What Is a Tachi Sword? How It Differs From a Katana

When people think of samurai swords, the katana usually gets all the attention. But before the katana became the iconic weapon of Japan's warrior class, many samurai carried a different sword called the tachi. With its deeper curve, longer shape, and unique way of being worn, the tachi played…

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…