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

Musha Raging Waters Katana shown in various views, including wave detailing on the tsuba and scabbard.

The black scabbard and pommel have wave-like symbols on them.

Detailed shot of the brass-colored habaki and 1045 carbon steel blade.

Musha Raging Waters Full Tang Battle Ready Katana

$86.99

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

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~~ NOW $259.98 You Save 43% -43%

This sleek, tactical looking wakizashi sword was inspired by the rogue, masterless Samurai warriors, who were called Ronin

The wakizashi sword comes housed in a black injection molded sheath and the sword is 27” in overall length

It has a keenly sharp, 17” stainless steel blade with a black finish and a faux rayskin, black nylon cord-wrapped handle

Black Ronin Combat Wakizashi Sword

$49.99

Kojiro Amberwood Chokuto Shirasaya

$104.99

Full image of the Shinwa Hand Forged Dragon's Embrace Katana with its included scabbard on a sword stand.

Full image of the Hand Forged Dragon's Embrace Katana and scabbard with part of the sword out of the scabbard.

Details and features of the Hand Forged Dragon's Embrace Katana.

Close up image of the Dragon's Embrace Katana's pommel and handle.

Close up image of the tsuba on the Katana.

Shinwa Hand Forged Dragon's Embrace Katana

$117.99

Sokojikara Falcon Katana shown with ornate tsuba, white scabbard, white cotton wrapped handle, and cleaning kit.

The white glossy scabbard is shown between the carbon steel blade point and ray skin handle with menuki.

The ray skin handle is wrapped in white cotton with a menuki and circular tsuba with wave and bird designs.

Sokojikara Falcon Katana Clay Tempered Folded Carbon Steel

~~Price reduced from $394.99 to~~ NOW $335.98 You Save 15% -15%

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%

Shinwa Dragon Lord katana from various views, with detailed shots of cast dragon tsuba, ornate pommel and lacquered scabbard.

The wooden scabbard with lacquered black with black hanging cord.

Detailing of the cast tsuba is shown with ornate dragon design.

Under the ray skin and black cord wrapped handle is a antiqued cast collar depicting a house and scenery.

The pommel is intricately designed with dragon detailing.

An ornate red box with handle and clasps houses the katana.

The black braided cord of the scabbard surrounds a gold detail.

The handle is black faux ray skin wrapped in braided black cord with menuki.

Shinwa Dragon Lord Handmade Katana

~~Price reduced from $169.99 to~~ NOW $149.98 You Save 12% -12%

Sword you’re looking for whether you’re an avid collector or a first-time owner, giving you quality and value far beyond the price

The hardwood handle is wrapped in faux rayskin and black cord and has an intricately detailed metal alloy tsuba

The full-tang, razor-sharp, sword has a 28”, 1045 carbon steel blade, which extends from a polished brass habaki

The 41” katana slides into a black lacquered wooden scabbard, accented with a hand-painted dragon and black cord-wrap

Kojiro Golden Dragon Katana

$105.99

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

Zoomed view of the blue, red, and green detailing of the faux ivory handle with ornate brass plated tsuba.

Sword of the Dragon shown next to black lacquered scabbard and view of detailed brass plated tsuba and dragon pommel.

The brass plated tsuba features an ornate dragon design.

The pommel has a dragon carved into the faux ivory.

Dragon Samurai Katana Sword

$51.99

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.