Japanese Swords 101: A Guide for Both Novices and Enthusiasts

Throughout history, the Japanese sword served as a remarkable weapon used both in duels and on the battlefield. It has a very long history and has continued to evolve in response to historical events and battle tactics of the time. Today, these swords are primarily seen as works of art, and some people even use them in traditional Japanese martial arts.

We rounded up the most popular Japanese swords, as well as a few tips on how and where you can buy them.

Samurai Swords vs. Ninja Swords

In feudal Japan, both the samurai and ninja clans used swords as weapons. Unlike the samurai, who were more concerned with the quality of their blades, the ninjas paid more attention to methods of quickly drawing their swords. The ninjas usually belonged to the lower classes of Japanese society, so they often had difficulty in obtaining high-quality blades.

Unlike the samurai katana sword with a curved blade, ninja swords were generally straight and shorter. The ninjas commonly gathered abandoned swords found on the battlefield and shortened them. As assassins and mercenaries, they needed shorter shorts to keep a more subtle profile. Also, ninja swords were lighter and easier to draw from a scabbard.

Samurai swords were highly valued and respected and were never used for mundane utilitarian purposes. On the other hand, ninja swords were nothing more than a tool. Some ninjas used their swords to open a locked door in an enemy sanctuary, as well as a foot pedestal for climbing walls. As an extra weapon for protection, ninja swords were used for stabbing enemies rather than slaying them.

Types of Japanese Swords

There are different types of swords used in Japanese history. Some were samurai swords used in feudal Japan, while others are modern swords used in martial arts today. No doubt, anime has also played a role in popularizing some fictional swords, which sparks the interest of both sword collectors and anime fans.

1. Katana

The most popular of all swords, the Japanese katana sword is known to be the deadly curved sword of the samurai. Like the tachi, it is also curved and single-edged, but it has a shallow curve, which could cut down enemies with a single, lightning-fast strike.

Katana is a long sword over 60 cm, usually worn with the edge facing up, tucked into the belts of the warrior. The sword can be immediately used to make defensive or offensive motions. More than that, it can be drawn from both horseback or on foot, so it became the standard weapon for warriors.

2. Tanto (Dagger)

Less than 30 cm long, the tanto is a very short sword commonly used as a self-defense weapon and a utility knife. The samurai also used the tanto during a seppuku ritual suicide to achieve an honorable death and avoid capture after battlefield defeats. In modern times, it is still used in tantojutsu martial arts.

The josun no tanto, meaning normal-sized tanto, have blades ranging from 24 to 25 cm in length, and mostly without curvature. There were even smaller tanto daggers, approximately 20 cm long, but their longer variety, the sunnobi tanto, had blades around 30 cm in length. Despite its size, it had the same craftsmanship as its larger counterparts.

3. Tachi (Long Sword)

The first functional sword of Japanese design, the tachi was a single-edged sword with a curved blade. Unlike the straight and bulky design of older swords, it was designed for slashing rather than thrusting. The tachi is a long sword, more than 60 cm in length, so it was worn with the cutting edge down, and suspended from a belt.

The tachi from the Kofun period traditionally featured the phoenix or dragon decoration. It was commonly drawn with one hand, usually from horseback. Since it was a sharp, durable, and effective weapon, it became the blueprint for all swords developed in later times.

4. Kodachi (Short Tachi)

Kodachi literally means small or short tachi, with a length less than 60 cm. It was actually too short to be called a sword, yet it was too long to be considered as a dagger. It is believed that high-ranking officials used kodachi for self-defense when not on the battlefield. Kodachi was worn just like tachi, with the cutting-edge hanging down from the belt. The martial arts kodachijutsu focuses on the use of kodachi and short swords in general.

5. Odachi (Great Tachi)

The extremely long swords are known as odachi or nodachi, meaning great tachi. However, these swords were difficult to handle due to their length, usually between 90 and 130 centimeters, so they were only used during the Nanbokucho period, from 1336 to 1392.

6. Nagamaki

Most recognized for its extra-long tang and handle, the nagamaki evolved from the odachi or nodachi of the Nanbokucho period. Its blade could be 60 cm or more, and its handle is about the same length as the blade, designed for sweeping and slicing strokes. It has a single-edged blade and was mainly used as an infantry weapon.

The body of the nagamaki can resemble a katana, or a naginata polearm. However, its hilt was not just a simple wooden shaft—it was wrapped just like a typical katana hilt. When the nagamaki was later reshaped into a more practical sword, its blade was thinned and the tang was cut off.

7. Wakizashi (Short Sword)

The wakizashi is a short sword, usually between 30 and 60 cm long, and used as a backup of sorts. It became popular during the 16th century when samurai carried two swords through their belt. One of them was the longer katana, and the other was the shorter wakizashi sword. Since the latter had a shorter handle, it was only held in one hand.

