Folded-Steel Katana

The myth

The katana is the long curved sword worn by samurai from the Muromachi period on. Japanese smiths refined tamahagane steel, made in clay furnaces, then folded and hammered it repeatedly, removing impurities and creating thousands of thin layers. They then coated the blade with clay, thicker along the spine, and quenched it in water: the edge became hard and keen and the spine flexible, producing the curve and the hamon line. The sword was seen as a work of art and an almost sacred object, and the smith's work was accompanied by purification rites.

Why it has this power

A Common equipment that gives a Warrior or Beast-Warrior monster +500 ATK and DEF. It is the right blade for close fighters: Momotarō, samurai, ronin, oni and kappa. Cheap and versatile, it turns an ordinary warrior into a real threat, and it stacks with the Code of Bushidō.

Did you know

Tamahagane steel is still made in Japan in a traditional furnace, the tatara, operated a few times a year to supply swordsmiths.

Connections

• In Aiko, Dojo Apprentice's deck
• In Kenji, Kamo River Fisherman's deck

Where to get it

• Daily Offering: 0% per pack (Common 64% per card)
• Welcome Pack: 0.97% per pack (Common 70% per card)
• Traveler's Pack: 0.88% per pack · 5.2% in the themed pack (Common 64% per card)
• Bronze Reliquary: 0.86% per pack · 5.1% in the themed pack (Common 62% per card)
• Silver Reliquary: 0.67% per pack · 4% in the themed pack (Common 49% per card)
• Golden Reliquary: 0.46% per pack · 2.7% in the themed pack (Common 33% per card)
• Daily Showcase: Shows up on about 0.69% of days · 150 gold
• Craft with card dust: 40 dust
• Crossing of Myths: Can be offered as a reward during a crossing (the card stays in the crossing deck).

Sources

1. Sword — Encyclopaedia Britannica — The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
2. Bushido, the Soul of Japan (Project Gutenberg) — Inazo Nitobe
3. Samurai — World History Encyclopedia — Mark Cartwright