In the twelfth century the favoured style of blade was the Tachi, which was slug by 2 hangers on the left side of the person edge down. This positioning allowed the samurai to draw the blade from groin to head. Later the style of battle evolved and the katana replaced the tachi as the preferd weapon. The Tachi remains in use but in a smaller capacity. The golden age of blade making (1294 to 1427) this was also the golden age of the Tachi

The tachi was more often seen on the warlords and generals as a highly decorated blade showing their position and power in society. They also favoured it for practical reasons the blade was more curved and made it more effective for them to cut downwards from horseback on to their enemy’s. Where as the average samurai would be fighting on foot. Continue reading »