8. Chokuto

A sword of Chinese design, the chokuto was produced in Japan’s ancient times and pre-dated the so-called Japanese sword. It’s a straight sword with one cutting edge, used from around 250 CE to the Heian period, from 794 to 1185.

While its kiriha-zukuri blade was ideal for thrusting and hacking, the hira-zukuri blade was designed for slicing. Many scholars believe that these two designs were later combined to create the first tachi sword

9. Daisho

The term daisho is actually used to describe a sword pair. Towards the end of the Muromachi period, from 1392 to 1573, wearing the daisho set, consisting of katana and a shorter sword called wakizashi, became popular—but it was restricted to members of the samurai class. The two swords were commonly worn on the hip, and the shorter sword served as a sort of backup when the long sword was not allowed upon entering government establishment.

10. Tsurugi

Also called a ken, the tsurugi is a symmetrical double-edged blade designed as a thrusting weapon. It can be in any length from 30 to 60 cm. It’s one of the oldest sword types used in Japan in the 3rd to 6th centuries. Today, it holds religious significance in Buddhism, and Shinto attributed kami or spirits to the sword, which inspired the harai purification rites.

11. Uchigatana (Striking Sword)

The uchigatana was a mid-length sword, around 60 to 70 cm long, and had a shorter blade than the tachi. It was worn under a sash with the edge up. During the Muromachi period, the nobilities and priesthood began to use uchigatana swords, which were easier to carry than the earlier tachi, which proved more cumbersome.

12. Masamune

One of the most famous swordsmiths in the history of Japanese swords is Goro Nyudo Masamune, who became popular in the late Kamakura period. He worked in the Soshu school and produced swords of the highest quality. The Tokugawa family and sword connoisseurs even considered his swords priceless. Today, Masamune swords generally refer to the type of blades crafted by the swordsmith rather than a particular type of sword.

13. Shinai

In kendo, the traditional style of Japanese fencing, the bamboo sword called shinai is used to avoid injury during practice. It is made up of a bundle of bamboo sticks bounded together, and varies in length from 110 to 118 cm. The shinai is commonly held with both hands, though its shape will depend on the type of practice.

Shinai can also be made of carbon graphite, which is 10 times more durable than the traditional bamboo shinai. However, they are not recommended for beginners, as the material absorbs lesser vibrations than the traditional bamboo.

14. Shikomizue

In feudal Japan, the ninjas used the shikomizue, a sword fashioned in the form of a walking stick, to disguise the weapon. It was a straight, double-edged sword used during secretive missions. However, was relatively small and thin, so it was not as versatile and durable as other Japanese swords.

15. Sakabato

There are several noteworthy swords in anime. In Samurai X, Rurouni Kenshin used the sakabato or reverse-blade katana to fulfill his vow of never killing again. Even if there is no record of the sword in Japanese history, you can now find contemporary sakabato created for collectors.

16. Bokken

Japan’s most celebrated swordsman, Miyamoto Musashi became known for using bokken in his duels, though he sometimes fought with what was at hand. In Japan, the term bokken generally means wooden sword used in martial arts such as modern kendo, aikido, or iaido. It is commonly made from Japanese oak, but its shape and length depend on the type of practice.

17. Full Tang Sword

Generally, all Japanese swords used in combat were full tang swords. Technically, the tang is the unsharpened portion of the blade that extends to its handle. Since its tang runs down the length of the entire handle as a solid piece, full tang swords are the strongest. It also means that the blade and handle won’t break apart from hard blows.

History of the Japanese Sword

Throughout history, the Japanese adapted their swords based on cultural changes, historical events, technological advancement, and efficiency in warfare. As battle tactics changed, the construction and styles of blades also changed.

The long history of Japanese swords can be classified into a series of periods—Jokoto, Koto, Shinto, Shinshinto, and Gendaito, though historians do not agree on exactly when these periods started and ended. Still, these sword periods are a great starting point in appreciating Japanese swords.

Jokoto Era

The Jokoto era starts with the earliest historical period of Japan, the Jomon period, and ends with the mid-Heian period. Since it coincides with the Neolithic, Bronze, and Iron Ages in Europe, the swords from this era are regarded as ancient swords and were used primarily for religious ceremonies instead of weapons. They were made of bronze, and were symmetrical and double-edged, similar to the Greek hoplite and the Chinese jian.

By the Kofun period from 250 to 538 CE, straight and short steel swords were designed for battles, but many of them were imported from China. These swords feature a triangular profile and single cutting edges and were used mainly as a stabbing and hacking weapon. In this context, a straight sword encounters greater surface area upon contact, so it would have been less effective in slashing.

