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

Using the age-old process of clay tempering, to forge swords that have the perfect balance of strength and flexibility

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

It has an antiqued brass, round tsuba with an intricately detailed tiger in an open design

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, round tsuba with an intricately detailed tiger in an open design and a pommel to match

Sokojikara Stalking Tiger Katana and Scabbard

~~Price reduced from $332.99 to~~ NOW $269.99 You Save 19% -19%

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%

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%

K Exclusive Generation Dragon katana shown next to scabbard and detailed view of faux ivory handle with dragon pommel.

View from the top of the faux ivory handle with intricate designs and dragon head.

Dragon Legacy Katana Sword

$51.99

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

~~Price reduced from $502.96 to~~ NOW $452.99 You Save 10% -10%

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

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

Musashi katana shown with metal tsuba, black scabbard, and ray skin handle wrapped in black cord.

The black hardwood scabbard has an high quality piano paint finish and the 1060 carbon steel blade point is razor sharp.

The glossy black scabbard has a black hanging cord just beneath the metal tsuba.

Musashi Carbon Steel Katana

$163.99

Different views of the Shinwa White Emperor Samurai Short Sword

The handle and the blade shown with the display stand

Shinwa Samurai Short Sword

~~Price reduced from $283.99 to~~ NOW $149.98 You Save 47% -47%

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

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.