Katana (刀, かたな) was a traditional Japanese longsword. It was a common weapon in the Shōgunworld park.
Description[]
A katana was a Japanese sword forged in the 10th century. Katana (Samurai Sword) is a generic term for swords forged in the original manufactured method in Japan. Different from swords of other countries, the biggest feature of Katana is that the body of blade itself has artistic value, aside from the fittings (Koshirae).
Katanas were made for double-handed use. A katana was originally used for cutting off limbs and objects. However, the swords were also used for stabbing their targets.
Maeve wielding a katana while wearing a traditional kimono
Katanas were used as weapons in Shōgunworld and function similarly to other weapons from different theme park attractions. While in Shōgunworld, katanas would be used by Hosts and Guests. However, the blade of the katanas could only be used against Hosts and is not (or should not be) harmful towards Guests. After the security breach of the Delos Incorporated theme parks, katanas, as well as all weapons in Shōgunworld, could harm and kill anyone, including Guests.
History[]
Creation[]
Katanas are Japanese swords that began as variations of the Chinese Jian (剑). During the early Heian period (平安時代) around 700 CE, the precursor to the katana began to take shape.
The first katana did not have the familiar curved blade. It was a straight, double-edged iron blade similar to the Chinese swords. By the end of the 10th century, the Japanese cut off cultural ties with the Chinese and went on to develop their own culture and society. The military warriors protecting the people became the first samurai and the Japanese began to pave their way toward creating the modern katana.
Usage in Shōgunworld[]
Musahi using his katana on another host
After the creation of another another Delos Park, Shōgunworld was constructed. Similar to the different theme parks of Delos Incorporated, weapons were created for Shōgunworld to immerse guests in the park as well as to provide means of combat for hosts and guests alike.
Due to the presence of katanas during Edo Japan, hosts and guests in Shōgunworld were provided with katanas as one of the many weapons to use to engage hosts in combat throughout the park.
Battle for the Real World[]
The shutdown of all Delos attractions, majority of weapons present in all theme parks were destroyed. However, some were recovered by Delos executives in hopes to rebuild assets if possible.
During Delores' rebellion on humanity, katanas from Shōgunworld were recovered to be used by Maeve Millay and Hanaryo to combat against Delores and her clone hosts.
After locating a Delores clone embodying the physical appearance of Musashi at an evening Gala, Clementine Pennyfeather and Hanaryo ambushed and attacked Musashi and his gang. Hanaryo use a katana to stab DeloMusashi in chest before cutting him in half and decapitating him.
During the battle against Delores, Maeve used a katana to fight against her. This resulted in Maeve cutting off Delores' arm, forcing her to flee.
Users[]
Musashi[]
Musashi engaged in a duel with Tanaka
Musashi was a swordsman in Shōgunworld and valued his katana as if it was it contained part of his soul. Mushashi is rarely seen without his sword by his side. Musashi has used his katana to take the lives of various hosts as part of his scripted narrative imbedded in Shōgunworld. A skilled samurai, Musashi rarely is defeated in duels. He is defeated, however, by Guests due to Host limitations from the park programing.
Maeve Millay[]
Maeve wielding her katana
Due to her experience in Westworld, Maeve was already knowledgeable of wielding bladed weapons and firearms. After her experience in Shōgunworld, Maeve's weapon of choice in most situations is the katana. Maeve wielded a katana during a battle against different hosts in Shōgunworld. She fought alongside various host companions and after gaining control of her programing, she was already skilled in wielding the katana and mastered techniques on her first usage. Upon exiting the Delos parks, she requests katanas for combat situations.
Hanaryo[]
Hanaryo with her katana after stabbing a Delores clone
Being a Shōgunworld native, Hanaryo was already skilled in using a katana and other weapons originating in Shōgunworld. Hanaryo displayed such skill with a katana that she even impressed the likes of Musashi himself. After being reprinted in the real world, Hanaryo requested a katana to be used in combat situations due to her history with the weapon as well as her desire to make her kills personal.