Koto Era

During the mid-Heian period, the Japanese sword developed curvature, so it became more of a slashing weapon. It was likely a response to the military tactics of the time, as curved blades allowed troops to fight from horseback, slashing down from above with great speed.

When the Mongols invaded Japan in the 13th century, the Japanese sword began to have protective talisman designs. By the Nanbokucho period, from 1336 to 1392, samurai fought on foot rather than horseback, which led to the creation of larger swords called odachi or nodachi.

When Japan entered the Warring States period, a time of almost constant civil war, odachi swords were replaced by uchigatana swords, which were more practical to use in enclosed spaces such as forts and buildings. After uchigatana became popular, swordsmiths started to produce smaller swords in general. The katana was made toward the end of the Koto era, usually with blades more than 60 cm.

Shinto Era

During the Shinto era, also known as the New Sword era, the feudal lords of the Japanese provinces became patrons of swordsmiths, so many of them emerged and their swords were referred to as shinto blades.

As the peace of the Edo period continued into the 18th century, swords became more of a symbolic treasure than a weapon. With no battles to fight, the samurai preferred ornamental designs rather than protective talisman designs on their swords.

Shinshinto Era

In the late 1700s, swordsmith Suishinshi Masahide sparked the interest in traditional Japanese swords, which marked the beginning of the Shinshinto or New, New Sword era. Swords of the time were functional and effective for combat and started to have a character of their own. The Shinshinto era ended in 1876 when the decree of Haitorei prohibited the wearing of swords in public.

Gendaito Era

Generally, Japanese swords made from the mid-Meiji period up until the present times are regarded as gendaito or modern swords. There was little demand for swords during the period, but swordsmiths managed to preserve the traditional swordmaking.

As Japan began to modernize its military forces, the traditional swords lost their popularity as a weapon. Today, it remains illegal to produce swords to use as weapons, as all swords made in Japan since the end of World War II have been art swords.

Characteristics of Japanese Sword

The Japanese sword is the finest sword ever constructed—its structure, composition, and metallurgy are unique. Japan’s swordmaking methods were perfected over hundreds of years, making each sword one-of-a-kind. By understanding the sword’s characteristics, we can determine why and how the sword of Japan stood out beyond all others.

Type of Steel

What makes the Japanese sword unique is the steel it is made from. Technically, steel is a combination of iron and carbon, but Japanese steel is high-carbon steel called tamahagane. It is made from a traditional Japanese furnace or smelter called tatara, using charcoal as fuel and iron ore in sand form. The tamahagane is very tough and contributes to the qualities and nature of Japanese swords.

Structure

Apart from the quality of the steel, the Japanese blade has a complex structure, which makes it an effective weapon. Japanese swords are hand forged and clay tempered blades, with hardened edges and softer spines, so they are both hard and flexible.

The Japanese sword is composed of high carbon steel that forms the surface of the sword, but its center is made up of softer steel called shingane, which serves as a kind of shock absorber. Thus, the sword wouldn’t easily fracture from extreme blows.

More than that, the sword’s cutting edge is made of steel harder than the rest of its body, giving its superior cutting ability. The harder steel in the edge area is commonly referred to as the ha, while the softer steel in the body of the sword is called ji.

Blade’s Curvature or Sori

Japanese swords are known for their blade curvatures, which make them battle-ready and effective slashing weapons. To measure the blade’s curvature, an imaginary straight line is drawn from the very tip of the sword to the munemachi—or the base of the unsharpened back of the sword. Therefore, the depth of a blade’s curvature or sori refers to the distance between the imaginary straight line and the munemachi on its deepest point.

However, the location of the blade’s curvature may vary, so there are also different types of sori. If the sori is found on the center of the blade, it is called toriizori. On the other hand, the sori above the center and toward the tip of the blade is called sakizori, while the sori below the center and toward the hilt of the sword is called koshizori.

Sword Tip Design or Kissaki

The kissaki or sword tip design may vary depending on the historical period and swordsmiths. Generally, a sword may have a small point or ko-kissaki, an average-sized point or chu-kissaki, or a large point or o-kissaki.

Curvature of the Point or Fukura

The fukura or the shape of the sharpened cutting edge within the pointed part of the sword may also vary. If it is relatively straight, it is referred to as fukura kareru. On the other hand, the fukura tsuku is very full and round.

Examining a Japanese Sword

While you can purchase any piece of metal shaped like a sword, holding a true Japanese sword in your hand gives a different realm of experience. However, examining a Japanese sword is a task that requires some practice.

Unlike Western swords, Japanese swords are examined by looking only at the blade itself. Some of its aesthetic features include the jigane, the appearance of the surface steel; the jihada, the grain pattern within the steel; and the hamon, the patterned band along the edge of the sword.

