Katana

Historically, katana (刀) were one of the traditionally made Japanese swords (日本刀, nihontō) that were used by the samurai of feudal Japan. Modern versions of the katana are sometimes made using non-traditional materials and methods. The katana is characterized by its distinctive appearance: a curved, slender, single-edged blade with a circular or squared guard and long grip to accommodate two hands.

History

The production of swords in Japan is divided into specific time periods:

The first use of "katana" (gatana) as a word to describe a long sword that was different from a tachi occurs as early as the Kamakura Period (1185–1333). These references to "uchigatana" and "tsubagatana" seem to indicate a different style of sword, possibly a less costly sword for lower-ranking warriors. The evolution of the tachi into the katana seems to have started during the early Muromachi period (1337 to 1573). Starting around the year 1400, long swords signed with the "katana" signature were made. This was in response to samurai wearing their tachi in what is now called "katana style" (cutting edge up). Japanese swords are traditionally worn with the signature facing away from the wearer. When a tachi was worn in the style of a katana, with the cutting edge up, the tachi's signature would be facing the wrong way. The fact that swordsmiths started signing swords with a katana signature shows that some samurai of that time period had started wearing their swords in a different manner.

Katana (disambiguation)

Katana is Japanese for backsword and often refers to uchigatana, especially in English. For a list of fictional katana, see Katanas in fiction. Katana may also refer to:

Dreamcast

The Dreamcast (Japanese: ドリームキャスト, Hepburn: Dorīmukyasuto) is a home video game console released by Sega on November 27, 1998 in Japan, September 9, 1999 in North America, and October 14, 1999 in Europe. It was the first in the sixth generation of video game consoles, preceding Sony's PlayStation 2, Nintendo's GameCube and Microsoft's Xbox. The Dreamcast is Sega's final home console, marking the end of the company's 18 years in the console market.

In contrast to the expensive hardware of the unsuccessful Sega Saturn, the Dreamcast was designed to reduce costs with "off-the-shelf" components, including a Hitachi SH-4 CPU and an NEC PowerVR2 GPU. Released in Japan to a subdued reception, the Dreamcast enjoyed a successful U.S. launch backed by a large marketing campaign, but interest in the system steadily declined as Sony built hype for the upcoming PlayStation 2. Sales did not meet Sega's expectations despite several price cuts, and the company continued to incur significant financial losses. After a change in leadership, Sega discontinued the Dreamcast on March 31, 2001, withdrawing from the console business and restructuring itself as a third-party publisher. 9.13 million Dreamcast units were sold worldwide.

Subway (underpass)

In England and Wales, the Republic of Ireland, Hong Kong and Commonwealth countries such as India, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, a subway is normally an underpass for pedestrians and/or cyclists beneath a road or railway, allowing them to reach the other side in safety. Subways may also be constructed for the benefit of wildlife.

In the United States, as used by the California Department of Transportation and in parts of Pennsylvania such as Harrisburg, Duncannon and Wyoming County, it can mean a depressed road undercrossing.

Subways are less common in North American cities than in European cities of comparable size. They are constructed when it is necessary for pedestrians to cross a railway line or a dual carriageway such as an interstate highway, and they appear at the exits from underground rapid transit systems, but one would be rarely built to enable people to cross an ordinary city street. When they are built, the term pedestrian underpass is more likely to be used, because "subway" in North America refers to rapid transit systems such as the New York City Subway or the Toronto Subway.

Subway (group)

The Chicago-based group Subway, was composed of Eric McNeal, Keith Thomas, Trerail Puckett and Roy Jones. The group was signed by Michael Bivins (of New Edition and Bell Biv DeVoe) to his Motown-distributed label Biv 10. They debuted in 1995 with the hit single "This Lil' Game We Play" featuring labelmates 702 that reached #15 on the Billboard charts. The song was produced and written by Gerald Levert and Edwin Nicholas and was billed as "Subway featuring 702". The single set the group off to a good start, going gold and selling nearly a million copies.

Their debut album was titled Good Times and was released later that year. The cover art and title of the album was inspired by the same-named CBS hit sitcom of the '70s. Written and produced by Gerald Levert and Edwin Nicholas, the album packed some solid hits such as the aforementioned "This Lil' Game We Play."

In 2007, Eric McNeal released a solo EP throughout the box records.

Chart positions

Albums

Singles

External links/Sources

Subway Israel

Subway Israel (Hebrew: סאבוויי‎) was a fast food sandwich chain, an international franchise of Subway. Opening in 1992, they expanded to 23 branches around Israel before they closed in 2004.

History

In the early 1990s, Subway began expanding their international franchises at a much more rapid pace, with Israel being one of those places.

In 1992 Subway entered Israel for the first time. In 2004, when the original franchisee died, the chain closed their 23 locations.

Kashrut

Although not all restaurants in Israel were kosher, all did refrain from pig products. Due to not wanting to ostracize themselves from the Jewish residents of Israel, Subway did not offer bacon or ham.

Other kosher Subways

Outside of Israel, the only other kosher Subways are located in the United States, which opened its first location in 2006 in a suburb of Cleveland, Ohio. At the Mandel JCC of Cleveland Subway spokesman Jared Fogle attended the opening. Subway's press release on the opening stated, "With slight modifications, such as no pork-based products, and the use of soy-based cheese product, the menu is virtually identical to that of any other Subway restaurant."