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

Full image of the Shinwa Hand Forged Dragon's Embrace Katana with its included scabbard on a sword stand.

Full image of the Hand Forged Dragon's Embrace Katana and scabbard with part of the sword out of the scabbard.

Details and features of the Hand Forged Dragon's Embrace Katana.

Close up image of the Dragon's Embrace Katana's pommel and handle.

Close up image of the tsuba on the Katana.

Shinwa Hand Forged Dragon's Embrace Katana

$117.99

The master swordsmiths of Lonquan used centuries of tradition and experience to hand-forge the Shinwa Blood Moon Tachi

The 38” overall tachi fits securely into a maroon lacquered sheath with metal accents and an intricately wrapped sword hanger

It has a forged 28 1/2” 1045 high carbon steel blade, extending from a brass habaki and pewter-colored metal alloy tsuba

The sword has a faux rayskin and white cord-wrapped hardwood handle with a pewter-colored metal alloy pommel

Shinwa Blood Moon Tachi Sword

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

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~~ $157.99 Save 12%

Shinwa Imperial Dragon katana shown from various views, including detailed shot of metal tsuba, red scabbard, and black cord wrapped handle.

Hand-lacquered red scabbard features a mother-of-pearl dragon design on the side.

The handle is made from white genuine ray skin with black braided cord around it and brass menuki.

Detailed view of the mother-of-pearl dragon on the side of the red scabbard.

Close view of the brass menuki on the white ray skin handle with black braided cord.

Closeup of the metal tsuba with circular, floral type design.

Shinwa Imperial Dragon Handmade Katana

~~Price reduced from $517.99 to~~ $327.98 Save 37%

Musashi Bushin Sword - Hand-Forged, Water-Tempered 1095 Carbon Steel Blade, Genuine Rayskin Wrapped Handle - Length 41 1/2"

Musashi Bushin Sword

$363.99

Shikoto Kogane Dynasty Tachi sword shown with brass accents and brass colored cord wrapping handle and black scabbard.

Detailed view of both the Damascus steel blade of the sword and the brass guard and pommel of the handle.

Shikoto Black Kogane Dynasty Forged Tachi Sword Damascus

Shikoto Black Kogane Dynasty Forged Tachi Damascus Sword

~~Price reduced from $324.99 to~~ $238.98 Save 26%

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

49% OFF

Sokojikara uses the age-old process of clay tempering, to forge swords that have the perfect balance of strength and flexibility

The 40” overall katana slides smoothly into a black, lacquered scabbard, accented with red slashes and black cord-wrap

It has an antiqued brass, round tsuba with an intricately detailed demon monk and centipede design

Sokojikara Demon Monk Katana and Scabbard

~~Price reduced from $409.99 to~~ $209.97 Save 49%

Kojiro Splintered Sky Katana

$194.99

Different views of the Shinwa Regal Makaku Sword Set

Shinwa Regal Makaku Sword Set

~~Price reduced from $393.97 to~~ $354.57 Save 10%

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

An incredible sword that has been meticulously-hand forged using ancient, time-honored tempering techniques

The 41 3/4” overall katana slides into its black, lacquered wooden scabbard, which has black cord-wrap accents

The wooden handle is wrapped in genuine rayskin and black cord and the tsuba is in the Miyamoto Musashi design

The 28 3/4”, hand-forged 1045 carbon steel blade is razor-sharp, and it extends from a brass habaki

Shinwa Miyamoto Katana

~~Price reduced from $196.99 to~~ $104.98 Save 47%

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.