Steel’s Surface or Jigane

Traditionally, Japanese steel is not reflective or bright, so you should notice the color of the steel, which is dark compared to modern steel. To examine the color and surface of the steel, you’ll need a good light source placed above, as the flat side of the blade is viewed. You’ll notice the difference between the grayish steel color on the side and the whitish steel color on the edge.

Grain Patterns or Jihada

The steel surface has a distinct grain pattern or texture called jihada or hada, which resulted from repeated folding of the steel while being forged. There are many variations of these patterns, depending on forging techniques used. Therefore, the jihada varies from sword to sword, and it reveals much about the skill of the swordsmith.

The straight grain or masame hada features a series of straight lines along the blade’s length, while the wood pattern grain or mokume hada has irregular concentric circles and swirls. The term moku means tree or wood, while me means pattern. On the other hand, the plank pattern grain or itame hada is a combination of masame and mokume hada, as it features a mix of straight and circular motifs.

The most notable of all patterns is the undulating wave grain or ayasugi hada, which features extremely wavy lines. It is sometimes referred to as the Gassan hada, after the Gassan School of swordmaking which produces it. Also, there’s a nashi-ji hada that features very fine patterns and difficult to see.

Temperline Pattern or Hamon

The Japanese sword’s appeal as a work of art derives from its hamon, the visible pattern along the edge of the sword. It is the result of clay tempering, or hardening the sword’s cutting edge while keeping its body relatively soft. The hamon is often likened to a swordsmith’s fingerprint, as it takes a great deal of training and experience just to create the desired pattern.

When examining the sword, you’ll see the distinct white line that shows the boundary between the harder cutting edge and the softer body of the sword. A good hamon has no breaks or gaps in the boundary line and no faded areas.

The straight line is known as suguha, but the rest of the hamon features irregular lines and have names of their own. The gunome is a wavy hamon, while the sudareba resembles a bamboo curtain. The choji hamon resembles the clove bud and has many variations. The most striking of all is the hitatsura which has a wild and rugged look.

File Marks on the Tang or Yasurime

When the blade has been removed from the hilt, the yasurime or decorative pattern of file marks on the tang can be examined, if there is any. Different swordsmiths have characteristic yasurime. Some of them are parallel slanted marks, while others feature chevron-like marks. If the Japanese sword is signed, the signature and other information will likely be inscribed on the tang.

Japanese Sword Mountings

Habaki

To be placed in a scabbard or saya, Japanese sword comes with a special collar called habaki, which rests at the top of the tang and supports the hilt. In many cases, the value of the sword fitting is the same or more than the value of the blade. Japanese swords are mounted in either shirasaya or koshirae.

Basically, the shirasaya is a simple wooden scabbard that protects the sword. When new swords are made today, they are usually placed into a shirasaya. On the other hand, the koshirae is a decorative mounting that features a lacquered scabbard, a sword guard or tsuba, a braided hilt, and other metal ornaments.

Tsuba

In the Muromachi period, tsuba featured carved and inlaid designs like skulls and bones, but by the Edo period, the designs became more elaborate, from cranes to images of gods. In the Momoyama period, swordsmiths began incorporating costly materials into sword mountings such as fuchi, the collar at the base of the hilt; the kashira, the metal cap on the top of the hilt; and menuki, metal ornament on the side of the hilt.

Kashira

A kashira is a pommel cap placed at the end of a sword handle. Unlike the pommel on a European sword, the kashira is purely decorative and not designed to be a counterweight to the blade. When used for thrusting, a lighter pommel on a sword can make a heavier tip, hence a harder-hitting blade. However, Japanese swords already have curved blades for slashing, so they do not need a pommel for a heavier tip.

Japanese Sword Evaluation and Appraisals

Determining the quality and value of a sword relies on the expert’s opinion in the field. One of the well-respected organizations is the Nippon Bijutsu Token Hozon Kyokai, which determines whether a sword is important or worthy of special preservation. When a sword is evaluated, it would receive ōrigami or a certificate that states the judges’ opinion on its quality and value.

Nihon Token Hōzōn Kai is another official organization that evaluates the sword based on its important characteristics, such as the historical era it was produced, the sword’s signature, the type of sword, and blade measurements. However, some flaws or kizu could impact a sword’s value. For instance, when the tip of the sword is broken off and the hamon was damaged, it can be regarded as a fatal flaw.

If you’re looking for Japanese samurai swords, you may start with the Ginza Choshuya and the AOI-ART stores located in Tokyo, Japan. However, authentic Japanese samurai swords can range from $3,000 to $25,000 and even higher, with a museum piece around $700,000.

A great thing, sword collectors and enthusiasts could also find replicas of the samurai sword. Most replicas have blades made of zinc alloy and no edges, so they are solely made for decorations, but you may also find fully functional swords. A replica of a samurai katana sword can range from $100 to $2000, but you can also find tanto around $90.