Samurai Sword Terminology

Welcome to our glossary of sword terminology. If you are just getting into Samurai Swords and Japanese Swords, you might have some trouble with the terminology used. Words like saya, tsuka, and tsuba might be foreign to you so we have put together this sword glossary to help you understand the meanings to some of the most popular words to describe Samurai Swords and Japanese Swords and some related terms. These terms will also help if you are buying an Assemble Yourself Katana Sword and you want to brush up on your terms. If you have a term you would like to add, please send it to info@samuraisupply.com

Samurai Swords Terminology:

1. Dojo - A place of training for martial arts
2. Ha - Cutting edge of the sword
3. Hamon - Tempered area/line on blade
4. Hi - Groove on the side of the blade
5. Jigane - Area between hamon and shinogi
6. Katana - A Japanese sword with a curved blade used by the Samurai
7. Kissaki - Tip of the sword
8. Koshirae - Sword fittings
9. Monouchi - Cutting area of the ha
10. Mune - Back edge of the sword
11. Nakago - Tang (part of blade inside the handle)
12. Saya - The case which a Katana is sheathed
13. Scabbard - A sword sheath
14. Shinogi - Line separating jigane and shinogi ji
15. Shinogi ji - Area between shinogi and mune
16. Sori - Curvature of the blade
17. Tsuba - The guard of a Japanese Katana
18. Tsuka - The handle of a Japanese Katana

Hopefully these terms helped you out a bit and if you have any comments, please contact us.