Japanese Swords Visual Glossary

Bokken: A wooden Katana used for practice/training.

Bo-Hi: Or simply “Hi”. Grooves in the blade of Japanese swords. Also sometimes referred to as a “blood-groove”.

Boshi: The continuation of the Hamon through and around the Kissaki.

Bu Jin: A philosophy of honor and respect developed by those who lived by the samurai code. It translates to “People of the Samurai Spirit.”

Bugei: The military arts, including the use of the sword.

Buke: A Military man or Samurai.

Bukuro: Sword bag (as in Katana-Bukuro).

Bushido: The Way of the Warrior. A code of ethics and moral principles for Samurai. The first works were by Yamaga Soko (1622-85) in Bukyo (The Warrior Creed) and Shido (The Warrior’s Way).

Chiburi: The act of slinging blood off the blade before re-scabbarding.

Choji Oil: Traditional oil used to clean a sword blade.

Daisho: A matched pair of long and short swords (e.g., katana and wakizashi). Literally “big/small”.

Daito: Long sword, e.g., Katana.

Fuchi: Tsuka collar resting before the Seppa. Usually matched to the Kashira as a set.

Fukure: A dark blemish on the sword created by air pockets. It’s a type of sword flaw.

Gendai: Blades made post-WWII through today.

Gimei: A false signature on a blade. Usually a copy of a famous smith to increase the sword’s value.

Gokaden: The 5 traditional schools of swordsmithing during the Koto period.

Ha: The cutting edge of the sword; The sharp edge.

Ha-machi: The notch where the Ha descends into the Nakago. This notch is used to set the Habaki in place. Is moved up when the blade is shortened.

Habaki: One or two piece blade collar around the Nakago, above the tsuba, used to secure the blade into the scabbard. Sets securely into the notches of the Ha and Mune-Machi’s. Made from a variety of metals, usually copper, and sometimes gold-plated.

Hada: The grain in the sword produced by the method of hammering and folding the steel during forging. The pattern is often associated with specific schools.

Hako: A box-type of Hamon.

Hamidashi: A shorter Wakizashi or larger Tanto with a smaller guard.

Hamon: Heat temper line. Patterns are often associated with certain schools. Originally mostly straight in design, then becoming more wavy and elaborate as time passed.

Hira-Zukuri: A type of Sugata with no Shinogi or Yokote. Often seen in Tantos and smaller Wakizashis.

Horimono: Engraving on blades. Like in Bo-hi, sometimes used to cover up flaws.

Iaido (Iai-jitsu): The art of drawing the sword. The art of the “fast-draw”.

Ito (Tsuka-Ito): Cotton or Silk braid used to wrap the Tsuka over the Same.

Ji: The area of the blade between the Ha and Shinogi.

Kantei: Sword appraisal and study. Being able to judge a sword by its various characteristics.

Kashira: End cap of the Tsuka held on by the Ito. Usually matched to the Fuchi as a set.

Katana: Long sword (Daito). Evolved from the Tachi for foot and close-quarters combat.

Katana-Kake: Sword stand/rack . Called Tachi-Kake for Tachi stands.

Keiko: Practice battle.

Ken: “Sword”. Often used to refer to the double-edged long swords of ancient Japan.

Kenjitsu: The art of combative swordsmanship once the sword has been unsheathed.

Kenshi: An expert swordsman.

Kissaki: The point of the blade.

Kizu: Sword Flaws.

Koi-Guchi: Opening of the Saya. “Mouth” of the Saya.

Kojiri: End piece on the Saya; Butt cap. Sometimes made of buffalo horn or metal.

Koshirae: Sword mountings including Saya, Tsuka, and all fittings.

Koto: “Old Sword” period. From 900AD to around 1530AD

Kozuka: Small utility knife fitted into the saya pocket of some Wakizashis and Tantos.

Kurikata: Knob on the Omote side of the Saya with a hole for the Sageo to go through.

Mei: Signature of the swordsmith. Usually on the Omote side of the Katana. On the opposite side for the Tachi. Sometimes faked (Gimei) to increase value.

Mekugi: Bamboo peg used to secure Tsuka to Nakago.

Mekugi-Ana: Hole for the Mekugi.

Menuki: Decorative pieces fitted above the Same and under the Ito on the Tsuka to enhance grip on the sword. Can be placed in various positions. Sometimes used as currency.

Migi: Right. As in the right side.

Mune: Spine (back) of the sword.

Mune-Machi: Notch where the Mune ends and descends into the Nakago. Used to set the Habaki in place. Can be moved up when shortening a sword.

