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

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

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%

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

Ghost Katana Carbon Steel Sword Set & Display Stand

$96.99

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%

20% OFF

Red Dragon Imperial Samurai Sword Set with three swords all have red coordinating scabbards and fit on a wooden display.

Each samurai sword has its own red wooden scabbard with dragon design down the side and red hanging cord.

Detailed view of the cast tsuba with dragon design just beneath the red cord wrapped handle.

Red Dragon Samurai Sword Set with Stand

~~Price reduced from $85.99 to~~ NOW $68.97 You Save 20% -20%

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

Musashi Natural Wood Shirasaya

$39.99

Shinwa Regal Wakizashi shown with black scabbard, brown cord wrapped handle, and intricate cast tsuba.

The black hand-lacquered hardwood scabbard as a glossy sheen, offset with tan cord.

Zoomed view of the monkey design on the cast tsuba.

The black scabbard has a tan hanging cord.

The black genuine ray skin handle is wrapped in tan braided cord.

A dragon menuki peaks out from behind the tan cord wrapped handle.

Closeup view of the monkey design of the tsuba.

Shinwa Regal Makaku Wakizashi

$168.99

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~~ NOW $312.98 You Save 43% -43%

Sokojikara Falcon Katana shown with ornate tsuba, white scabbard, white cotton wrapped handle, and cleaning kit.

The white glossy scabbard is shown between the carbon steel blade point and ray skin handle with menuki.

The ray skin handle is wrapped in white cotton with a menuki and circular tsuba with wave and bird designs.

Sokojikara Falcon Katana Clay Tempered Folded Carbon Steel

~~Price reduced from $394.99 to~~ NOW $335.98 You Save 15% -15%

The wooden sheaths of the katana, wakizashi, and tanto have ornate designs and cord wrappings, matching the swords’ hilts

The detailing of the sheath is shown next to an ornate knife and letter opener with gold and blue accenting with another view of the dragon tsuba.

3 Pc. Red Oda Nabunga Samurai Ninja Sword Set

~~Price reduced from $186.99 to~~ NOW $108.98 You Save 42% -42%

Royal Blue Dragon Imperial Samurai Sword is a three piece set, shown on black display, with blue scabbard and handle.

Each of the three samurai swords has a blue coordinating wooden scabbard with dragon design on the side.

The cast tsuba of each of the three samurai swords features a dragon design beneath the blue cord wrapped handle.

Royal Blue Dragon Samurai Sword Set with Stand

$85.99

Sokojikara Shadow Grove Katana shown with detailed views of the floral tsuba and bamboo accents on pommel and scabbard.

The glossy black scabbard has a bright green bamboo design on the side with brown hanging cord.

Detailed view of the white genuine ray skin handle wrapped in brown cord with menuki.

The scabbard has a braided brown hanging cord wrapped around it.

Cast tsuba shown with brass-like coloring and floral design just above the brass habaki.

The pommel has a bamboo leaf design just above the brown cord wrapped handle.

Zoomed view of the cast tsuba with floral and bamboo pattern.

The handle has bamboo detailing just beneath the brown cord wrapping, above the tsuba.

Sokojikara Shadow Grove Katana

$647.99

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.