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

131 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%

Musashi Clay Tempered Katana shown next to black scabbard with detailed views of the antique finished tsuba and ray skin handle.

The black scabbard has a black hanging cord and both the pommel and tsuba has an antique finish.

Zoomed view of the hanging cord on the scabbard and brass colored habaki of the katana.

Musashi Clay Tempered Katana Sword

~~Price reduced from $178.99 to~~ NOW $157.99 You Save 12% -12%

Red Dragon Imperial Samurai Sword Set with three swords all have red coordinating scabbards and fit on a wooden display.

Each samurai sword has its own red wooden scabbard with dragon design down the side and red hanging cord.

Detailed view of the cast tsuba with dragon design just beneath the red cord wrapped handle.

Red Dragon Samurai Sword Set with Stand

$85.99

The Shinwa Crimson Defender Katana's handle, blade and scabbard

The red cord-wrapped handle shown in different positions

Shinwa Crimson Defender Katana

$90.99

20% OFF

The mark of a Samurai was the formidable weapon that he carried that became a part of him for the rest of his life

The 41 7/10” overall katana slides smoothly into a matte black, wooden scabbard with a black cord-wrap accent

The hardwood handle is wrapped in genuine, white rayskin and black cord and the tsuba is metal alloy in a golden dragon design

It has a 28”, razor-sharp 1045 carbon steel blade with a visible hamon, which extends from a brass habaki

Kojiro Golden Dragon Katana

$155.99

Shinwa’s Midnight Bamboo Katana is a masterpiece of design, meticulously hand-forged using ancient, time-honored techniques

The 41 1/2” overall katana slides smoothly into a black lacquered scabbard, which has decorative, black cord-wrap

The high-quality katana has a 27 3/8”, keenly sharp Damascus steel blade, which extends from a brass habaki

It has an expertly cord-wrapped hardwood handle and an intricately crafted bamboo-themed, cast metal alloy tsuba

Shinwa Midnight Bamboo Katana And Scabbard

$200.99

Shinwa katana shown with purple cord wrapped handle, Damascus steel blade, and ornate bronze colored tsuba.

Shinwa Regal Purple Damascus Steel Katana Sword

Shinwa Damascus Steel Katana Sword

~~Price reduced from $244.99 to~~ NOW $162.98 You Save 33% -33%

Shinwa Sunset Samurai Tachi Sword

~~Price reduced from $156.99 to~~ NOW $116.98 You Save 25% -25%

Shikoto Eternal Edge Wakizashi with Scabbard

Shikoto Eternal Edge Wakizashi

~~Price reduced from $339.99 to~~ NOW $288.60 You Save 15% -15%

The Kojiro Daisho Sword Set is an eye-catching triple sword collection just begging to be displayed in your home or office

The red wooden scabbards have gold-painted artwork, and each has a white cord and faux leather sword hanger

The set also comes with a high-quality, black wooden display stand

The decorative tsubas, pommels and the habakis are all gold-colored metal alloy, along with the accents on the scabbards

Each sword in the set has a razor-sharp, carbon steel blade and a faux rayskin and cord-wrapped wooden handle

Kojiro Imperial Red Daisho Sword Set

~~Price reduced from $133.99 to~~ NOW $90.98 You Save 32% -32%

The wooden sheaths of the katana, wakizashi, and tanto have ornate designs and cord wrappings, matching the swords’ hilts

The detailing of the sheath is shown next to an ornate knife and letter opener with gold and blue accenting with another view of the dragon tsuba.

3 Pc. Red Oda Nabunga Samurai Ninja Sword Set

~~Price reduced from $186.99 to~~ NOW $108.98 You Save 42% -42%

An incredible sword that has been meticulously-hand forged using ancient, time-honored tempering techniques

The 41 3/4” overall katana slides into its black, lacquered wooden scabbard, which has black cord-wrap accents

The wooden handle is wrapped in genuine rayskin and black cord and the tsuba is in the Miyamoto Musashi design

The 28 3/4”, hand-forged 1045 carbon steel blade is razor-sharp, and it extends from a brass habaki

Shinwa Miyamoto Katana

~~Price reduced from $196.99 to~~ NOW $104.98 You Save 47% -47%

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.