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

137 Results

The 69” Kojiro Kensai Japanese Odachi sword features a leather wrapped hardwood handle, coordinating wooden scabbard and unique guard.

The handle of the odachi sword is shown next to the scabbard, both wrapped with leather.

Kojiro Japanese Odachi Sword

$179.99

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

~~Price reduced from $143.99 to~~ NOW $92.98 You Save 35% -35%

Sokojikara Scorn Handmade Katana shown from different angles

The sword secured in its wooden scabbard

A close-up view of the decorative menuki

Sokojikara Scorn Handmade Katana

~~Price reduced from $460.99 to~~ NOW $280.98 You Save 39% -39%

Katana sword with dragon-themed guard and black scabbard on a stand

Katana on a stand with a mask and wooden box in the background

Diagram of a katana sword with dimensions and labeled parts

Close-up of katana handle and guard with intricate design

Full view of katana sword with detailed pommel on turquoise background

Samurai Spirit Katana with Scabbard

$43.99

Royal Blue Dragon Imperial Samurai Sword is a three piece set, shown on black display, with blue scabbard and handle.

Each of the three samurai swords has a blue coordinating wooden scabbard with dragon design on the side.

The cast tsuba of each of the three samurai swords features a dragon design beneath the blue cord wrapped handle.

Royal Blue Dragon Samurai Sword Set with Stand

$85.99

Highlander Dragon Katana

$79.99

Sokojikara Dynasty Handmade Katana / Samurai Sword - T10 High Carbon Steel, Hand Forged, Clay Tempered - Genuine Ray Skin; Bronze Tsuba - Functional, Full Tang, Battle Ready

Sokojikara T10 Steel Handmade Katana

~~Price reduced from $532.99 to~~ NOW $264.98 You Save 50% -50%

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

~~Price reduced from $52.99 to~~ NOW $45.98 You Save 13% -13%

Sokojikara Kitsune Katana shown next to wine-red wooden scabbard and with iron tsuba.

Wine-red wooden scabbard with brown hanging cord shown with sword inside.

The white genuine ray skin handle is wrapped brown cord and has a gold colored menuki.

Detailed view of the iron tsuba with branch detailing.

Zoomed view of the gold colored menuki beneath the brown cord wrapping of the handle.

The brown cord wrapping the handle is pulled through the katana’s pommel.

Detailed look at the speckled wine-red hardwood scabbard with brown hanging cord.

Just beneath the iron tsuba is a gold colored habaki.

Sokojikara Kitsune Handmade Katana

~~Price reduced from $545.99 to~~ NOW $312.98 You Save 43% -43%

Forged Warrior war sword shown with thick forged steel blade and 28” solid wood handle.

The sword’s curved blade is 25” and made of forged steel, shown on top of Chinese warrior art.

A man is shown holding the Chinese war sword with two hands on the wooden handle.

Forged Warrior Chinese War Sword

$97.99

Various views of the Sokojikara Crane Katana, including detailed crane tsuba, scabbard with ornate crane artwork, and crane detailed pommel.

The hand lacquered wooden scabbard has vibrant artwork of a crane with reds, blues, oranges and greens.

Zoomed view of the white ray skin handle with black braided cord wrapped and brass menuki.

Detailed view of the brass menuki beneath the cord wrapping of the handle.

Closeup look at the crane detailing on the katana’s pommel.

The cast tsuba features a brass-colored crane design.

The brightly colored scabbard has a black hanging cord.

Detailed look at the colorful crane artwork on the side of the wooden scabbard.

Sokojikara Soul Crane Handmade Katana

$638.99

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

~~Price reduced from $409.99 to~~ NOW $246.98 You Save 40% -40%

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.