The katana is a Japanese sword used by Samurai, an aristocratic warrior class in feudal Japan. It has a curved, single-edged blade that is slender and a square or circular guard. The handle is long and traditionally wrapped in rayskin and then a "braid" of silk or cotton. The blade is sheathed in a scabbard, which is traditionally made of lacquered wood. This weapon was used for slashing and stabbing motions in combat, not necessarily for blocking or clashing.

What should I look for when buying a katana?

The first thing that needs to be considered is whether the sword is for display or functional use. Are you looking for a sword to use or just as a decorative item to wear or display? Once you decide on the purpose, you can explore various designs and ornamentation to find one that fits your personality, style, and budget.

What is that wavy line running down my blade?

Also known as the hamon, it’s the visual divide between the harder and softer metal of the blade. A katana’s blade needs to have a harder edge for retention and a softer spine for flexibility. This is achieved by having the two parts of the blade cool at different speeds during the forging process.

How do I take care of my katana?

Having a regular cleaning routine is key to maintaining your katana. You can purchase a traditional sword cleaning kit that contains everything you need. There are three steps: removing oil, polishing the blade, and oiling the blade. Using a sheet of rice paper from the kit or a soft cotton cloth, remove any oil from the previous maintenance. Tap the powder ball lightly against the blade about every two inches along its length. Use a fresh piece of rice paper to rub the powder over the blade, polishing it until both sides are polished and the powder is removed. Apply a few drops of oil along the blade on each side and spread it evenly with a fresh piece of rice paper.

What’s the difference between a katana and a wakizashi?

Samurai warriors typically carried two swords as part of their dress. The katana was their primary weapon for battle, while the wakizashi was used for close-quarters combat. The wakizashi is built like the katana but is shorter in length, serving as a companion sword.

Wooden Handle Katana, Realistic Katana, Handmade & Full-Tang Katanas

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Shinwa Royal Warrior Katana/Samurai sword with black lacquered scabbard, black nylon cord wrapped handle and sharp Damascus steel blade.

Zoomed view of custom winged tsuba design along with black scabbard and detailing of the hardwood handle wrapped in nylon cord.

Shinwa katana handle shown wrapped with black nylon cord.

Detailed view showcasing the faux ray skin of the handle wrapped with braided cord and metal adornment.

Closeup view of the sharp hand forged Damascus steel blade.

The tsuba is shown with a black detailed winglike pattern.

Detailed view of the black braided cording wrapped around the solid black lacquer hardwood scabbard.

Brass collar shown surrounding the Shinwa blade with another look at the winged tsuba.

Shinwa Royal Warrior Handmade Samurai Sword

$135.98 ~~Price reduced from $290.99 to~~

Shinwa White Knight katana closeup with view of ornate tsuba, white cord wrapped handle, and black Damascus steel blade.

The white cord wrapped katana handle matches the white hardwood scabbard with white hanging cord.

White braided cord wraps the faux rayskin handle of the sword with brass menuki.

Zoomed view of brass dragon tsuba and brass blade collar.

The white braided cord wrapping the handle runs through the ornate brass pommel.

The brass menuki sits atop the black faux ray skin handle, wrapped in white cord.

Zoomed view of the ornate brass habaki with depictions of a house and landscape.

White scabbard wrapped with white nylon hanging cord.

Shinwa White Knight Black Damascus Sword

$140.98 ~~Price reduced from $276.99 to~~

Honshu Boshin Wakizashi shown leaning against various pieces of tactical gear and weapons.

The black wooden scabbard has a black hanging cord.

Detailed view of the black TPR handle and steel guard and pommel with lanyard hole.

Zoomed view of the braided cord and leather wrapping of the black scabbard.

Closeup view of the metal guard and top of the high carbon steel blade.

The black TPD handle is textured for better grip.

The wakizashi measures 34” and has a 1060 high carbon steel blade.

Honshu Boshin Wakizashi

$149.99

Sword you’re looking for whether you’re an avid collector or a first-time owner, giving you quality and value far beyond the price

The 41” katana slides into a black lacquered wooden scabbard, accented with a red painted design and black cord-wrap

The hardwood handle is wrapped in faux rayskin and black cord and has an intricately detailed metal alloy tsuba

The full-tang, razor-sharp, sword has a 28”, 1045 carbon steel blade, which extends from a polished brass habaki

Kojiro Fire Dragon Katana 41"

$102.98 ~~Price reduced from $124.99 to~~

Last Samurai Spirit Katana shown atop traditional background with detailed view of the dragon tsuba and stand.

The black scabbard has traditional engravings and has a black hanging cord.

The circular cast tsuba has an ornate dragon design between the engraved carbon steel blade and cord wrapped handle.

