詞彙表

The handle of a small utility knife fitted in the scabbard

A skewer-like implement fitted in the scabbard

A plain wooden storage scabbard

A metal wedge-collar fitted between the blade and the scabbard

Thin metal spacers placed on both sides of the tsuba

The art of wrapping the handle with cord or leather

Ray skin used as the underlayer on the handle

The mouth of the scabbard where the blade enters

A knob on the scabbard through which the sageo cord is threaded

The cord tied to the scabbard

A hook on the scabbard that prevents the sword from slipping out

The highest rank for cutting ability among Japanese swords

The second-highest rank for cutting ability

A rank for swords with excellent cutting ability

The act or right of wearing a sword at the waist

The 1876 Meiji government edict prohibiting the wearing of swords

Tachi-style mountings, worn edge-down suspended from the waist

Uchigatana-style mountings, worn edge-up thrust through the belt

A battle-ready tachi used in the field

An ancient tachi style with a tweezers-shaped openwork handle

An ornate tachi with thread-wrapped handle and scabbard

The five major swordmaking traditions: Yamato, Yamashiro, Bizen, Soshu, and Mino

Swords made after 1596 (Keicho era)

Swords made before 1596 (Keicho era)

Swords made after approximately 1789 (Kansei era)

Swords made from the Meiji period onward

Fine polishing stone powder used for blade maintenance

Clove oil used to prevent rust on the blade

A general term for anti-rust oil applied to blades

Japanese paper used to wipe off old oil and dirt from the blade