Sword History, an Overview
With the definition of sword as a weapon with a long blade set into a hilt, then obviously clubs, spears, and axes predated swords because the latter would have been much easier to make.  Although early swords were made of wood, bone, and stone, it was metal that really made swords possible.
 
The earliest metal swords were short swords. These were single-handed, double-edged swords, very wide at the hilt and were good for slicing and thrusting. The Greek swords (phasganon and xiphos) tended to have leaf blades (slightly wider before the tip) while the Roman swords tended to have straight blades. The most famous short sword was the gladius:  standard issue for the Roman Empire. This was probably the longest lasting version of the sword. The Roman Empire spread, the shorter gladius (which favored cutting) spawned a longer version called the spatha (which favored thrusting).
 
The continental Asian "barbarians" were renowned for their sabers and scimitars: the single-handed, single-edged swords with curved blades that were good for slicing and thrusting, esp. while on horse-back. Interestingly enough the Asians were also known for their recurved weapons, like kopis, falcatas, and kukris, as well as other blade curvatures such as kriss
(flamberge).
 
Japan spent centuries in isolation perfecting variations of their single-edged blades. Japanese blades were measured in shaku (10 sun or 100 bu or 11.93 inches or 30.30 cm). The nagasa (blade length) is the straight line between the tip (kissaki) and where false edge shoulder of the blade (munemachi).  There were 3 categories of length: daito (longer swords, over 2 shaku), shoto (aka wakizashi; kodachi. Shorter swords 1-2 shaku), and tanto (knives, less than 1 shaku). Only the samurai were allowed to have daisho, the 2 sword set; everyone else was limited to shoto.
 
The most common daito is the katana (aka uchigatana or buke-zukuri style), these were worn edge up in the obi (belt).  Another common kind of daito were classified as tachi and were suspended by hangers on the saya (scabbard). The daito are considered hand-and-a-half swords and were usually curved.
 
The European "barbarians" were renowned for their Scandinavian or Viking swords: the single-handed, double-edged swords with straight blades that were good for hacking and thrusting, but were very similar to the spatha. Later lighter versions of this sword design were called riding swords. Many single-handed swords with straight across quillons were also called cruciform swords not only to describe the cross-shape but also to reinforce the dominance of Christianity. 
 
The Middle Ages saw the rise of several famous kinds swords.  The fantastic two-handed swords (aka great swords) were rare.  The long sword (aka hand-and-a-half sword (Spada da Una Mano e Mezza in Italian) or bastard sword) arose in the 1200s. The long swords were double-edged blades that gradually changed from straight swords to more tapered blades that could be used to pierce the evolving armor (chain to plate). Long swords were war swords, working swords: thick and sturdy. They were made so not only because they dealt with blows and bones, arms and armor, but also because war swords were expensive, difficult to make, and thus expected to survive more than one battle.
 
With such an image, swords also acquired another purpose: they became symbols. The noblemen, the warrior class started wearing swords when unarmored, when in civilian dress. The powerful merchants then started wearing swords too as symbols of power and for the sake of fashion. Duels, which had once been a means to settle disputes between nobles, started spreading to civilians. The art of defense (hence "fencing") became ubiquitous. The sport of fencing was being formed. Thus the sword evolved from use in battle to use duels and sport.
 
In the late 1400s longer and more slender versions of the cruciform sword were starting to appear in Southern Europe called the side sword (Spada da Lato in Italian). These swords were made for two reasons: 1. Armor improved so thrusting was favored over cutting. 2. Such a sword was more convenient for civilians. Marxbruder of Frankfurt was founded in 1480 as one
of the earliest fencing guilds. The known masters of the side sword include Achille Marozzo and Angelo Viggiani.   
 
