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

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%

The Shinwa Samurai Tachi Sword in and out of its scabbard

A view of the handle, blade and scabbard

Shinwa Tachi 1045 Carbon Sword

~~Price reduced from $159.99 to~~ NOW $139.98 You Save 13%

The Sokojikara Water Buffalo God Katana was hand-forged and clay-tempered to give it both strength and flexibility

The 40” overall katana slides smoothly into a matte black scabbard, accented with brown cord-wrap to match the handle

It has an antiqued brass, round tsuba with an intricately detailed water buffalo god design

Sokojikara Water Buffalo God Katana and Scabbard

~~Price reduced from $409.99 to~~ NOW $251.98 You Save 39%

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%

Shinwa Purple Majesty Samurai Sword

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

Honshu tactical katana has a carbon steel blade, black handle with brass accents, and cord wrapped black sheath.

“Honshu” is printed on the blade beneath the brass tsuba.

The black scabbard is wrapped in paracord, matching the lanyard of the katana’s hilt.

Honshu Full Tang Tactical Katana

$269.99

Literally a handcrafted masterpiece from blade to scabbard, it has been forged and painted by master smiths and artists

Included is a complete maintenance and cleaning kit, neatly contained in a wooden box

The 40” overall katana slides smoothly into its black wooden scabbard, which has a colorful hand-painted water dragon

The water dragon-themed, brass tsuba is also complemented by an intricate, dragon-themed brass handle collar

The hardwood handle is wrapped in genuine rayskin and brown cord, featuring brass dragon menuki and a brass twin dragon pommel

The katana has a full-tang, hand-forged, 29” 1060 carbon steel blade, which extends from a polished brass habaki

Sokojikara Shuilong Katana and Scabbard

$588.99

Different views of the Shinwa White Emperor Samurai Short Sword

The handle and the blade shown with the display stand

Shinwa Samurai Short Sword

~~Price reduced from $283.99 to~~ NOW $149.98 You Save 47%

K Exclusive Biohazard Katana shown from various views, with bio hazard symbol guard and black scabbard.

The neon green imitation ray skin of the katana handle is wrapped in black cord and has a black chain on the end.

The 38” katana has a black scabbard and black cord wrapped handle with neon green imitation ray skin underneath.

Bio Hazard Katana Saber

$45.99

Full image of the Honshu Leather Frog by itself and clipped on a backpack with a Honshu sword.

Angled image of the Honshu Leather Frog attached to a Honshu sword.

Honshu Leather Frog

$19.99

40" Musashi Natural Wood Shirasaya Japanese Samurai Katana Sword Ninja Bushido

Musashi Natural Wood Shirasaya

$39.99

Shinwa Golden Knight Odachi

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

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.