A samurai sword, or Japanese sword, is one of the traditional cold weapons of Japan. There are many different types of Japanese swords based on size, wearing method, and purpose of the weapon. There are many different terminologies associated with samurai sword and its complicated forging process. Here at
www.xandlnet.com, we compiled this list of samurai sword terminology A-Z guide for sword enthusiasts to reference.
A
| Ai | Sword Tempering Process |
| Aikuchi | Short Japanese Tanto sword up to 1 foot long without tsuba |
| Akihagi No Tsuyu | A dew-like spot on the hamon |
| Aosan No Mitsuke | Straight temper lines on blade |
| Aoyaki No Kitae | A white gold line along dark ji portion of blade. |
| Arare No Midare | A traditional hamon style with small irregular lines mixed here and there in the hamon |
| Aratogi | The stage of Japanese sword forging before tempering |
| Asai No Tare | A type of hamon with shallow wavy lines |
| Asagido | A grindstone formerly used for Japanese sword forging |
| Ashi Sadamaru | A type of hamon with straigh line |
| Asobi Tama | A gem-like spot on the hamon |
| Atobi | Carvings on a blade by a smith after the sword is forged |
| Atobori | Carvings added later to decorate or to hide defects on the sword. |
| Ato Mei | Smith signature added after the forging date |
| Awase Do | Whetstone |
| Azuki Midare | Temper line on the Japanese sword that looks like a row of small beans |
B
| Bagai Mono | Japanese sword that made by average or lower class swordsmiths |
| Bakufu | Shogun military government |
| Batto | Sword drawing action |
| Bizen | A province in Japan, modern day Okayama, famous for its katana forging |
| Bizen-to | Japanese sword forged in Bizen province |
| Bizen Zori | A special kind Katana forging style with deep curvature close to the nakago area of the blade, also known as Koshi Zori. Japanese swords forged from Bizen province typicall carry this type of characteristics |
| Bohi | Wide groove on the blade, also called Hi |
| Bohi Soyebi | Wide groove beside a narrow groove |
| Bokken | Wooden sword normaly in Katana shape for kata sword practicing |
| Bokuto | Wood sword |
| Boshi | Temper line near kissaki (point) |
| Boshigata | Smooth and small round shape Boshi |
| Boshisaki | Tip of Boshi |
| Botan Ba | A peony flower pattern in the hamon about 6 inches below the kissaki in Katana blade |
| Bu | Japanese measurement unit (approx 0.1 inch) |
| Budachi | General name for Japanese military sword |
| Bugei | Martial Arts |
| Bueito | Special kind of Japanese Military sword in Tachi style |
| Bu Jin (Bujin) | "People of the Samurai Spirit." A philosophy of honor, respect, and contemplation of life's mysteries developed in both women and men, and the people who lived by the samurai code. |
| Buke | Miliarty men |
| Bun No Kitae | Japanese sword forging style in which the back half of the blade surface is faintly white |
| Bushido | A code of ethics, honor, and moral principles for Samurai. |
| Bushi | Another term for samurai - the warrior class |
C
| Chiburi | The action of slinging blood off the sword before re-sheath |
| Chigusa | A special kind of steel produced in Harima area. This type steel contains about 0.7% to 0.8% carbon (AISI 1070 1080 Grade High Carbon steel) |
| Chiisa (Chisa) katana | Shorter katana. A general term for all swords shorter than the katana but longer than wakizashi |
| Chikuto | A bamboo sword. Also, a bamboo fencing sword. In olden times a bamboo knife was used to cut the umbilical cord of new-born babies. |
| Chiri | The narrow surface on either side of a groove |
| Choji | Clove seed shaped folds in hamon |
| Choji Midare | Choji pattern with irregularity patterns in hamon |
| Choji Kage | Choji pattern with shiny spots in hamon |
| Choji Oil | Japanese sword care oil |
| Chokuto | Straight sword with single edge, ancient Japanese sword appeared before Katana |
| Chu-Handachi | Medium length tachi sword |
| Chu Kissaki | Medium sized kissaki (tip) |
| Chu Suguba | Medium size straight hamon |
D
| Dabira Hiro | Wide Japanese broadsword, similar to Chinese Dao, usually single edged |
