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                          Japan has a history that dates back thousands of years where scientists believe the Japanese people descended from many groups that migrated to the islands from other parts of Asia, including China and Korea. 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.

                                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 wore two swords (daisho). One was long; the other short. The long sword (daito - katana) was more than 24 inches long. 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 warrior ship. The oldest swords were straight and had their early design in Korea and China. The Samurai's desire for tougher, sharper swords for battle as well as horse mounted attacks gave rise to the curved blade we still have today.