Anatomy of the Katana

Samurai swords are perhaps the most complex swords in the world. All samurai swords, from the katana to the nagamaki, are composed of dozens of pieces, and each one of them is as important as the others.

In this section you will learn about the anatomy that all samurai swords share and what role each piece plays.

Don’t worry if it looks too much to you. The good thing about samurai swords is that, no matter the design, they all use the same components.

So once you know one, you know them all.

Parts of the Samurai Sword

The katana, like the other samurai swords, consists of three sections: the blade, the handle, and the saya.

katana blade

THE BLADE

It comprises the entire steel blade of the sword. All of our swords are full tang, so we also take into account the portion of the blade that goes inside the handle that ensures that it stays firm.

Go To blade section
katana handle (tsuka}

THE HANDLE

The handle of the sword is the part from which the samurai takes the sword to use it. It includes the hand guard.

Go to handle section

THE SAYA

The sheath of Japanese swords is known as the Saya. It is usually made of lacquered wood and accompanies the shape of the blade.

Go to saya section

THE SAMURAI BLADE

The samurai sword blade is one of the most distinctive in the history of swords. Its semi-curved shape makes it distinguishable to the naked eye, and its effectiveness in combat is the evolution of hundreds of years of Japanese mastery.

Although the blade of Japanese swords is made of a single material (the steel used to forge them), it has different sections. It can even have two different densities of steel if it has been tempered with clay.

Next we will see the different parts of the blade. For practical reasons, we separated them into:

  • Customizable: Those that you can modify with our 3D online customizer.
  • Conceptual: Those that you read to know more about the anatomy of Japanese swords, but that cannot be customized.

Customizable Parts of the Blade

HAMON

This is the section that borders the cutting edge of the blade. It is a whitish stele that emerges as a result of the clay tempering and can have different shapes depending on the artistic qualities of the blacksmith.

READ MORE ABOUT HAMON

HAMON

This is the section that borders the cutting edge of the blade. It is a whitish stele that emerges as a result of the clay tempering and can have different shapes depending on the artistic qualities of the blacksmith.

BO-HI

Some swords can have a Bo-Hi just below the spine. This feature lightens the weight of the blade, allows faster strikes, and also gives the sword a characteristic sound when cutting the air that acts as feedback.

read more about the bo-hi

TIP OF THE BLADE

The tip of the samurai sword, also known as kissaki, blade is usually curved. However, if when customizing your sword you choose Kiriha Zukuri, your sword will have a straight tip (very associated with the ninjato).

Tip of the blade

The tip of the samurai sword, also known as kissaki, blade is usually curved. However, if when customizing your sword you choose Kiriha Zukuri, your sword will have a straight tip (very associated with the ninjato).

READ MORE ABOUT Kissaki

Conceptual Parts

MUNE

The mune is simply the back of the sword. This part is very resistant because it has way more mass than the cutting edge.

When fighting, this is the part of the sword that’s used to block attacks.

HADA

Only for folded steel blades. The Hada is sword’s fingerprint. The Hada is all the wavy lines that go through the blade.

It provides no tactical advantage whatsoever.

HA

This is, simply put, the cutting edge of the sword.

Depending on the sharpness chosen for the sword (Niku or Ultra) it can be as sharp as a razor blade.

THE JAPANESE SWORD HANDLE

The handle of the samurai swords (known as Tsuka) is one of the most complex in the world. While conventional swords usually opt for a wooden hilt and handguard, the handle of the Japanese sword is a work of art itself.

Each of the pieces of the samurai handle has a function. Together they result in an incredibly comfortable handle, with non-slip qualities, and unparalleled vibration absorption.

Let’s take a look:

Tsuba (Handguard)

The Tsuba is the handguard of the sword. It is one of the most striking pieces of Japanese swords. It can come in many shapes and with many designs, each representing something different.

This piece not only has the function of protecting the samurai from the rival’s sword, but also prevents the hand from unintentionally coming into contact with the sword itself.

