A Japanese sword, or a nihontō, is a traditional sword or bladed weapon of Japan. They are categorized into several types according to their size and built. The most commonly known type is the katana, along with similar built tachi, is a single-edged, usually curved, long sword traditionally used by the samurai since the 1400s; Wakizashi as the shorter sword; Tsurugi are double-edged long swords; Ōtachi or Nodachi are older but longer single-edged versions, and Naginata and Yari, even though they are pole weapons but due to their forging method, they are still considered a part of the Nihonto family.
Japanese swords are fairly common today, antique and even modern forged swords can still be found and purchased. Modern nihontō or Japanese-made swords are only made by a few hundred smiths in Japan today at contests hosted by the All Japan Swordsmiths Association.
