Katana
A katana is a slightly curved sword created for and popularized by the samurai of Tian Xia; its closest analog in the Inner Sea region is the longsword. Many samurai specialize in fighting styles centered around the combination of a katana and wakizashi, naginata, or longbow.[1]
Katanas are forged using a distinct process and several types of steel. While most trained combatants can use a katana—which typically measures about 3¼ feet in length and weighs about 6 pounds—with two hands, it takes extensive training to wield one in a single hand.[2] A matched set of a katana and wakizashi is known as a daisho.[3]
Variants
The double walking stick katana, despite its name, conceals two swords more similar in length to the shorter wakizashi.[4]
An unknown tengu bladesmith cleverly created a magical, non-lethal wooden katana known as a dueling bokken for practice.[5]
On Golarion
The katana is a symbol in several Tian deities, nations, and organizations, including:
- Shizuru, Tian goddess of the sun and swordplay, who favors the katana and whose holy symbol is a katana in front of the sun[6]
- Zo, the Minatan pirate clan whose flag is a katana on a blood-red field[7]
Unique katanas
Jeratakra, a legendary katana made by Swordmaster Tsing Xiao, was part of the Pharaoh of Blades's great collection of swords.[8]
Suishen, an intelligent katana and heirloom of the Amatatsu family, was sold to a trader some time around 4650 AR.[9]
References
For additional resources, see the Meta page.
- ↑ Jason Bulmahn, et al. (2011). Ultimate Combat, p. 19. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-359-0
- ↑ Jason Bulmahn, et al. (2011). Ultimate Combat, p. 131. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-359-0
- ↑ Jason Bulmahn, et al. (2011). Ultimate Combat, p. 134. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-359-0
- ↑ Jason Bulmahn, et al. (2011). Ultimate Combat, p. 132. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-359-0
- ↑ Benjamin Bruck, et al. (2015). Inner Sea Races, p. 226. Paizo Inc. ISBN 978-1-60125-722-2
- ↑ James Jacobs, Dave Gross, Rob McCreary. (2011). Dragon Empires Gazetteer, p. 62. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-379-8
- ↑ James Jacobs, Dave Gross, Rob McCreary. (2011). Dragon Empires Gazetteer, p. 56. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-379-8
- ↑ Wolfgang Baur, Adam Daigle, Jeff Erwin, and F. Wesley Schneider. (2012). Lost Kingdoms, p. 19. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-415-3
- ↑ Greg A. Vaughan. (2011). Night of Frozen Shadows. Night of Frozen Shadows, p. 14. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-366-8 Year estimated from publication date.