| Dabira Seba | Narrow Japanese broadsword, usually single edged |
| Dai Mei | Student smith signing master's name on behalf of the master |
| Daimyo | Japanese feudal warlord |
| Daisho | Matching pair of katana and wakizashi |
| Daito | General name for long sword, such as Katana and Tachi |
| Dambira(Danpira, Dabira) | Very wide blade |
| Denaori | Re-tempered blade |
| Dogane | A metal band around the tsuka |
| Doran (Toran) | High wave patterns hamon |
| Doyo No Juka | Double choji patterns of different sizes along the blade |
E
| Ebira Katana | Extra long sword carried on the back, also called seoi katana |
| Eboshigata | Boshi pattern that looks like feudal offical hat |
F
| Fuchi | Hilt collar between tsuba and tsuka |
| Fukura | Kissaki cutting edge |
| Fukura Karu | Sharply curved kissaki edge |
| Fukura-Kareru | Straight line kissaki edge |
| Fukura-Sugu | Nearly straight line kissaki edge |
| Fukura-Tsuku | Curved kissaki edge |
| Fukure | Flaws on the blade |
| Funagata | Ship bottom shaped nakago |
| Funbari | Type of katana blade that is noticeably wider near the base notch than regular katana blade |
| Furisode | A style of Japanese sword tang construction with the end deeply curved toward the back side which resembles a kimono sleeve |
| Futamata Yari | Two prong spear |
| Futokoro Katana | Katana or tanto sword that can be worn inside of cloth. Normally without tsuba |
G
| Gaku Mei | Signature from original nakago inserted in shortened (o-suriage) nakago |
| Gendaito | Traditionally forged sword blades by modern smiths before WWII |
| Gennoba Tetsu | Steel of 0.3 to 0.4% carbon, softer low carbon steel |
| Gijoto | Ceremonial court sword, the mountings on the sword indicate the rank of the wearer. |
| Ginken | Iron sword with silver plated fittings, commonly used as gift |
| Gimei | A false signature of a well known smith on a blade |
| Gin No Ha | Silvery lines about one to three inches long appearing along a straight temper line or on the surface of blades |
| Gito | General term for ceremonial swords |
| Gomae Kitae | Five layer sword forging |
| Gonome Midare | Irregularly waved hamon |
| Gunome | Wavy hamon |
| Gunto | Machine made blade for Japanese army or military sword |
| Gyaku | Reversed or slanted hamon patterns |
| Gyaku Ashi | Hamon patterns with reversed slanted ashi pattern |
| Gyaku Choji | Hamon patterns with reversed slanted Choji pattern |
H
| Hirazaya Tachi | A tachi only placed in Imperial carriage |
| Hirazukuri | Flat surface blade without shinogi ridges |
| Hiro Suguba | Wide straight temper line |
| Hisaki-Agaru | Style of Bo-Hi that reaches the kissaki |
| Kisaki-Sagaru | Style of Bo-Hi that does not reach the point. |
| Hishu (Hishu-Katana) | Short dagger |
| Hitatsura | Full temper pattern scattered all over the blade |
| Hitoye Habaki | One piece habaki |
| Ho | Kozuba blade |
| Hocho Tetsu | Soft steel contains 0.1 to 0.3% |
| Hokkoku-Midare | Zigzag hamon pattern |
| Honsanmai Gitae | A three blade lamination forging+B37 |
| Horimono | Engravings on blade, usually at the bottome of the blade near tsuba |
| Hoso Suguba | Narrow straight yakiba |
| Hotsure | Strays along a hamon |
| Hoso Dachi | Slim decorative ceremonial tachi not for actual use |
| Hyotan Ba | Gourd shape irregular patterns Hamon |
I
| Iaito (Iaido) | Imitation katana used for practicing some Japanese sword |
| Ibuse | Big round boshi on tachi sword, typically seen in Northern Japan |
| Ichimae Gitae | Blades forged from one piece of steel |
| Ichimai | one-piece sword construction |
| Ichimai Boshi | Fully templered Kissaki |
| Ikari Kissaki | Strong curve on Kissaki |
| Imono Tsuru | Thick nie hamon line like sweet potato vine |
| Inazuma | Lightening shape marks in yakiba or hada |
| Irokogata | Fish scales patterend hamon |
| Ito | Silk or cotton hilt wrapping |
| Itomaki No Tachi | Tachi with top of saya wrapped with ito |
| Ito Sugu | Thin, thread like hamon |
| Ito Sugba | Narrow straight yakiba |
J
| Jami | Steel contains 0.3 to 0.4% carbon, medium carbon steel |
| Ji (Hiraji) | Sword surface between the shinogi and the hamon |
