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

130 Results

Inspired by a historical movie franchise weapon, Sokojikara’s The Bride’s Sword has all the details that you’re looking for

The 28 1/2” 1095 carbon steel blade has the requisite Japanese lion etched on it just below the brass habaki

The hardwood handle is wrapped in white rayskin and intricately braided black cord over a leaf-shaped silver metal menuki

Sokojikara The Bride’s Sword and Scabbard

~~Price reduced from $272.99 to~~ NOW $199.99 You Save 27% -27%

Musashi Midnight Warrior Katana shown with detailed view of brass tsuba, blue scabbard, blue handle, and display box.

The glossy blue katana has a black and blue hanging cord and is shown alongside a detailed view of the blade point.

The genuine ray skin handle is wrapped in blue cotton cord with a menuki.

Musashi Midnight Warrior Katana

$377.99

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~~ NOW $157.99 You Save 12% -12%

Musashi Woven Bamboo Samurai Sword - Hand-Forged

Musashi Woven Bamboo Samurai Sword

$363.99

Two Honshu Boshin swords on a textured background

Diagram of Honshu Boshin Katana with specifications

Diagram of Honshu Boshin Bowie Knife with specifications

Close-up of a katana and sheath on a stone surface

Bowie knife on tactical gear with sheath

Honshu Boshin Warrior Collection Set

~~Price reduced from $239.99 to~~ NOW $215.98 You Save 10% -10%

Tomahawk Black Dragon three piece sword set shown with black, mother-of-pearl accented scabbard and on black wooden display.

The katana, wakizashi, and tanto are laid side-by-side, all with matching cord-wrapped hilt.

A detailed view of the mother-of-pearl dragon design on the side of the scabbard.

Black Dragon 3-Piece Sword Set

~~Price reduced from $138.99 to~~ NOW $68.98 You Save 50% -50%

Various views of the Musashi katana with black glossy scabbard, cast dragon tsuba, and ray skin handle.

The hardwood scabbard is shown with a glossy black finish between detailed shots of the katana pommel and blade point.

The white ray skin handle is wrapped in black cord and has a brass menuki.

Musashi Carbon Steel Clay Tempered Katana Sword

$178.99

It has proven itself time and again, and it holds its own against any of today’s most expensive katana, outperforming many

The 40” overall katana slides smoothly into a black lacquered, wooden scabbard with black cord-wrap accents

The hardwood handle is traditionally wrapped in cord-wrap over faux rayskin and the biohazard-style, cast tsuba is black

Shinwa Black Knight Katana

~~Price reduced from $254.99 to~~ NOW $176.98 You Save 31% -31%

Shinwa Imperial Dragon katana shown from various views, including detailed shot of metal tsuba, red scabbard, and black cord wrapped handle.

Hand-lacquered red scabbard features a mother-of-pearl dragon design on the side.

The handle is made from white genuine ray skin with black braided cord around it and brass menuki.

Detailed view of the mother-of-pearl dragon on the side of the red scabbard.

Close view of the brass menuki on the white ray skin handle with black braided cord.

Closeup of the metal tsuba with circular, floral type design.

Shinwa Imperial Dragon Handmade Katana

~~Price reduced from $517.99 to~~ NOW $327.98 You Save 37% -37%

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%

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

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

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.