The 1500s saw the further development of the rapier (Spada da Lato a Striscia or striscia in Italian). One possible origin of the word "rapier" is from "espada ropera", Spanish for "robe sword" or "dress sword". Pre-rapiers and rapiers started providing more hand protection because civilians, duelists, and sportsmen were generally unarmored. Finger rings were added, then more elaborate quillons, side bars, sweeping bars, cup hilts, and eventually saber guards in later centuries. In 1570 Frenchman Henri Saint-Didier named fencing's major movements
and most of those names have survived into modern times.  Italian masters such as Camillo Agrippa, Giacomo di Grassi, Salvatore Fabris, and Capo Ferro developed pragmatic systems, introducing innovations such as basic guards, the cone of defense, linear fencing, parrying, and the lunge.
 
Of course cutting swords did not disappear. The Scottish in particular have two distinctive contributions. The claymore was a two-handed, double-edged sword with distinctively downward sloping cross guards that was used from the 1300s to the 1700s.  The 1500s saw the development of the Scottish basket-hilt sword: a single-handed, double-edged sword that enclosed the hand in a metal basket hilt that often has leather or cloth as well. The basket-hilt protected the hand, counter balanced the blade, and was decorative as well. The Scottish basket-hilt sword is also sometimes called a "Claymore" and was popularly used through to the 1700s.
 
The 1600s saw the peak of the rapier, culminating in the longest and safest rapiers yet: the Spanish cup-hilt rapiers. Spanish masters such as Don Luis Pacheco de Narvaez and Girard Thibault d'Anvers developed complicated, geometric, and mystical system.  Guns were becoming the main weapon of war. Sword were being reduced as devices for tradition and sport. The rapier started getting lighter and shorter.
 
In the 1700s dueling and sport fencing was undergoing refinements.  Single stick fencing (fencing with wooden sticks) was practiced.  The rapier had evolved into the lighter and shorter small sword and its practice sword: the foil. The foil had a flattened ("foiled") tip, hence the name. The safety tip resembled a flower bud, thus in France the practice small sword became known as le fleuret. Rules were developed that limited the target areas. The wire-mesh mask was developed. These French small sword schools (salles) formed the basis of modern fencing theory.
 
By 1800s, in order to reduce the number of fatalities in duels, the small sword lost its cutting edge all together and became the dueling sword (Spanish epee de terrain) and its practice sword: the epee. By the late 1800s practicing for swung swords such as backswords, sabers, and cutlasses went from using heavy sticks or heavy metal swords to a safer saber systems such as the Italian sciabola di terro and the German schlager.
 
The late 1800s is considered by some to be the period of "Classical Fencing", a transitional period between the preceding "historical fencing" and the following "modern competitive sport fencing".
 
In 1896 the first modern Olympic games added foil and saber fencing events for men. In 1900 the games added epee. In 1904, the games featured single stick! In 1924 the games added women's foil. 1936, 1956, and 1988 the games electrified epee, foil, and saber respectively. In 1989 the game featured women's epee. In 1996 the games added women's epee. Women's saber is scheduled to be added to the games in 2004. Olympic Style Fencing (OSF) is one of the few sports that has been contested in all of the Olympic games.
 
The introduction of shinai (bamboo practice swords) and bogu (kendo armor) has been attributed to  Naganuma Sirozaemon Kunisato (1688/1767). However modern kendo took hold
in Japan in the late 1800s.
 
There is a current movement to explore swordsmanship as it was before it became sports oriented. This is the basis of historical swordplay. There are multiple reasons for studying historical swordplay:
 
To recover old swordsmanship knowledge before it is lost. In particular, the old texts must be found, translated, photographed, distributed, and evaluated. The texts must be tested by physically trying the techniques to truly understand the material. To develop new swordsmanship knowledge. Military resources went towards developing guns, rifles, artillery, etc. The sword was left for enthusiasts and sportsmen. Old material should be challenged by new material and vice versa. To answer the question "What if it were sharp?", instead of "How do I score more points?" A sword is a weapon first most. There is nothing wrong with sports such as OSF (Olympic Style
Fencing) and Judo, but some people are compelled to study their more martial arts oriented ancestors, historical swordplay and Jujitsu respectively. To answer the question "What if I run out of bullets?" and "What if guns and bullets became unavailable?". Of course there are many alternates to the gun beside the sword, but it should be explored nonetheless. For fun and exercise. Of course there are many other activities besides historical swordplay that can be done for fun and exercise, but historical swordplay has its own identity, its own flavor. Historical swordplay also has a distinctive and varied social mix. To celebrate, explore, and commemorate the sword, a well respected weapon with great cultural and historical richness.