| Ji Gane (Jigane, Shigane) | Soft sword steel |
| Ji Han Getsu | Half moon patterns in Ji |
| Jindachi (Jintachi) | Another name for Tachi sword |
| Jinto | A fighting Tachi sword |
| Jin Wakizashi | Medium length sword worn with a tachi |
| Juka | Reheated or re-tempered blade |
| Jukaba | Large choji hamon |
| Juka Choji | Double choji patterned hamon |
| Jumonji Yari | A spear with doubled-edged cross blades |
| Juzu | Rosary bead shaped hamon |
K
| Kabuto | A helmet used with traditional Japanese armour as worn by samurai |
| Kabuto Gane | Tachi style pommel cap |
| Kabuto-Wari | Helmet breaker, it's a square pointed rod about 12" long with hook |
| Kadoba | Box pattern hamon |
| Kagehi | Small groove beside a regular groove on a blade |
| Kai Gunto | WWII Imperial Naval sword |
| Kaji | Japanese swordsmith |
| Kaki Nagashi | Pointed shape end of groove |
| Kaki Toshi | Groove continuing to end of sword tang |
| Kaku Dome | Square shape end of groove |
| Kaku-Mune | Square shaped back ridge of sword |
| Kamakura Mono | A general term for Japanese sword forged by most famous swordsmiths including Shintogo Kunimitsu, Yukimitsu, Masamune, Sadamine in Sagami province. |
| Kamasu Kado (Kamasu Zukuri) | Large kissaki with straight edge |
| Kamishimo Zashi (Kamishimozashi) | Daisho sword pair with conservative black mountings |
| Kamon (mon) | Family crest |
| Kanasuji | Small wood grain pattern near the cutting edge |
| Kana Toku | Anvil |
| Kan No Ha | A straight line patterned hamon continues all the way to just above the yokote, then curving with the kissaki, the line finishes at about touching the blade edge |
| Kanmuri Otoshi | Beveled back ridge |
| Kao | Carved monogram of swordsmith on nakago |
| Kashira | Cap at the end of tsuka |
| Katachiri | Flat surface left by groove that extends to shinogi |
| Katakiri | Japanese sword with one side entirely flat |
| Katakiri Ba | Blades sharpened to one side only, similar to chisel grind |
| Katana | Long sword |
| Katana Kaji | Swordsmith |
| Katana Kake | Sword stand |
| Katana Mei | Katana signature |
| Katana Hai | The back of the katana blade |
| Katana Shin | Katana blade |
| Kawazu Choji (Kawadzunoko-Choji) | Mmushroom shape choji hamon |
| Kawagane | Medium hardness steel, used mainly for blade surface folding |
| Keiko | Practice battle |
| KEN | Straight double edged sword |
| Kengata Choji | Fist shape choji hamon pattern |
| Kenshi | A sword master |
| Kesso | Groove on the blade, same as Hi, Bo-Hi |
| Kibaha | Saw tooth pattern hamon |
| Kidachi | Wooden fencing sword |
| Kijino Tachi | Ceremonial tachi to welcome emperor's visit |
| Kikuba | Chrysanthemum patterned hamon |
| Kikushui Ba | Chrysanthemum blossoms floating on water patterned hamon |
| Kiri | Paulownia, royal tree in Japanese culture |
| Kiri Ha Tachi | Long tachi with straight kissaki |
| Tameshi Kiri (Kiri Tameshi) | Blade cutting tests, also called Tameshigiri |
| Kissaki | The tip portion of Japanese sword |
| Kitae | Sword forging |
| Kitae Kata | Sword forging methods |
| Kobuse | Sword forging method with hagane ( harder surface steel) and shingane (soft core steel) |
| Kochoji | Small choji pattened hamon |
| Kodachi | Short tachi sword |
| Kogarasu Tsukuri | Blade with shinogi ridge turning into sharp edge towards kissaki |
| Kogatana | Short Japanese knife with a hole or ring at pommel |
| Koiguchi (Koyiguchi, Koyiguci) | Mouth and the mouth fitting of the saya |
| Kojiri (Sayajiri) | Bottom end and its fitting on saya |
| Ko Mei | Small text on nakago |
| Ko Shinogi | Shinogi continue on all the way into kissaki |
| Koshizashi | Short dagger |
| Ko Wakizashi | Short wakizashi, approximately 12"-16" long |
| Kuge Tachi | Tachi used by Imperial family |
| Kurikata (Kurigata) | Fittings on saya for tieing sageo cord |
| Kusungobu | Armor piercing tanto, aame as Yoroidoshi |
| Kwai-Ken | Short tanto that can be carried inside clothing |
M
| Machi | Notches in blade to stop habaki, Ha-Machi (edge notch), Mnue-Machi (back notch) |
| Makura Dashi | A pillow sword |
