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

151 Results

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~~ $45.98 Save 13%

Musha Black Shirasaya has a glossy black hardwood handle with matching scabbard and a full-tang carbon steel blade.

The glossy black hardwood handle of the shirasaya matches perfectly with the glossy black hardwood scabbard.

Musha Black Shirasaya Bushido Sword

$70.99

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 Dragon Wood Hand-Forged Katana - T10 High Carbon Steel Clay Tempered Blade, Genuine Ray Skin, Brass Tsuba And Pommel - Length 40 1/2”

Sokojikara Dragon Wood Hand-Forged Katana

$368.99

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

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 Clay Tempered Carbon Steel

$377.99

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

Tomahawk Black Emperor katana shown with black lacquered scabbard, ray skin handle with black cord wrap, and black tsuba.

Zoomed view of the black-coated tsuba and black imitation ray skin handle wrapped with black nylon cord.

The black scabbard for the katana has a black hanging cord, matching the black nylon cord wrapping the handle.

Emperor Katana Sword With Scabbard

$57.99

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~~ $68.98 Save 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~~ $93.98 Save 69%

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

Musashi Natural Wood Shirasaya

$39.99

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~~ $312.98 Save 43%

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.