What Is a Tanto Knife? The Samurai's Short Blade Explained

When most people think about samurai weapons, they picture a long curved katana or perhaps a shorter wakizashi carried at the waist. But another important blade in Japanese history is the tanto, a compact weapon that was often carried for utility, close-range defense, and everyday practicalit…

What Is a Wakizashi? The Samurai's Companion Sword

When most people think of samurai swords, they picture a katana with its long curved blade and iconic shape. But many samurai actually carried a second sword called a wakizashi, a shorter blade that served an important role in everyday life and combat. Often worn alongside a katana, the wakiz…

What Are Rebreakable Boards and How Do They Work?

If you have ever watched a martial arts demonstration or belt test, chances are you have seen someone break a board with a punch, kick, elbow, or strike. While traditional wooden boards are still common, many martial arts schools now use rebreakable boards for training because they can be use…

Samurai Sword vs Katana: What's the Difference?

A lot of people use the terms samurai sword and katana interchangeably, but they are not always exactly the same thing. If you have ever wondered whether every samurai sword is a katana or if there is actually a difference between the two, you are definitely not alone. Movies, video ga…