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Articles explaining tachi, katana, wakizashi, tanto, naginata and the geometry of the blade.
Moroha-zukuri refers to Japanese sword blades sharpened on both edges. This article explores its structure, historical context from ancient warabite swords to Kamakura-period examples, and its place in Japanese blade typology.
Classification, battlefield use, and famous surviving examples of ōdachi and nodachi—Japanese swords with blades exceeding 90 cm, which flourished during the turbulent Nanbokuchō and Muromachi periods.
The nagamaki is a type of Japanese sword featuring a long handle roughly equal in length to the blade. Used on battlefields from the Nanbokucho to Sengoku periods, this article explains its structure, use, and notable surviving examples.
Classification by blade length. Tachi vs katana, wakizashi vs tanto boundaries, and how to choose.
A comprehensive explanation of the characteristics of Kikuichimonji, which stands at the pinnacle of the Ichimonji School known as Emperor Go-Toba's court-appointed swordsmiths, methods for authenticating it, and the beauty of its surviving masterpieces.
The kissaki (blade tip) of Japanese swords changes dramatically according to period and school. This article explains the morphological characteristics of inokubi, o-kissaki, chu-kissaki, and ko-kissaki, and the historical context behind their emergence.
Reading the types and meanings of carvings engraved on Japanese sword blades through the lens of spiritual history and religious iconography.
An explanation of the system of mythological swords, beginning with the Totsuka-no-Tsurugi (Ten-Fist Sword) that appears in Japan's founding myths. Covers the types, names, and mythological roles of major divine swords in the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki, archaeological and ritual connections to historical swords, and the long-term influence of mythological swords on the spirituality and design of Japanese swords.
An explanation of how samurai actually carried swords in battle during the Sengoku period, examining the relationship between kogusoku, koshigatana, uchigatana, and wakizashi.
A detailed explanation of sageo—the braided cord attached to Japanese sword scabbards—covering types, materials, color symbolism, and school-specific tying methods.
A detailed examination of the jintachi's physical characteristics, ceremonial significance, decorative mountings, and the masterpieces that survive to this day.
Explains the role and production process of the shirasaya (plain wood scabbard) in tanto preservation, covering the shirasaya craftsman's skills from wood selection to finishing, the scientific basis for humidity and temperature management, practical maintenance with uchiko and choji oil, and a systematic overview of tanto preservation practices compared to museum long-term storage protocols.
A systematic examination of the wakizashi, the companion sword carried alongside the katana (uchigatana) by Edo-period samurai, covering its dimensional regulations, uses (indoor self-defense, seppuku, coup de grâce), the hierarchy of its mountings, regional characteristics of production, and modern valuation. Also discusses the cultural significance of the daisho (paired long and short swords).
A comparative analysis of three blade types closely related to the tanto—the kaiken, koshigatana, and yoroidoshi—examining differences in blade length, cross-section, mounting style, and function, and how each was positioned within samurai society.
An examination of the metezashi, the short sword worn on the right (bow) side by mounted samurai during the Sengoku period, covering its structure, tactical role, relationship to the yundetezashi worn on the left side, blade morphology, surviving examples, and its place in contemporary sword collecting.
A detailed examination of the kirihazukuri blade cross-section, covering its relationship to armor-piercing tanto and converted naginata, historical origins in the Nanbokucho period, technical characteristics including thickness and edge angle, and connoisseurship guidance for surviving examples.
The naginata features a curved blade mounted on a long shaft. This article explains its historical evolution, modern budo specifications, measurement standards, and appreciation points for sword collectors.
A detailed analysis of why the yari spear displaced the naginata halberd as the dominant infantry weapon during the transition to the Sengoku period.
An explanation of the kacchudoshi, a specialized short blade designed to penetrate gaps in medieval Japanese armor, covering its unique blade geometry, materials, combat techniques, and how it differs from the yoroidoshi.
An explanation of the rare 'Kogarasumaru-zukuri' blade form, which features a double-edged tip and single-edged body. Covers its origins, historical significance, surviving examples, and appraisal criteria.
A comprehensive explanation from the naginata's structure and nomenclature of each component, its origins in the Heian period, its establishment as a female martial art in the Edo period, to the modern competitive system of naginata-do. This article also introduces the blade shape, types by school, and evaluation criteria as an art object.
A comprehensive guide to Japanese metal weapons and arrest tools that complemented the sword: the tessen (iron war fan), jitte (the hook-armed truncheon carried by police officers), manriki-kusari, and tekko-kagi. Examines their structure, function, and role in Edo-period law enforcement from the perspective of Japanese sword culture.
An explanation of the history, form, and transmission of the famous blade "Kogarasumaru" crafted in the early Heian period. Explores its unique blade structure as an intermediate form between double-edged (morohashira) and single-edged (kataha) designs, its lineage as a transmitted treasure of the Kanmu Heishi clan, its current location at the Imperial Household Agency's Sanomaru Shozo-kan, its cultural heritage value, and its crucial position in the history of Japanese blade formation.
An explanation of the samurai daishō system and the social role of the wakizashi. Systematically introduces classification by blade length, characteristics of construction, and evaluation in the modern collector's market.
This article examines the Dotanuki, a heavy sword designed for cutting through armor in the late Muromachi and Warring States periods.
An exploration of the extremely rare kakuuchi tanto, featuring a square cross-section, its historical context, and surviving cultural properties.
A comprehensive look at the history, evolution, and major types of naginata (Japanese glaives). Traces their origins as anti-cavalry weapons, their transformation into a symbol of women's martial arts in the Edo period, and their relationship with nihonto through the practice of naginata-naoshi conversion.
The yoroidoshi tanto was specifically designed to pierce medieval Japanese armor. This article explores the unique blade geometry, metallurgical properties, and combat applications that made this short blade so deadly against armored opponents.
Higo and Edo koshirae represent two major sword mounting styles of the Edo period. The austere functional beauty of Higo contrasts sharply with the elaborate decorative splendor of Edo, embodying the philosophical differences between domain cultures. This article compares their structures, designs, master craftsmen, and modern valuation.
A detailed examination of the distinctive handle structure, craftsmanship, historical background, and influence on later sword styles of the kenukigata tachi, which appeared in the early Heian period.
An exploration of the kaiken dagger's history, structure, and cultural roles. From self-defense tool of samurai women to wedding trousseau and last resort, this article examines the multiple meanings of this small blade and notable surviving examples.
An exploration of naginata-naoshi—the historical practice of converting naginata polearms into short swords or katana during the Muromachi through Edo periods. Covers the historical reasons for conversion, the distinctive morphological features of converted blades, and how appraisers identify naginata-naoshi today.
From Yayoi-period bronze swords to kofun-era ring-pommel blades and the imperial regalia Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi, this article traces the evolution of Japan's ancient double-edged swords in terms of form, function, and religious significance.
