Here are the main terms used to describe katanas. We've selected the most important ones for you, illustrating and listing the words that correspond to the elements that make up Japanese swords, those that characterize the blades and those that refer more specifically to elements of the handle and the extension of the blade.
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Rōmaji | Kanji | Description |
---|---|---|
Fuchi | 縁 | Metal part protecting the handle on the guard side |
Ha | 刃 | Blade edge |
Habaki | ハバキ | Brass part extending the blade and penetrating the scabbard |
Hamachi | 刃区, 刃関 | Notch between sharpened area and blade tang |
Hamon | 刃文 | Quenching line |
Hi / Bo-Hi | 樋 / 棒樋 | Blade throat |
Kashira | 頭 | Sword pommel or buttcap |
Kissaki | 切先 / 鋒 | Point of blade |
Koiguchi | 鯉口 | Sleeve inlet (opening) |
Kojiri | 小尻 / 鐺 | Scabbard end protection |
Kurigata | 栗形 | Ring fixed on the sheath |
Machi | 区 | Notches between bristle and visible blade (in two parts, on the back side and on the cutting edge side) |
Mei | 銘 | The blacksmith's signature on the silk |
Mekugi | 目釘 | Pins to hold handle to blade (generally x 2) |
Mekugiana | 目釘穴 | Holes for pins (Mekugi) securing handle (Tsuka) to blade |
Menuki | 目貫 | Metal decorative elements integrated into the handle |
Mono-Uchi | ものうち | Cutting area (≈ 9 cm) |
Mumei | 無銘 | No blacksmith's signature |
Mune | 棟 | Back of blade |
Munemachi | 棟区, 棟関 | Notch between back (Mune (棟)) and blade tang |
Nagasa | 長さ | Blade length, measured from Habaki notch to blade tip |
Nakago | 中心, 茎 | Blade bristle (extension of the blade inside the handle: through-bristle) |
Sageo | 下緒 | Fabric cord to hold scabbard in place on belt |
Same | 鮫肌 | Stingray skin slat under handle weave (x 2) |
Saya | 鞘 | Sleeve |
Seppa | 切羽 | Guard spacer (x 2) |
Shito-Dome | 鵐目 | Metal part attached to retaining ring (x 2) |
Sori | 反り | Curvature (height of the hollow in the back of the blade in relation to the straight line between the Habaki notch and the tip) |
Tsuba | 鍔 | Guard |
Tsuka | 柄 | Handle |
Tsuka-ito | 柄糸 | Braided handle |
Yokote | 横手 | Line between blade and tip |
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