into the Sengoku), the tachi (which had been slung from cords, edge down) evolved into the uchigatana (i.e. Katana. Placed in the belt edge up, rather than slung edge down). This did not effect Japan any more than the develpoment of the kimono/waribakama (trouser-style hakama) fashion. The morals, the honor to elders, the code of bushido...and the bushi in general...all predate the katana. In fact, morals and respect to elders, as well as the fighting spirit predate Japan. The tachi revolutionized Japanese warfare by providing a new, more superior sword to the last that swordsmanship and tactics could evolve upon. The uchigatana only changed the image. (As a side note, swords were not reserved for the elite. At one time, even the more wealthy farmers had katana. The swords were reserved for those with money, until the end of the Momoyama period, I believe. Steel was not a rare resource. Iron was abundant, as can be seen from the amount of iron cookware and decorations through Japanese history. All steel is is purified iron infused with carbon, a process covered by baking the iron in the tatara with charcoal. Difficult, yes, but not so hard as to make it rare.)

Well basically everything was based around it. The courtisy, the highly valued respect for elders, the training of one s inner strength, and other things too. Without it, I dont think Japan would be like what it is now. I do kendo, a sport that came into play when samuris practiced, and I ve done it for almost 9 years now, and it is my life. So I m really glad they invented the katana. :]