Samurai Sword History
The samurai sword, made from the heat and pounding of the skilled artisans, these weapons of single destruction bring homage and honor to the warrior that carries them. The samurai sword is priceless as it is one and the same with the warrior class that has defined the ultimate Zen Master of Feudal Japan.
 
Japan has a history that dates back thousands of years. Scientists believe the Japanese people descended from many groups that migrated to the islands from other parts of Asia, including China and Korea. As early as 4500 B.C., the Japanese islands were inhabited by fishermen, hunters and farmers. The early culture was known as "Jomon," which meant "cord pattern." That's because the people made pottery decorated with rope-like designs. Scientists believe a Caucasian race called the "Ainu" were the first inhabitants of what is now Japan. The Ainu still exist today, mostly in the northernmost islands of Japan called "Hokkaido." The next major Japanese cultural changed occurred about 200 B.C. The people were known as "Yayoi." The Yayoi were mostly farmers. Scientists believe the present-day Japanese closely resemble the Yayoi in appearance and language.
 
War played a central part in the history of Japan. Warring clans controlled much of the country. A chief headed each clan; made up of related families. The chiefs were the ancestors of Japan's imperial family.  The wars were usually about "land." Only 20% of the land was fit for farming. The struggle for control of that land eventually gave rise to the  Samurai.  One of the important dates in the history of the Japanese warring class is  660 B.C. That's when, according to legend, Jimmu Tenno became head of a confederation of warlike clans. Tenno was known as "The Divine Warrior."  He led his people from Kyushu to the Kinki region and conquered the people there. Tenno settled in the area of Yamato. This eventually gave rise to the Yamato dynasty and state. The leaders of Yamato believed themselves to be of divine origin. The Yamato clans conducted many military campaigns on the Asian mainland. The targets included Korea and China. These campaigns led to the importation of Korean and Chinese culture, technology and
martial arts. Legend says that Emperor Keiko was the first person with the  title of "Shogun." The word meant "Barbarian-subduing General." Legend continues that Keiko had a son named "Prince Yamato." He was cunning, fearless, strong and a great martial artist. Many believe that Yamato was a role model for future Samurai.
 
Ancient Yayoi warriors developed weapons, armor and a code during the ensuing centuries that became the centerpiece for the Japanese Samurai.  Early weapons included bows, arrows and swords. Armor included a helmet that protected head and neck, a breastplate that protected the chest, arm and shoulder protectors, and a belly wrap. Later armor included protection for the legs and thighs. Armor changed as the type of battles changed. A big change occurred in the 5th century when horses were introduced to Japan. Another change occurred in the 15th century because of the constancy of war and the introduction of guns into battle. The code developed from the Chinese concept of the virtues of warriors doing battle to the Samurai code of chivalry known as Kyuba no michi ("The Way of Horse and Bow") to the Bushido ("Way of the Warrior") code.
 
"Bushido" was at the heart of the beliefs and conduct of the Samurai. The philosophy of Bushido is "freedom from fear." It meant that the Samurai transcended his fear of death. That gave him the peace and power to serve his master faithfully and loyally and die well if necessary. "Duty" is a primary philosophy of the Samurai.
 
