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.

Odachi Sword, Japanese Sword, Katana Damascus Blade & Sets

156 Results

Sokojikara uses 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 red slashes and black cord-wrap

It has an antiqued brass, round tsuba with an intricately detailed demon monk and centipede design

Sokojikara Demon Monk Katana and Scabbard

$176.98 ~~Price reduced from $296.99 to~~

Musashi Bamboo Warrior Sword shown with bamboo design steel tsuba, black glossy scabbard and black cord wrapped handle.

The hardwood scabbard has a piano paint finish and black hanging cord, complimenting the black cord wrapped handle.

Musashi Bamboo Warrior Carbon Steel Katana Sword

$159.99

TOP PICK

Honshu Boshin Katana with carbon steel modern tactical samurai ninja sword with black tpr grip

Close view of honshu katana sword encased in black leather sageo

Close up view of steel pommel with lanyard hole and tpr rugged textured no slip handle

Close up view of sageo wrapped with a black cord around a black knob

Close up view of Honshu boshin katana carbon sharp steel blade

Zoomed view of stainless steel guard on a japanese sword

Honshu Boshin Katana

$129.99

Ghost Katana 3-Piece Carbon Steel Sword Set with Display Stand

Ghost Katana Carbon Steel Sword Set & Display Stand

$79.99

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 katana shown with zoomed view of tsuba, Damascus steel blade, and black lacquered katana on black wood display.

The black hardwood scabbard has teal hanging cord that matches the cord wrapped around the katana handle.

A detailed view of the Damascus steel blade and ornate cast metal tsuba.

The scabbard has a teal braided nylon hanging cord.

Zoomed view of the cast metal tsuba and teal cord wrapping the handle.

The teal braided cord of the handle wraps through the ornate pommel featuring a bearded man.

Detailed cast metal tsuba shown with themed artwork.

The 39” katana has a Damascus steel blade and teal cord wrapped handle with cast metal details.

Shinwa Teal Damascus Katana

$129.98 ~~Price reduced from $192.99 to~~

The Kojiro Black Tanto Sword, crafted with supreme Samurai style, is ready to be the ultimate back-up weapon to the legendary katana

The 17” overall tanto sword fits like a glove in a black, lacquered wooden scabbard with black cord accents

This Kojiro has a hair-splitting sharp, 11” 1045 carbon steel blade, which extends from a polished brass habaki and a black metal alloy guard

Kojiro Tanto Sword With Scabbard

$66.99

Twin Ninja Sword Sticks shown side-by-side with decorative metal handles and 15” 440 stainless steel blades.

The twin ninja sword sticks lock together, forming a 33 1/4" club.

The twin ninja sword sticks can combine to become a 63” double-bladed ninja spear.

Dual Ninja Sword Set

$33.97 ~~Price reduced from $49.99 to~~

Forged Warrior Emperor Odachi Sword shown in full with black and maroon cord wrapped handle and carbon steel blade.

Full side view of the Odachi sword with 35 1/2" heat forged carbon steel blade and black and maroon cord wrapped handle.

A man is shown holding the Odachi sword by its handle with chain pommel accent over his shoulder.

Detailed view of the classic black metal tsuba and the black cord wrapping of the handle.

Kojiro Forged Emperor Odachi Sword

$116.99

TOP PICK

Whether you’re battling adversaries on land or on sea, the Kraken Wakizashi puts the biting power of the mythic sea monster in your grip

The scabbard also has an adjustable leather shoulder strap so that you can just sling the sword over your shoulder and go

The black metal alloy, tsuba is embossed with a scene featuring the Kraken, the legendary monster of the deep

Kojiro Kraken Wakizashi With Scabbard

$79.98 ~~Price reduced from $99.99 to~~

K Exclusive Biohazard Katana shown from various views, with bio hazard symbol guard and black scabbard.

The neon green imitation ray skin of the katana handle is wrapped in black cord and has a black chain on the end.

The 38” katana has a black scabbard and black cord wrapped handle with neon green imitation ray skin underneath.

Bio Hazard Katana Saber

$29.99

Shinwa Golden Knight Katana Sword with Wooden Scabbard - 1045 High Carbon Steel - Genuine Ray Skin

Shinwa Golden Knight Katana Sword

$109.98 ~~Price reduced from $175.99 to~~

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.

Japanese Swords

JAPANESE SWORD FAQS