What is the correct way to hold a katana?

Hold the katana in front of you so it’s perpendicular to the ground. Keep your dominant hand 1 inch (2.5 cm) from the top of the handle, and wrap your fingers and thumb so they’re on opposite sides of the handle. Place your nondominant hand at the bottom of the handle before wrapping your fingers and thumb around it.

Which hand do you hold a katana?

You have to grip the katana with your right hand at like 2cm from the Tsuba, the left hand should be like 1–2cm from the kashira.

Why do samurai hold their swords upside down?

One reason may have been to protect the edge. Katanas have a very hard edge which, due to complex structure of the blade, cannot be resharpened indefinitely. At the same time, hardness means that it is easy to damage. As a result, wearing it upside-down helps protect the edge.

Which side do you wear a sword?

Therefore, the sword or saber is worn on the left side of the body and draw by the right hand reaching across the body. This is necessary to allow for the length of the blade and drawing a sword worn on the right side with the right hand is an extremely awkward movement.

Can a katana be wielded one handed?

Yes, the katana can, and must be, used with one hand. It is considered a two handed weapon but the initial draw must be with a single hand.

How do you fight with a katana?

1) Position your hands at the top and bottom of the handle. Hold the katana in front of you so it’s perpendicular to the ground. 2) Stand in front of your target so you can reach it with the end of your blade. 3) Hold the blade above your head so it’s near parallel to the ground. Keep your elbows slightly bent as you raise the blade over your head. 4) Push the top of the handle forward to help the blade arc. 5) Step forward as you bring the blade down toward the target. 6) Slice into the target at a 45-degree angle. Slightly turn your hands to readjust the angle of the blade as you’re about to make contact with your target. 7) Swing the blade horizontally from your side for a mid-level attack. 8) Tilt the blade upside-down to strike from below. Position the katana so it’s at a 45-degree angle pointing toward the ground behind you and the cutting edge faces forward.

Can a katana be used with one hand?

Generally, katana is designed for cutting, but it was widely used for stabbing too. This depended mainly on the length of the tang (the handle). The katana could be easily used for cutting if it was made for using with both hands. It was used for stabbing when the katana was made for using with one hand.

What is the average cost of a katana sword?

Indeed, the starting real katana price for a bona fide sword made in Japan (called a “Nihonto” or “Shinken”, meaning “Japan sword” and “real sword” accordingly) is around US$4,000 – such as the one shown below which was made in 2015 (a second hand “Shinsakuto” – sword made in the modern period after WWII) and costs just a tad over $4,400.

Can you block with a katana?

The katana is not intended to block, and may chip upon impact because of the edge being made of hard steel. The only way in which you would damage the cutting edge is by blocking with the cutting edge. Blocking with a katana is done by using the mune or back of the blade.