The history of the sword in Japan begins in the fifth century A. D. with the straight, one-edged steel swords. This was a Chinese design and probably constructed in China. Many of these swords were too thinly forged for serious combat, and were probably used as religious items in Shinto. With the birth of the samurai class some 200-300 years later, the Japanese sword took on unique characteristics appropriate to the samurai's original role as mounted warriors. This sword's design takes from the Samurai's early history. The stainless steel blade is 27 1/2" with an overall length of 39 3/4".