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Appreciation ・ Beginner
A beginner quiz on the names and locations of blade parts: nakago (tang), shinogi (ridge), yokote, monouchi, kissaki (tip), mune (spine), and sori (curvature). Try it alongside the /appreciation diagram.
The nakago (tang) is the base portion inserted into the hilt (tsuka), and is often where the swordsmith's signature (mei) is carved. Kissaki is the tip, monouchi is the striking area near the tip, and yokote is the line separating the kissaki from the rest of the blade. See the /appreciation diagram for reference.
The mune is the spine (back) of the blade, running opposite the cutting edge. The shinogi is the ridge line running between mune and ha (edge), the nakago is the tang, and the kissaki is the tip. See the top edge labeled 'mune' on the /appreciation anatomy diagram.
The yokote is the transverse line that visually separates the kissaki (tip section) from the rest of the blade body. The shinogi is the longitudinal ridge, the mune is the spine, and the monouchi is the striking zone near the tip. The yokote defines the extent of the kissaki, as shown on the /appreciation diagram.
The monouchi is the striking area occupying roughly the final third of the blade near the tip — the zone most critical for cutting. The nakago is the tang, the yokote marks the start of the kissaki, and the mune is the spine. See 'monouchi' on the /appreciation anatomy diagram.
The shinogi is the longitudinal ridge line running between the mune and the ha (edge), creating the characteristic cross-section geometry of the blade. On the /appreciation diagram it is shown as a dashed line labeled 'shinogi'. The yokote is a transverse line, kissaki is the tip, and nakago is the tang.
Sori refers to the curvature (arc) of the blade, which is closely related to the era, school, and intended use of the sword. The /appreciation diagram describes it as '反り（湾曲の深さ）'. The hamon is the wave pattern of the temper line, mei is the signature on the nakago, and kissaki shape is a separate appreciation point.