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

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The Kojiro Night Watch Three-Piece Sword Set gives you the full daisho of a Samurai warrior, which is a katana, wakizashi and tanto

Each sword has a black painted, wooden scabbard with a black cord and leather sword hanger and a wooden display stand is included

The handles are traditionally wrapped in faux ray skin and black cord and the blades are razor-sharp carbon steel

Kojiro Night Watch Three-Piece Sword Set And Display Stand

~~Price reduced from $141.99 to~~ NOW $73.98 You Save 48% -48%

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%

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% -39%

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% -47%

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%

Highlander Dragon Katana

$79.99

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%

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%

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%

Musashi Clay Tempered Katana shown next to black scabbard with detailed views of the antique finished tsuba and ray skin handle.

The black scabbard has a black hanging cord and both the pommel and tsuba has an antique finish.

Zoomed view of the hanging cord on the scabbard and brass colored habaki of the katana.

Musashi Clay Tempered Katana Sword

~~Price reduced from $178.99 to~~ NOW $157.99 You Save 12% -12%

Shinwa Golden Knight Katana Sword with Wooden Scabbard - 1045 High Carbon Steel - Genuine Ray Skin

Shinwa Golden Knight Katana Sword

~~Price reduced from $209.99 to~~ NOW $174.98 You Save 17% -17%

Different views of the Shikoto Longquan Master Double-Edged Sword

Shikoto Master Double-Edged Sword and Scabbard

~~Price reduced from $299.99 to~~ NOW $262.98 You Save 12% -12%

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.