| Makuri Gitae | Folding technique by wrapping the kawagane (medium steel) around the shingane (soft steel) |
| Mamori Katana | Short Japanese tanto, first sword for a boy under 5 years old |
| Maru (Maru-Kitae) | Japanese sword forged from one single piece of steel, no folding or wrapping invovled |
| Maru Dome | Round shaped groove end |
| Maru Mune | Round shaped mune (back of the black) |
| Matsuba Saki | Blade surface between back and small ridge above yokote |
| Mei | Signature engraved on Japanese sword, usually in nakago |
| Mekugi | Bamboo peg or metal rivet holding the handle on a sword |
| Mekugi Ana | Mekugi hole in nakago |
| Mempo | Face guard, mask |
| Menuki | Ornament under ito to improve grip |
| Metezashi | Dagger with red wood handles |
| Mi | The blade portion of Japanese sword |
| Midare Choji | Irregular Choji hammon pattern |
| Mihakashi | Emperor's sword |
| Mimigata | Ear shaped hamon pattern |
| Mitokoro Mono | Matching set of kozuka, kogai and menuki |
| Mitsumata Yari | Three prong spear, like a Trident |
| Mitsu Mune | Three surface blade back |
| Mizuheshi | Water tempering process, the heating and chilling in water to harden the edge of the blade |
| Mokko | Four leaves tsuba shape |
| Mon (Kamon) | Family crest |
| Mon Habaki | Family crest habaki |
| Mono-Uchi (Mono-Uci) | Striking potion of the katana blade, usually 4-5 inches below kissaki |
| Mono Nogu | Armor |
| Moraha | Double edged Japanese sword, Ryoba |
| Moroha Tsukuri | Short double edged Japanese sword |
| Motagi | Decorative menuki head |
| Muku Kitae | Forging method using almost pure iron |
| Mumei | Unsigned sword |
| Mune | Back ridge of the blade |
| Mune Machi | Back notch on the blade to stop habaki |
| Munesuji | Center ridge line at mune |
| Mune Uchi | Use the back of the blade to strick |
| Mune Yaki | Hamon on mune |
N
| Nagadachi | Extra Long sword, same as Nodachi |
| Nagae Katana | Same as Nodachi |
| Nagamaki | Same as Nodachi |
| Naginata | Short sword mounted on long handle, a polearm |
| Nakago | Sword tang |
| Nakago Jiri | End of Nakago |
| Nakago Mune | Back of Nakago |
| Nakago Saki | Tip of Nakago |
| Nakago Shinogiji | Nakago ridge |
| Nakago Shiri | Nakago tip surface |
| Nie | White crystals in Ji and/or Hamon |
| Nie Deki | white crystal hamon |
| Nihonbi | Double groove on blade |
| Nihontou | Japanese sword |
| Nijuba | Double hamon |
| Ninjato (Ninjaken) | Ninja sword |
| Nioi | Finer and darker crystals than nie, also found in Ji and/or hamon |
| Nodachi | Extra Long sword, also called great field sword, used mainly by foot soilders when dealing with calvary |
| Notare | Wavy hamon pattern |
O
| Obi | Belt sash |
| O-Choji | Large choji patter on Hamon |
| Odachi | Very long katana sword, normally between 65-80 inches, carried mainly by calvary |
| Oino Dachi | Large sword carried on the back. Same as seoi tachi. |
| O-Kissaki | Large Kissaki |
| Omote | Outter side of the Japanese sword when it's worn. The side againste body (inner side) is called Ura. Katana Omote and Tachi Omote are opposite due to the style of wearing |
| On Ken | Another name for Wakizashi |
| O-Notare | Large wave patterned hamon |
| Ori Awase Ni-Mai | Two plate folidng techinique for Japanese sword forging |
| Ori Awase San-Mai | Three plate folidng techinique for Japanese sword forging |
| Origami | Certificate of appraisal |
| Osame Tachi | Ceremonial tachi offered to shrines |
| Otachi | Very long tachi sword |
| Oto | Another name for tachi |
| O-Wakizashi | Long wakizashi, wakizashi that's about 2 feet long |
R
| Ryoba | Double edged sword |
| Ryojiri | Flat surfaces on either side of groove in the shinogi |
| Ryu | Dragon horimono |
| Ryugo Choji | Choji patterns that look like dragon head |
S
| Sabidoro | Clay coating for tempering purpose |
| Sageo (Sagiyo) | Cord attached to kurikata on one side of saya |
| Saka-Choji | Choji pattern slanting down towards the bottom of the blade |
| Saka-Te | Holding sword with kissaki down |
| Sakazuno | Hook fittings on wakizashi and tanto |
| Same (Same Kawa) | Patch of sking from the belly of giant ray, used to wrap tsuka and sometimes saya |
