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The Samurai obviously used their infamous katanas. But was that all they used?
No, of course not but the katana was the most important and was carried by all Samurai despite their primary weapon. Acctually bushi children under the age of 5 would recieve their first katana in a ceremony called "mamori-gatana" this was of course only a display blade made for nothing but. But when the child turned 13 another ceremony was held where the child became a man. He was also given his blades; the katana and the wakizashi, armor, and his adult name. The Samurai believed the katana to be a living spirit and part of them. Once the wakizashi was given to the new Samurai it never left his side. He slept with it and when he went indoors all other weapons were left outside. The Samurai lived by the katana and died by the wakizashi. A third weapon the Samurai used was the yumi or the long bow. This weapon had an art of it's own called kyūjutsu or skill of the bow. Last but not least the Samurai used the yari or the spear. This was used to even the playing field while up against calvary. Or make the job of horse riders easier. A Samurai could kill anyone with any of these weapons, but if someone managed to disarm the Samurai of all his weapons...he would kill them with his hands. The Samurai was the perfect soldier and man was not able to kill them...although the gun was and did.