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

Zoomed view of Shinwa makaku katana with handle wrapped in tan sageo and Damascus steel blade.

The black hardwood scabbard has a tan cord that matches the tan wrapping of the katana handle.

Different views of the katana including a detailed view of the cast monkey tsuba, black hardwood scabbard, and tan cord wrapped handle.

Closeup of cast tsuba with monkey detail.

Detailed view of the tan hanging cord wrapped around the black scabbard.

Zoomed view of the Damascus steel blade, showing the intricate patterning.

The tan cord of the handle wraps through the pommel of the katana.

Zoomed view of the tan cord wrapping the genuine ray skin handle with menuki.

Shinwa Makaku Katana

$198.99

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%

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%

Sword you’re looking for whether you’re an avid collector or a first-time owner, giving you quality and value far beyond the price

The hardwood handle is wrapped in faux rayskin and black cord and has an intricately detailed metal alloy tsuba

The full-tang, razor-sharp, sword has a 28”, 1045 carbon steel blade, which extends from a polished brass habaki

The 41” katana slides into a black lacquered wooden scabbard, accented with a hand-painted dragon and black cord-wrap

Kojiro Golden Dragon Katana

$105.99

Painstakingly handcrafted sword, using only the finest materials for spectacular visual allure and tremendous potency

The 40” overall katana slides smoothly into a black, lacquered scabbard, accented with teal cord-wrap to match the handle

It has an antiqued brass, pommel with an intricately detailed standing crane and river design

The hardwood handle is wrapped in genuine gold-colored rayskin and teal cord and there’s an engraved brass habaki

The sword has a hand-forged, 29” clay-tempered 1095 carbon steel blade that’s razor-sharp and perfectly balanced

It has an antiqued brass, square tsuba with an intricately detailed standing crane and river design

Sokojikara Standing Crane Katana and Scabbard

$417.99

Kojiro Amberwood Chokuto Shirasaya

$104.99

Sokojikara Pearl Zen Katana shown with bright red cord wrapping on the handle and scabbard and cast tsuba.

The side of the black glossy scabbard has a mother of pearl dragon design inlay, just beneath the bright red hanging cord.

The brass tsuba has a dragon design just beneath the bright red cord wrap of the handle.

A brass menuki is featured on the black ray skin handle with red cord wrap.

The brass tsuba has a swirling dragon design.

A bright red hanging cord is tied around the glossy black scabbard.

Sokojikara Pearl Zen Handmade Katana / Samurai Sword - Hand Forged, Clay Tempered 1045 Carbon Steel - Mother of Pearl Dragon Inlay - Ray Skin; Brass Tsuba - Functional, Full Tang, Battle Ready

~~Price reduced from $419.99 to~~ NOW $248.98 You Save 41% -41%

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~~ NOW $68.98 You Save 33% -33%

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~~ NOW $238.98 You Save 26% -26%

Musashi katana shown beside red glossy scabbard with detailed shots of the cord wrapped handle and antique-finished tsuba.

The red hand-painted scabbard shown with katana inside between zoomed shots of the pommel and blade point.

Just beneath the antique finished tsuba is a brass habaki.

Musashi Clay Tempered 1060 Carbon Steel Katana Sword

$162.99

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.