| Samurai | Warriors |
| Sanbonsugi | Three cedar tree pattened hamon |
| Sanmai Kitae | Three layer folding technique |
| Sash Gatana | Medium length wakizashi |
| Sashi Utsumuku | Tanto with back curved toward cutting edge |
| Saya | Japanese sword scabbard |
| Sayaguchi | Same as koyiguchi, mouth of saya |
| Seki Gane | Soft metal plug in tsuka |
| Sena | Ridge of the sword |
| Seoi Tachi | Large tachi used in battle field |
| Seppa | Washer in between habaki and tusba |
| Shihozumei | 5 layer folding techinque, with shigane core, hagane edge, and kawagane mune, shinogi and shinogi ji |
| Shimotsu Tachi | Gift sword for New year or wedding |
| Shinai | Kendo bamboo sword |
| Shin Gane | Soft steel, mainly used for core during Japanese sword forging |
| Shinogi | Ridges on each side of the blade |
| Shinogi Hikushi | Flat shinogi |
| Shinogi Ji | Flat surface between the mune and shinogi on Japanese sword |
| Shinsakuto | Japanese swords made after WWII |
| Shirasaya (Shira Saya) | Originally referring to one piece wood sword storage, eventually evolved into a unique form of Japanese sword in which the tsuka and saya becomes one piece wood stick when the sword is concealed |
| Shita Gitae | The heating-forging-folding process of making sword steel |
| Shitodome | Small collars in the kurikata and/or kashira |
| Shogun | Military dictators of Japan from 1192 to 1867. |
| SHUMEI | Red lacquer signature |
| Shuri Ken | Throwing knife |
| Soshu Kitae | 7 layer folding technique, with shigane core, hagane edge, mune, shinogi and shinogi ji, and layers of kawagne inbtween hagane and shigane. This is the most complexed folding method, used by famous sword smith Masamune |
| Sugaba (Sugaha) | Straight hamon line |
T
| Tachi | Long sword more curved and longer than katana, often worn with edge down as oppose to katana |
| Tachi Kaki | Tachi cutting dance |
| Takendo Gatana | Bambo fencing sword |
| Tamahagane | Jewel steel, steel made from black sands, mainly used for samurai sword forging |
| Tameshigiri | Sword cutting test |
| Tanto | Dagger or knife shorter than 1 foot |
| Tanzaku Kitae | Mixed steel forging |
| To (Tou) | Sword |
| Tsuba (Suba) | Sword guard |
| Tsuchi | Small hammer for removing mekugi in tsuka |
| Tsuka | Samurai sword handle |
| Tsuka Gashira | Pommel |
| Tsuka Guchi | Hole in tsuka to insert nagako |
| Tsukeo | Cords attached to tsuba or tsuka |
U
| Uchiko | Powder for cleaning sword |
| Uchizori | Curved toward cutting edge, like a reverse sword |
| Udenuki | Cord on saya |
| Uma-ha | Horse teech patteneed hamon |
| Ura | Side of samurai sword against body when worn |
| Ura Mei | Signature on ura side, ususaly the forging date |
| Urizane | Oval shape mekugi ana, sometime is gourd shape |
W
| Waki | Boundary between ji and yakiba |
| Wakizashi | Medium length sword from 12 to 24 inches |
| Wariha Gitae (Wariha Tetsu) | Forging technique with hagane edge inserting into hawagane sword body |
| Warikomi Kitae | Same as Wariha-gitae, a simple and popular method for forging Samurai swords |
Y
| Yagen Doshi | A short heavy armor smashing Samurai sword |
| Yakiba Watashi | Hardening and tempering process |
| Yakidashi | Hamon beginning above hamach |
| Yama Gatana | Mountain knife, hunting dagger |
| Yamazakura | Choji patten look like cherry blossom |
| Yanone | Arrow head |
| Yari | Japanese spear |
| Yokete | Line between ji and kissaki |
| Yokote Shita | Small surface just below yokote |
| Yokote Uye | Small surface just above yokote |
| Yokotegiri | Horizontal cut with a sword |
| Yoroidoshi | Armor cutting tanto, usually double edged |
REFERENCES:
Tom Kishida, Kenji Mishina: The Yasukuni swords: rare weapons of Japan, 1933-1945
John M. Yumoto: The samurai sword: a handbook
George Cameron Stone: A Glossary of the Construction, Decoration and Use of Arms and Armor
Nick Evangelista: The encyclopedia of the sword
Kōkan Nagayama: The connoisseur's book of Japanese swords
Leon Kapp, Hiroko Kapp, Yoshindo Yoshihara: Modern Japanese swords and swordsmiths: from 1868 to the present
www.wikipedia.com
