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

158 Results

“Scratch and Dent Swords” text over a background of a sword laying on a tatami mat.

Scratch & Dent Sword Enigma Set

$27.99

Shikoto Touchstone Handmade Wakizashi / Samurai Sword - Hand Forged Clay Tempered T10 High Carbon Steel - Ray Skin; Iron Tsuba; Certificate of Authenticity - Functional, Full Tang, Battle Ready

Shikoto Touchstone Wakizashi

$339.99

Three Shinwa samurai swords with black cord wrapped handles laid atop an open red display box.

The katana, wakizashi, and tanto of the set laid side-by-side with detailed view of the black tsuba and showing swords on wooden display.

The three sword scabbards are maroon with natural pearl dragon design on the side.

All three swords have a white ray skin handle with black cord wrapped around it and brass menuki and have a wooden display.

Shinwa Pearl Maroon Samurai Sword Set

~~Price reduced from $1,172.99 to~~ $656.98 Save 44%

Musashi katana shown from various views with red glossy scabbard and dragon tsuba.

The katana measures 39 3/4" and is housed inside a glossy hand-painted red scabbard.

The white genuine ray skin handle is wrapped with black cord and has a menuki.

Musashi 1060 Carbon Steel Hand Forged Katana Sword

~~Price reduced from $178.99 to~~ $157.99 Save 12%

Shikoto Rurousha handmade katana shown with cast tsuba, wooden scabbard wrapped in leather to match the leather wrapped handle.

The lacquered wooden scabbard is shown with mottled color scheme and leather wrapping.

Zoomed view of the cast tsuba just beneath the leather wrapping of the handle.

The handle is wrapped with genuine leather for grip.

The scabbard has a black hanging cord wrapped around an ornamental piece that matches the brown leather wrapping of the handle.

Kanji is engraved into the Damascus steel blade, just below the brass habaki.

The handle is wrapped in genuine brown leather.

Shikoto Rurousha Handmade Katana / Samurai Sword

~~Price reduced from $458.99 to~~ $259.98 Save 43%

Different views of the Shikoto Tiger Wood Katana

A view of the blade, scabbard and handle

Shikoto Tigerwood Katana and Scabbard

$499.99

Shinwa Purple Majesty Samurai Sword

~~Price reduced from $245.99 to~~ $211.98 Save 14%

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

~~Price reduced from $264.99 to~~ $179.98 Save 32%

Different views of the Shikoto Longquan Master Double-Edged Sword

Shikoto Master Double-Edged Sword and Scabbard

~~Price reduced from $299.99 to~~ $262.98 Save 12%

Tomahawk Black Emperor katana shown with black lacquered scabbard, ray skin handle with black cord wrap, and black tsuba.

Zoomed view of the black-coated tsuba and black imitation ray skin handle wrapped with black nylon cord.

The black scabbard for the katana has a black hanging cord, matching the black nylon cord wrapping the handle.

Emperor Katana Sword With Scabbard

$57.99

Shinwa Colossus odachi laid next to lacquered black scabbard with detailed views of the dragon tsuba and ornate pommel.

The black lacquered wooden scabbard had a black hanging cord that matches the black cord of the handle.

The handle is made of genuine ray skin with braided black cord and brass menuki.

Zoomed shot of the brass menuki beneath the braided black cord wrapping the handle.

Detailed shot of the antique finished habaki with ornate bird.

The black cord of the handle wraps through the antique finished pommel.

The dragon tsuba sits just above “Shinwa” on the black Damascus blade.

Shinwa Colossus Yoru Handmade Odachi

~~Price reduced from $359.99 to~~ $282.98 Save 21%

The Sokojikara Hammered-Work Katana in different positions

Sokojikara Hammered-Work Katana and Scabbard

~~Price reduced from $443.99 to~~ $324.98 Save 27%

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