Samurai Spirit Katana with Scabbard

$43.99

The Kojiro Apocalypse Katana is the weapon you need in a Post-Apocalyptic world to defend yourself against the raiding gangs

The 39” katana slides into a distressed leather-wrapped wooden scabbard, which has an adjustable leather shoulder strap

The hardwood handle has black faux rayskin and is wrapped in genuine brown leather to complement the blade

The dark metal alloy pommel has an intricate design

The dark metal alloy habaki has a reptile pattern and the dark metal alloy tsuba has an intricate Wind Dragon design

Kojiro Kraken Katana With Scabbard

$130.98 ~~Price reduced from $197.99 to~~

Shinwa Dragon Lord katana from various views, with detailed shots of cast dragon tsuba, ornate pommel and lacquered scabbard.

The wooden scabbard with lacquered black with black hanging cord.

Detailing of the cast tsuba is shown with ornate dragon design.

Under the ray skin and black cord wrapped handle is a antiqued cast collar depicting a house and scenery.

The pommel is intricately designed with dragon detailing.

An ornate red box with handle and clasps houses the katana.

The black braided cord of the scabbard surrounds a gold detail.

The handle is black faux ray skin wrapped in braided black cord with menuki.

Shinwa Dragon Lord Handmade Katana

$132.98 ~~Price reduced from $269.99 to~~

The Honshu Damascus Sub-hilt Wakizashi comes with a black wooden scabbard

The wakizashi has a 20 3/8” Damascus steel blade

The handle is TPR and the pommel is high carbon steel

Honshu Damascus Sub-hilt Wakizashi

$199.99

A three piece katana sword set displayed on wooden stand and shows a zoomed view of black dragon handguard with brass habaki

Shinwa 3 japanese swords encased in separate scabbards with handles wrapped in faux ray skin and black nylon cord

Shinwa black 3 piece japanese sword set displayed on a black lacquered wooden stand

Close view of faux rayskin handle wrapped with a black ito extracted from scabbard showing damascus steel and dragon tsuba

Zoomed view of faux rayskin handle wrapped with a black nylon cord extended from dragon handguard

Zoomed view of black nylon wrapped hilt and etched pommel with accents of gold

Close view of hand forged black damascus steel with a razor sharp blade and tip

Shinwa Black Knight 3-Piece Sword and Stand Set

$265.98 ~~Price reduced from $429.99 to~~

Musha three piece Samurai sword set shown side by side with zoomed views of the engraved blade and floral-like pommel.

All three swords have ray skin handles wrapped in black cording and coordinating red scabbards.

The three sword set is shown all with coordinating red scabbards on a wooden display and zoomed view of the handles.

Musha Red Hand Forged Samurai Sword Set

$92.98 ~~Price reduced from $143.99 to~~

Shinwa Imperial Dragon katana shown from various views, including detailed shot of metal tsuba, red scabbard, and black cord wrapped handle.

Hand-lacquered red scabbard features a mother-of-pearl dragon design on the side.

The handle is made from white genuine ray skin with black braided cord around it and brass menuki.

Detailed view of the mother-of-pearl dragon on the side of the red scabbard.

Close view of the brass menuki on the white ray skin handle with black braided cord.

Closeup of the metal tsuba with circular, floral type design.

Shinwa Imperial Dragon Handmade Katana

$267.98 ~~Price reduced from $517.99 to~~

The Sokojikara Hammered-Work Katana in different positions

Sokojikara Hammered-Work Katana and Scabbard

$324.98 ~~Price reduced from $443.99 to~~

JAPANESE KATANA FAQS

What is a katana?
The katana is a Japanese sword used by Samurai, an aristocratic warrior class in feudal Japan. It has a curved, single-edged blade that is slender and a square or circular guard. The handle is long and traditionally wrapped in rayskin and then a "braid" of silk or cotton. The blade is sheathed in a scabbard, which is traditionally made of lacquered wood. This weapon was used for slashing and stabbing motions in combat, not necessarily for blocking or clashing.
What should I look for when buying a katana?
The first thing that needs to be considered is whether the sword is for display or functional use. Are you looking for a sword to use or just as a decorative item to wear or display? Once you decide on the purpose, you can explore various designs and ornamentation to find one that fits your personality, style, and budget.
What is that wavy line running down my blade?
Also known as the hamon, it’s the visual divide between the harder and softer metal of the blade. A katana’s blade needs to have a harder edge for retention and a softer spine for flexibility. This is achieved by having the two parts of the blade cool at different speeds during the forging process.
How do I take care of my katana?
Having a regular cleaning routine is key to maintaining your katana. You can purchase a traditional sword cleaning kit that contains everything you need. There are three steps: removing oil, polishing the blade, and oiling the blade. Using a sheet of rice paper from the kit or a soft cotton cloth, remove any oil from the previous maintenance. Tap the powder ball lightly against the blade about every two inches along its length. Use a fresh piece of rice paper to rub the powder over the blade, polishing it until both sides are polished and the powder is removed. Apply a few drops of oil along the blade on each side and spread it evenly with a fresh piece of rice paper.
What’s the difference between a katana and a wakizashi?
Samurai warriors typically carried two swords as part of their dress. The katana was their primary weapon for battle, while the wakizashi was used for close-quarters combat. The wakizashi is built like the katana but is shorter in length, serving as a companion sword.

Japanese Katanas

JAPANESE KATANA FAQS