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

Different views of the Sokojikara Blü-Fyre Katana

Sokojikara Blü-Fyre Katana and Scabbard

$169.99

Shinwa Golden Knight Odachi

~~Price reduced from $327.99 to~~ NOW $282.98 You Save 14% -14%

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

Ghost Katana Carbon Steel Sword Set & Display Stand

$96.99

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 Bambusa Katana shown from various views, with detailed look at the pommel with lattice design and wood scabbard.

The natural wooden scabbard has a brown hanging cord, matching the brown cord wrapping the handle.

The white ray skin handle is wrapped in brown cord with brass menuki.

The brown cord wrapping of the handle is pulled through the pommel.

Detailed view of the brass menuki peaking out from the brown cord wrapping of the handle.

Sokojikara Bambusa Handmade Katana

~~Price reduced from $546.99 to~~ NOW $317.98 You Save 42% -42%

Shinwa Shirasaya shown with sword laid next to the black lacquered scabbard and with detailed view of the blade.

The black lacquered hardwood handle seamlessly fits with the coordinating scabbard.

Zoomed view of the glossy black hardwood handle, brass habaki, and hand-forged carbon steel tempered blade.

Shinwa Sleek Black Shirasaya Sword

~~Price reduced from $102.99 to~~ NOW $68.98 You Save 33% -33%

Shinwa Unbroken Night katana shown with black lacquered scabbard and detailed view of the cast tsuba.

The black lacquered scabbard is shown with black nylon hanging cord and zoomed view of the point of the Damascus steel blade.

Detailed view of the cast tsuba with ornate swirl design.

The black faux ray skin handle is wrapped in black cord.

Zoomed view of the brass dragon menuki under the black cord wrapping of the handle.

The black hanging cord of the scabbard matches the black cord of the katana’s handle.

The black faux ray skin handle is wrapped in a black nylon cord with brass menuki peaking out.

Shinwa Unbroken Night Handmade Samurai Sword

~~Price reduced from $298.99 to~~ NOW $93.98 You Save 69% -69%

Shinwa Blue Knight katana shown from various views, with detailed look at ornate guard, detailed pommel and black lacquered scabbard.

Black lacquered scabbard shown with blue hanging cord that matches the blue cord wrapping the handle adjacent to close up of blade point.

The handle is faux ray skin with blue cord wrapping and traditional menuki and mekugi.

A blue hanging cord is wrapped around the black scabbard.

The pommel, just above the blue cord wrapped handle, is ornate intricate line designs.

“Shinwa” is on the blade, beneath the dark blade collar.

Shinwa Blue Knight Handmade Samurai Sword

~~Price reduced from $275.99 to~~ NOW $167.98 You Save 39% -39%

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%

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

Shinwa Warrior Katana shown with black scabbard, ornate tsuba, and bright pink cord wrapped handle.

Three different views of the cast tsuba and pommel with dragon and scenery artwork.

The black scabbard is wrapped with a bright pink hanging cord that matches the pink cord of the handle.

Shinwa Pink Warrior Katana Sword

~~Price reduced from $236.99 to~~ NOW $169.98 You Save 28% -28%

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%

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.