Nihontō

Because the nihontō slices rather than chops, it is this "dragging" which allows it to do maximum damage, and is thus incorporated into the cutting technique.

Even so, many nihontō were sold to American soldiers at a bargain price; in 1958 there were more Japanese swords in America than in Japan.

However, nihontō of longer lengths also existed, including lengths up to 78 cm (2 shaku 5 sun 5 bu).

Recent history and modern use Under the United States occupation at the end of World War II all armed forces in occupied Japan were disbanded and production of nihontō with edges was banned except under police or government permit.

Thanks to the efforts of other like-minded individuals, the nihontō did not disappear, many swordsmiths continued the work begun by Masahide, and the old swordmaking techniques were rediscovered.

The mass-produced ones often look like Western cavalry sabers rather than nihontō, with blades slightly shorter than blades of the shintō and shinshintō periods.

The nihontō remained in use in some occupations such as the police force.

The nihontō was primarily a cutting weapon, or more specifically, a slicing one.

There are accounts of good quality stainless steel nihontō, however, these are rare at best.