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

The mark of a Samurai was the set of weapons which he carried and went into war with - katana, wakizashi and tanto

The decorative, antique white lacquered wooden scabbards feature one-of-a-kind artwork portraying a Chinese dragon

Each sword has a black 1045 carbon steel blade with display edges and a faux ray skin and black cord-wrapped handle

Each sword has a metal alloy tsuba with a dragon design

Kojiro Black Dragon Sword Set

~~Price reduced from $96.99 to~~ $68.98 Save 29%

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~~ $73.98 Save 48%

Musha Raging Waters Katana shown in various views, including wave detailing on the tsuba and scabbard.

The black scabbard and pommel have wave-like symbols on them.

Detailed shot of the brass-colored habaki and 1045 carbon steel blade.

Musha Raging Waters Full Tang Battle Ready Katana

$86.99

The Kojiro Daisho Sword Set is an eye-catching triple sword collection just begging to be displayed in your home or office

The red wooden scabbards have gold-painted artwork, and each has a white cord and faux leather sword hanger

The set also comes with a high-quality, black wooden display stand

The decorative tsubas, pommels and the habakis are all gold-colored metal alloy, along with the accents on the scabbards

Each sword in the set has a razor-sharp, carbon steel blade and a faux rayskin and cord-wrapped wooden handle

Kojiro Imperial Red Daisho Sword Set

~~Price reduced from $133.99 to~~ $90.98 Save 32%

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~~ $169.98 Save 28%

Shinwa’s Midnight Bamboo Katana is a masterpiece of design, meticulously hand-forged using ancient, time-honored techniques

The 41 1/2” overall katana slides smoothly into a black lacquered scabbard, which has decorative, black cord-wrap

The high-quality katana has a 27 3/8”, keenly sharp Damascus steel blade, which extends from a brass habaki

It has an expertly cord-wrapped hardwood handle and an intricately crafted bamboo-themed, cast metal alloy tsuba

Shinwa Midnight Bamboo Katana And Scabbard

$200.99

The Shinwa White Genesis Tachi has its roots firmly in Japanese history, predating the legenday katana by centuries

The scabbard also features a genuine leather and black cord cavalry hanger making it easy to carry the sword at your side

The handle is wrapped in gold-threaded cloth and white cord and has a cast metal pommel with a Samurai theme

It has a hand-forged, 27 3/4” Damascus steel blade, which extends from a brass habaki and a cast metal tsuba in a classic crane design

Shinwa White Genesis Tachi

$199.99

Musha Samurai sword shown with burgundy scabbard, brass habaki, cast guard, and 1045 carbon steel blade.

Musha Hand Forged Samurai Sword with Burgundy Scabbard

$86.99

Musashi katana shown with metal tsuba, black scabbard, and ray skin handle wrapped in black cord.

The black hardwood scabbard has an high quality piano paint finish and the 1060 carbon steel blade point is razor sharp.

The glossy black scabbard has a black hanging cord just beneath the metal tsuba.

Musashi Carbon Steel Katana

$163.99

Sokojikara Dynasty Handmade Katana / Samurai Sword - T10 High Carbon Steel, Hand Forged, Clay Tempered - Genuine Ray Skin; Bronze Tsuba - Functional, Full Tang, Battle Ready

Sokojikara T10 Steel Handmade Katana

~~Price reduced from $532.99 to~~ $264.98 Save 50%

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 Scarlet Komodo Handmade Tanto / Samurai Short Sword - Hand Forged 1045 Carbon Steel - Mother of Pearl Dragon Inlay; Red Hand Lacquered Hardwood; Shirasaya Mounting - Ninja Stealth - Full Tang

Shinwa Scarlet Komodo Handmade Tanto

~~Price reduced from $247.99 to~~ $177.98 Save 28%

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.