Nagasa: The length of the blade from Mune-machi to the end of the Kissaki.

Naginata: Short sword blade on long shaft/pole.

Nakago: Unseen extension of the blade under the Tsuka – also called the Tang. Holds the Mei and Mekigi-ana.

Nakago-Jiri: End of the Nakago.

Notare: A wavy type of hamon; a swell. Many varieties.

Obi: Silk sash used to hold Kimono, Haori, and sword in place at the waist.

Omote: Side of the sword AWAY from the body when worn. The Signature side. Opposite of the Ura. Also considered the FRONT of the sword. Opposite on Tachi.

Origami: Certificate of appraisal for a sword.

Oshigata: Rubbing taken of the Mei and the Nakago.

Patina: Rust; The level and color of rust on the Nakago.

Ronin: Masterless Samurai, by choice or circumstance. Often considered vagrants.

Ryu: School or style of martial arts.

Same: The belly portion of stingray skin used on top of the wooden Tsuka and below the Ito to improve grip.

Sageo: Cord or Braid attached to the Kurikata of the Saya used to secure it to the Obi or Hakama when worn.

Sakazuno: Obi-hook on the Omote side of some Wakizashi and Tanto Saya.

Saya: Scabbard for the sword.

Saya-Ate: Scabbard striking. Hitting one’s own scabbard against another’s. Considered a grave insult worthy of dueling to the death.

Seppa: A pair of washers used between the Habaki and Tsuba and Tsuba and Fuchi.

Seppeku: The ritual act of taking one’s own life by using a Hara-Kiri cut to slice one’s stomach open from left to right, then finishing with an upward turn. Usually accompanied by a Kaishuken, or Second, who would behead the man after to relieve suffering or if he should falter, to save honor. Usually performed with a purified Wakizashi or Tanto in Shirasaya.

Shikomi-Zue: Cane sword. Often called a Zatoichi.

Shinai: Bamboo practice sword.

Shin-Gunto: WWII Army sword in military mounts.

Shinogi: The straight ridge line on either side of the blade from the Mune to the beveled Ha.

Shin-Shinto: Literally “New New Sword” period. Swords made after the Shinto period from about 1868-1926AD.

Shinto: Literally “New Sword” period. Between Koto and Shin-Shinto periods; about 1530-1867AD.

Shira-Saya: Plain, natural wood scabbard and Tsuka used to store a blade and Habaki when not in Koshirae.

Shoto: Short sword (Wakizashi).

Suburi: A practice/warm-up exercise with the Suburito involving leaping forward and back in time with striking with the suburito.

Suburito: Large, heavy wooden sword used for sword training. Rumored to be first created by Miyamoto Musashi from a boat oar before a duel.

Sugata: Shape of the blade. Overall shape of blade.

Sugu(ha): Straight Hamon. Sometimes called Suguba or Suguha. Used mainly during Koto times.

Suriage: A blade that has been shortened; a blade that has had it’s Nakago, Mune and Ha-Machi’s altered to shorten the blade. Can greatly decrease the value of the blade.

Tachi: A long sword usually over 27 inches with a great curve. Has it’s own unique types, shapes, fittings, and history. Used primarily by warriors on horseback.

Tameshigiri: Cutting test for a sword done on Bamboo or Tatami.

Tanto: Dagger, usually under 10 inches. Many varieties and shapes.

Togi: Professional sword polisher.

Tsuba: Hand guard for a sword. Many varieties and schools, often appraised separately from the rest of the blade.

Tsuka: Wood handle of the sword covered by Same and Ito.

Tsuka-Maki: The art of wrapping the Tsuka with Ito.

Ubu: An unaltered (not shortened) sword or Nakago.

Ura: The side of the Katana facing the body when worn. Opposite of the Omote. Often considered the BACK of the sword. Opposite for a Tachi.

Wakizashi: Medium length sword around 15 inches usually worn in conjunction with the Katana. Also called Shoto. Not removed, as the Katana is, during formal meetings.

Ware: Stress crack. A type of flaw, usually accompanied by a Fukure, forming a long crack along the blade. Can be considered FATAL and render the blade worthless.

Watari-Kashi: A samurai hired on a temporary basis. Considered above Ronin.

Yakiba: The tempered surface along the edge of the blade between the Ha and Hamon. Outlined by the Hamon.

Yari: Spear.

Yasurime: File Marks on the Nakago used to grip the Tsuka for security. Often disappears from older blades, obscured by the Patina (rust).

Yokote: Demarcation line separating the blade from the beginning of the Kissaki.