When you use our customizer, you can choose from hundreds of different Tsubas to create the samurai sword of your dreams.

Habaki (Blade Collar)

The Habaki is the piece that connects the blade to the handle. It is a metal clamp that attaches to the blade and holds it securely together with the Tsuba.

In addition, it locks the blade when inserted into the Saya so that it does not accidentally fall out. It also absorbs part of the vibrations of the steel when you hit something.

Fuchi (Hilt Collar)

The Fuchi is the collar on the handle just below the Tsuba. It not only plays an aesthetic role, but also helps to keep the Tsuka firm.

Just like the Tsuba and the Tsuka, I can display a wide variety of themes and designs according to the taste of the one who customizes the sword — dragons, yokai, samurai, Japanese flowers, clan symbols, etc.

Kashira (Pommel)

The Kashira is the pommel of the samurai sword that is the end of the Tsuka. It acts as the base of the handle, keeping the rest of the pieces in their position. In addition, it can be used to hit the opponent in close encounters.

Its design usually combines with that of the Fuchi.

Samegawa

The Samegawa is one of the most characteristic pieces of the handle of Japanese swords. It is a ray skin that wraps the wooden structure of the Tsuka.

Its porous texture adapts to the samurai’s fingertips, providing an exceptional firm grip and preventing the sword from sliding when wielding it.

Once inserted, the Samegawa is surrounded by a cord, usually made of silk or cotton, known as Ito.

Ito

The Ito is the cord that surrounds the Samegawa. It can be made of different materials: leather, silk, cotton, etc. This piece has two functions.

On the one hand, it makes it comfortable to wield a Japanese sword.

On the other hand, it provides an extra layer of friction that prevents the sword from slipping out of the samurai’s hands.

Seppa

Seppa are thin spacers that are found at both ends of the Tsuba. Their function is to keep the Tsuba firmly in place.

They can come in various colors to match the sword design.

Menuki

The Menuki are small decorative pieces that go between the Samegawa and the Ito. They are made to fit the palm of the hand when holding the sword, thus adding an extra layer of grip. When you customize your sword, you can choose from dozens of Menuki the one you like best.

Mekugi

Mekugi are small pegs that keep the tang of the blade firm inside the Tsuka.

Since these pegs go underneath the Samegawa, they are invisible unless the handle is disassembled.

Saya (Sheath) of the Samurai Sword

It is known as Saya to the sheath of the samurai swords. Whether it is a katana, a nodachi, or any other type of Japanese sword, they always have the same type of Saya— the only thing that changes is the size or curvature.

The Saya is usually made of light wood with a layer of lacquer. However, there are many different types of designs with different materials.

Below we will look at the anatomy of the Saya.

Sageo

One of the most important parts of the Saya. The Sageo is the rope used to tie the Saya to the samurai’s belt (Obi). This rope can be made of different materials such as leather, silk or cotton. The Sageo goes through the Kurikata.

Kojiri

The Kojiri is the tip of the Saya. It is traditionally made of buffalo horn, which is strong and helps protect the rest of the sheath. It is also key for the structure of the Saya, helping it to withstand more.

Kojiri

The Kojiri is the tip of the Saya. It is traditionally made of buffalo horn, which is strong and helps protect the rest of the sheath. It is also key for the structure of the Saya, helping it to withstand more.

Koiguchi

The Koiguchi is the mouth of the Saya through which the blade of the sword is introduced. Its shape complements that of the Habaki to allow it to fit perfectly. As a rule of thumb this piece is made of buffalo horn, but it is also possible to find it in other materials.

Kurikata

The Kurikata is the part of the Saya through which the Sageo passes. Usually this piece is made of buffalo horn.

Shitodome

The Shitodome is a small fitting found in the Saya. It makes the structure that holds the Sageo more resistant.

Kurikata

The Kurikata is the part of the Saya through which the Sageo passes. Usually this piece is made of buffalo horn.

Shitodome

The Shitodome is a small fitting found in the Saya. It makes the structure that holds the Sageo more resistant.