Anatomy of a Samurai-sword (Katana)

The Katana, also known as the Samurai-sword, is a Japanese sword used by the Samurai in feudal Japan. The anatomy of a Katana consists of 4 main parts, each with very specific elements.

The blade, officially called Ken, is usually between 60 and 80 cm long and has a slight curvature.

A Katana has one sharp edge, which points downward. The other edge is blunt.

Along the length of the blade runs a ridge line called the Shinogi. The area above the Shinogi, the Shinogi-ji, is flat and thus blunt. The area below the Shinogi is slanted. This slanted part ends in the edge of the blade which is called the Ha or the Yaibi. Along the edge, you see a wavy pattern. This is caused by the folding and hardening process used for these swords. This pattern is called the Hamon.

Between the main part of the blade and the tip runs a line that extends across the width of the blade, the Yokote. The tip of the knife is called the Kissaki and this tip is often sharp enough to penetrate armor.

At the basic of the blade, just before the crossguard, is the Habaki or blade collar. The Habaki provides strength and stability to the sword.

The blade has a narrow extension, which is called the tang or Nakago . The tang is used to attach the blade to the handle. In a Katana made by a traditional Japanese swordsmith, the name of the maker and other important information are engraved on this part.

On a Katana there is a round crossguard, where the knife and the handle meet. This crossguard is called the Tsuba and is mainly used to protect the hands. It prevents the user's hand from sliding up and onto the knife. In some cases, the Tsuba can also be used to influence the balance of the sword.

The Tsuba started purely as a practical part of the Katana, but over time became increasingly decorated. Very detailed Tsuba are considered artworks in their own right.

On both sides of the Tsuba are the Seppa. The Seppa are metal spacers used to make the handle of the sword tighter or looser and to keep the Tsuba in place.

The handle of a Katana is called the Tsuka. The Tsuka is made of wood and goes around the tang of the blade. Two pins go through the Tsuka and the tang to secure it firmly. These pins are the Meguki.

Traditionally, the Tsuka is wrapped with ray skin, or Samekawa in Japanese. For modern and affordable Katana, leather or faux leather is often used. The Samekawa provides friction for the wrap that goes around the handle. This wrap is called the Tsuka-ito and can be made from various fibers, ranging from cotton to silk.

For decoration, there are small engravings on top of the Samekawa, but under the Tsuka-ito. These decorations are called Menuki.

At the end of the handle is a pommel, the Kashira, which protects the sword and can also be decorated.

A Katana always has a scabbard, which is called Saya in Japanese. The Saya is vital to protect the sword from damage when not in use. It also prevents unintended injury to people who come into contact with the Katana.

A Saya is traditionally made of wood and is decorated with carvings or fabric. A modern and affordable Katana may also have a Saya made of plastic.

Attached to the Saya is the Sageo, a cord used to tie the Katana to the belt of the person wearing it.

A Shirasaya katana is a specific type of katana regarding sword construction. A Shirasaya-katana has a simple wooden handle and scabbard. This type of construction was used to make storing the sword easier and to protect the blade during storage. When carrying a katana was banned in the late 19th century, the Shirasaya construction was used as a way to disguise a katana and make it look like a staff or a wooden practice sword.

Because this holder is designed to store the knives, it is less sturdy than that of a regular katana, making it dangerous to use a Shirasaya katana in combat or for training purposes.

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