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

130 Results

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

Musashi katana shown beside red glossy scabbard with detailed shots of the cord wrapped handle and antique-finished tsuba.

The red hand-painted scabbard shown with katana inside between zoomed shots of the pommel and blade point.

Just beneath the antique finished tsuba is a brass habaki.

Musashi Clay Tempered 1060 Carbon Steel Katana Sword

$162.99

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%

Kojiro White Zombie Slayer Katana Sword and Leather Wrapped Scabbard

$115.99

Musashi katana with black glossy scabbard, steel tsuba, and ray skin handle wrapped with cord.

The glossy black scabbard is shown next to a zoomed view of the 1060 high carbon steel blade of the katana.

The brass colored habaki compliments the steel tsuba.

Musashi Black Polished Ryoushi Katana Sword

$163.99

Sokojikara Pearl Zen Katana shown with bright red cord wrapping on the handle and scabbard and cast tsuba.

The side of the black glossy scabbard has a mother of pearl dragon design inlay, just beneath the bright red hanging cord.

The brass tsuba has a dragon design just beneath the bright red cord wrap of the handle.

A brass menuki is featured on the black ray skin handle with red cord wrap.

The brass tsuba has a swirling dragon design.

A bright red hanging cord is tied around the glossy black scabbard.

Sokojikara Pearl Zen Handmade Katana / Samurai Sword - Hand Forged, Clay Tempered 1045 Carbon Steel - Mother of Pearl Dragon Inlay - Ray Skin; Brass Tsuba - Functional, Full Tang, Battle Ready

~~Price reduced from $419.99 to~~ NOW $248.98 You Save 41% -41%

Musashi Midnight Warrior Katana shown with detailed view of brass tsuba, blue scabbard, blue handle, and display box.

The glossy blue katana has a black and blue hanging cord and is shown alongside a detailed view of the blade point.

The genuine ray skin handle is wrapped in blue cotton cord with a menuki.

Musashi Midnight Warrior Katana

$377.99

The Shinwa Samurai Tachi Sword in and out of its scabbard

A view of the handle, blade and scabbard

Shinwa Tachi 1045 Carbon Sword

~~Price reduced from $159.99 to~~ NOW $139.98 You Save 13% -13%

Shinwa Purple Empress Short Samurai Sword

Shinwa Purple Empress Samurai Sword

~~Price reduced from $283.99 to~~ NOW $195.98 You Save 31% -31%

Sokojikara Bambusa Katana shown from various views, with detailed look at the pommel with lattice design and wood scabbard.

The natural wooden scabbard has a brown hanging cord, matching the brown cord wrapping the handle.

The white ray skin handle is wrapped in brown cord with brass menuki.

The brown cord wrapping of the handle is pulled through the pommel.

Detailed view of the brass menuki peaking out from the brown cord wrapping of the handle.

Sokojikara Bambusa Handmade Katana

~~Price reduced from $546.99 to~~ NOW $317.98 You Save 42% -42%

Shikotoa Eternal Edge Katana and Scabbard

Shikoto Eternal Edge Katana

~~Price reduced from $369.99 to~~ NOW $306.80 You Save 17% -17%

Mystery Katana Four-Pack - Brand-New Functional Katanas, Variety

~~Price reduced from $398.99 to~~ NOW $359.98 You Save 10% -10%

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.