What is the difference between a katana, wakizashi, and tanto?

The katana is a long sword, the wakizashi is a shorter companion sword, and the tanto is a dagger. Traditionally, samurai would carry both a katana and wakizashi as part of a daisho set, with each sword serving a specific purpose.

What materials are used to make Japanese swords?

Japanese swords are typically made from high-carbon steel, Damascus steel, or folded steel for the blade. Handles are often wrapped in ray skin or cord, and scabbards are crafted from lacquered wood or leather.

Are Japanese swords functional or decorative?

TrueSwords.com offers both functional and decorative Japanese swords. Functional swords are suitable for martial arts or cutting practice, while others are designed mainly for display and collection.

What maintenance is required for a Japanese sword?

Regular maintenance includes cleaning the blade after use, applying a light coat of oil to prevent rust, and storing it in a dry place. This care ensures the blade's longevity and keeps it sharp.

Japanese Swords

147 Results

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

~~Price reduced from $124.99 to~~ NOW $102.98 You Save 18% -18%

The Kojiro Night Watch Three-Piece Sword Set gives you the full daisho of a Samurai warrior, which is a katana, wakizashi and tanto

Each sword has a black painted, wooden scabbard with a black cord and leather sword hanger and a wooden display stand is included

The handles are traditionally wrapped in faux ray skin and black cord and the blades are razor-sharp carbon steel

Kojiro Night Watch Three-Piece Sword Set And Display Stand

~~Price reduced from $141.99 to~~ NOW $73.98 You Save 48% -48%

Shinwa Scarlet Komodo Handmade Tanto / Samurai Short Sword - Hand Forged 1045 Carbon Steel - Mother of Pearl Dragon Inlay; Red Hand Lacquered Hardwood; Shirasaya Mounting - Ninja Stealth - Full Tang

Shinwa Scarlet Komodo Handmade Tanto

~~Price reduced from $247.99 to~~ NOW $177.98 You Save 28% -28%

Painstakingly handcrafted sword, using only the finest materials for spectacular visual allure and tremendous potency

The 40” overall katana slides smoothly into a blue, lacquered scabbard, accented with black and blue cord-wrap

The hardwood handle is wrapped in genuine black rayskin and blue cord and there’s an engraved brass habaki

Sokojikara Elephant God Katana And Scabbard

$417.99

Musha Hand-Forged Japanese Military Sword

$99.99

The 40” overall katana slides smoothly into a black, lacquered scabbard, accented with teal cord-wrap to match the handle

It has an antiqued brass, pommel with an intricately detailed standing crane and river design

The hardwood handle is wrapped in genuine gold-colored rayskin and teal cord and there’s an engraved brass habaki

The sword has a hand-forged, 29” clay-tempered 1095 carbon steel blade that’s razor-sharp and perfectly balanced

It has an antiqued brass, square tsuba with an intricately detailed standing crane and river design

Sokojikara Standing Crane Katana and Scabbard

$417.99

Shinwa Wellspring Handmade Tachi / Samurai Sword - Hand Forged Damascus Steel - Historical Katana Predecessor - Traditional Wooden Saya - Functional, Battle Ready, Full Tang

Shinwa Wellspring Handmade Tachi

$199.99

Shinwa Warrior Katana shown with black scabbard, ornate tsuba, and bright pink cord wrapped handle.

Three different views of the cast tsuba and pommel with dragon and scenery artwork.

The black scabbard is wrapped with a bright pink hanging cord that matches the pink cord of the handle.

Shinwa Pink Warrior Katana Sword

~~Price reduced from $236.99 to~~ NOW $169.98 You Save 28% -28%

The Shinwa Royal Defender Katana's tsuba, scabbard, blade and full length

The sword's handle, upper blade and scabbard

Two views of the purple, cord-wrapped handle

Shinwa Royal Defender Katana And Scabbard

$86.99

The Musha Hand-Forged Twin Musashi Katana is 38 3/4” overall

The sword comes with a black wooden scabbard

The Musha Hand-Forged Twin Musashi Katana has a traditional double-ring tsuba

The hardwood handle is wrapped in black, cotton cord with rayskin

The sword's blade is sharp, 1045 carbon steel

The traditionally wrapped handle has a metal-alloy pommel

The Musha Hand-Forged Twin Musashi Katana fits like a glove in its scabbard

Musashi Twin Katana

$109.99

Tomahawk Black Dragon three piece sword set shown with black, mother-of-pearl accented scabbard and on black wooden display.

The katana, wakizashi, and tanto are laid side-by-side, all with matching cord-wrapped hilt.

A detailed view of the mother-of-pearl dragon design on the side of the scabbard.

Black Dragon 3-Piece Sword Set

~~Price reduced from $138.99 to~~ NOW $68.98 You Save 50% -50%

Sokojikara Natsukashii Handmade Tachi / Samurai Sword - 1060 Carbon Steel, Clay Tempered, Hand Forged - Genuine Rayskin - Brown Saya - Fully Functional, Battle Ready, Full Tang - 41"

Sokojikara Natsukashii Handmade Tachi

$275.99

JAPANESE SWORD FAQS

What is the difference between a katana, wakizashi, and tanto?
The katana is a long sword, the wakizashi is a shorter companion sword, and the tanto is a dagger. Traditionally, samurai would carry both a katana and wakizashi as part of a daisho set, with each sword serving a specific purpose.
What is an odachi sword?
An odachi sword, also known as a nodachi, is basically a large katana, similar in size to a European “two-hander” or “Zweihander” sword. Whereas a katana would typically have a blade between 24 and 30 inches, an odachi sword would exceed 35 inches, with some being 50 or greater.
What is a shirasaya?
A shirasaya, or “white scabbard” is not a sword but a method of housing or storing a sword’s blade. When at home, a sword’s blade stock would be removed from the hilt and guard and placed in the wooden shirasaya, protecting the tang and blade from the elements, but rendering them easily removable and thereby accessible for oiling or routine maintenance. Effectively, the shirasaya is a way to store or transport the blade.
What materials are used to make Japanese swords?
Japanese swords are typically made from high-carbon steel, Damascus steel, or folded steel for the blade. Handles are often wrapped in ray skin or cord, and scabbards are crafted from lacquered wood or leather.
Are Japanese swords functional or decorative?
TrueSwords.com offers both functional and decorative Japanese swords. Functional swords are suitable for martial arts or cutting practice, while others are designed mainly for display and collection.
What is the value of a katana with a damascus blade?
Damascus steel is made by layering several different grades of steel together, conferring the benefits of each alloy to the new damascus matrix. As a result, some damascus steel blades are highly durable, wear-resistant, and corrosion resistant, among other beneficial attributes. Additionally, many find the unique patterns created in the surface of damascus steel to be an aesthetically pleasing selling point.
What maintenance is required for a Japanese sword?
Regular maintenance includes cleaning the blade after use, applying a light coat of oil to prevent rust, and storing it in a dry place. This care ensures the blade's longevity and keeps it sharp.