The Samurai rose out of the continuing battles for land among three main clans: the Minamoto, the Fujiwara and the Taira. The Samurai eventually became a class unto themselves between the 9th and 12th centuries A.D. They were called by two names: Samurai (knights-retainers) and Bushi (warriors). Some of them were related to the ruling class. Others were hired men. They gave complete loyalty to their Daimyo (feudal landowners) and received land and position in return. Each Daimyo used his Samurai to protect his land and to expand his power and rights to more land. The Samurai became expert in fighting from horseback and on the ground. They practiced armed and un-armed combat. The early Samurai emphasized fighting with the bow and arrow. They used swords for close-in fighting and beheading their enemies. Battles with the Mongol in the late 13th century led to a change in the Samurai's fighting style. They began to
use their sword more and also made more use of spears and naginata. The Samurai slowly changed from fighting on horseback to fighting on foot.  The Samurai wore two swords (daisho). One was long; the other short. The long sword (daito - katana) was more than 24 inches. The short sword (shoto - wakizashi) was between 12 and 24 inches. The Samurai often gave names to their swords and believed it was the "soul" of their warriorship.  The oldest swords were straight and had their early design in Korea and China.  The Samurai's desire for tougher, sharper swords for battle gave rise to the curved blade we still have today. The sword had its beginning as iron combined with carbon. The sword smith used fire, water, anvil and hammer to
shape the world's best swords. After forging the blade, the sword polisher did his work to prepare the blade for the "furniture" that surrounded it. Next, the sword tester took the new blade and cut through the bodies of corpses or condemned criminals. They started by cutting through the small bones of the body and moved up to the large bones. Test results were often recorded on the nakago (the metal piece attaching the sword blade to the handle).  Japanese samurai warriors were ranked at the top of the Japanese social hierarchy for hundreds of years until 19th century. Shogun were the most powerful samurai who ruled Japan at the time.
 
The medieval swords of Japan was typically a long, straight or slightly curved blade having 2 two cutting edges set into a hilt or tang. There are many tang types. There is the full tang, the encapsulated tang, the rat tail tang, the half push tang, the half tang and the full push tang. The
full tang is best because it will give your sword the most stability when making full contact. The sword was the samurai warrior's most treasured weapon. It was a part of him. Swords were awarded as medals and some Samurai's even died to retrieve a treasured sword for their Shogun.
 
 

Katana Origins
The katana is the Japanese sabre or longsword daito, although many Japanese use this word generically as a catch-all word for sword. Katana (pronounced "ka-ta-na")refers to a specific type of curved, single-edged sword traditionally used by the Japanese samurai. The weapon was typically paired with the wakizashi, a similarly made but shorter sword both worn by the members of the buke (bushi) warrior class, it could also be worn with the tanto, an even smaller similarly shaped blade. The two weapons together were called the daisho, and represented the social power and personal honor of the samurai (buke retainers to the daimyo). The long blade was meant for cutting, while the shorter blade was reserved for stabbing purposes and for the purpose of commiting seppuku, a form of ritual suicide. In fact, seppuku was a right reserved for samurai in order to preserve their honor by taking their own life should the need arise, and therefore the short sword was only carried by employed samurai, and not by masterless samurai (or ronin). The scabbard for a katana is referred to as a saya, and the handguard piece, often intricately designed as individual works of art especially in later years of the Edo period, was called the tsuba.
 
It is primarily used for cutting (although the chisel-like tip, called the kissaki, allows for thrusting) and can be wielded one- or two-handed, the latter being the most common mode. It is traditionally worn edge up. While the practical arts for using the sword for its original purpose are now somewhat obsolete, kenjutsu has turned into gendai budo — modern martial arts for a modern time. The art of drawing the katana is iaido (also known as batto-jutsu or iaijutsu), and kendo is an art of fencing with a shinai (bamboo sword) protected by helmet and armour, additionally, iaijutsu is an older style of battle field type fencing. Old koryu sword schools do still exist (Kashima Shinto-ryu, Kashima Shin-ryu, Katori Shinto-ryu).   Perhaps one of the more famous types of Japanese fencing was "Nitto Ryu" or the use of both the Katana and Wakizashi in tandem; a technique most famously used by Miyamoto Musashi.