The katana is a Japanese sword used by Samurai, an aristocratic warrior class in feudal Japan. It has a curved, single-edged blade that is slender and a square or circular guard. The handle is long and traditionally wrapped in rayskin and then a "braid" of silk or cotton. The blade is sheathed in a scabbard, which is traditionally made of lacquered wood. This weapon was used for slashing and stabbing motions in combat, not necessarily for blocking or clashing.

What should I look for when buying a katana?

The first thing that needs to be considered is whether the sword is for display or functional use. Are you looking for a sword to use or just as a decorative item to wear or display? Once you decide on the purpose, you can explore various designs and ornamentation to find one that fits your personality, style, and budget.

What is that wavy line running down my blade?

Also known as the hamon, it’s the visual divide between the harder and softer metal of the blade. A katana’s blade needs to have a harder edge for retention and a softer spine for flexibility. This is achieved by having the two parts of the blade cool at different speeds during the forging process.

How do I take care of my katana?

Having a regular cleaning routine is key to maintaining your katana. You can purchase a traditional sword cleaning kit that contains everything you need. There are three steps: removing oil, polishing the blade, and oiling the blade. Using a sheet of rice paper from the kit or a soft cotton cloth, remove any oil from the previous maintenance. Tap the powder ball lightly against the blade about every two inches along its length. Use a fresh piece of rice paper to rub the powder over the blade, polishing it until both sides are polished and the powder is removed. Apply a few drops of oil along the blade on each side and spread it evenly with a fresh piece of rice paper.

What’s the difference between a katana and a wakizashi?

Samurai warriors typically carried two swords as part of their dress. The katana was their primary weapon for battle, while the wakizashi was used for close-quarters combat. The wakizashi is built like the katana but is shorter in length, serving as a companion sword.

Wooden Handle Katana, Realistic Katana, Handmade & Full-Tang Katanas

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Shinwa Royal Warrior Katana/Samurai sword with black lacquered scabbard, black nylon cord wrapped handle and sharp Damascus steel blade.

Zoomed view of custom winged tsuba design along with black scabbard and detailing of the hardwood handle wrapped in nylon cord.

Shinwa katana handle shown wrapped with black nylon cord.

Detailed view showcasing the faux ray skin of the handle wrapped with braided cord and metal adornment.

Closeup view of the sharp hand forged Damascus steel blade.

The tsuba is shown with a black detailed winglike pattern.

Detailed view of the black braided cording wrapped around the solid black lacquer hardwood scabbard.

Brass collar shown surrounding the Shinwa blade with another look at the winged tsuba.

Shinwa Royal Warrior Handmade Samurai Sword

~~Price reduced from $156.99 to~~ NOW $135.98 You Save 13% -13%

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

Purple Samurai Warrior Sword shown with open side scabbard and purple cord wrapped handle on colorful background.

Zoomed view of the floral-like tsuba in front of a full view of the Samurai sword in the open side scabbard.

The scabbard has an opening on the side to showcase the Japanese inscription and the handle has plum colored cord wrap.

Samurai Open Scabbard Sword

~~Price reduced from $65.99 to~~ NOW $52.98 You Save 20% -20%

Musashi Bamboo Warrior Sword shown with bamboo design steel tsuba, black glossy scabbard and black cord wrapped handle.

The hardwood scabbard has a piano paint finish and black hanging cord, complimenting the black cord wrapped handle.

Musashi Bamboo Warrior Carbon Steel Katana Sword

$159.99

Musha Black Shirasaya has a glossy black hardwood handle with matching scabbard and a full-tang carbon steel blade.

The glossy black hardwood handle of the shirasaya matches perfectly with the glossy black hardwood scabbard.

Musha Black Shirasaya Bushido Sword

$70.99

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 black cord-wrap to match the handle

It has an antiqued brass, square tsuba with an intricately detailed Samurai and Chinese dragon design

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 Samurai and Chinese dragon design and a pommel to match

Sokojikara Mystic Battle Katana and Scabbard

~~Price reduced from $417.99 to~~ NOW $314.98 You Save 25% -25%

Shinwa Colossus Handmade Odachi / Giant Samurai Sword - Hand Forged Damascus Steel; Genuine Ray Skin; Dragon Tsuba - Functional, Full Tang, Battle Ready - 60”

Shinwa Handmade Monkey King Odachi

~~Price reduced from $337.99 to~~ NOW $277.98 You Save 18% -18%

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%

A three piece katana sword set displayed on wooden stand and shows a zoomed view of black dragon handguard with brass habaki

Shinwa 3 japanese swords encased in separate scabbards with handles wrapped in faux ray skin and black nylon cord

Shinwa black 3 piece japanese sword set displayed on a black lacquered wooden stand

Close view of faux rayskin handle wrapped with a black ito extracted from scabbard showing damascus steel and dragon tsuba

Zoomed view of faux rayskin handle wrapped with a black nylon cord extended from dragon handguard

Zoomed view of black nylon wrapped hilt and etched pommel with accents of gold

Close view of hand forged black damascus steel with a razor sharp blade and tip

Shinwa Black Knight 3-Piece Sword and Stand Set

~~Price reduced from $429.99 to~~ NOW $265.98 You Save 38% -38%

Honshu sword with a black tpr textured no slip grip handle

Black and Silver Katana Sword in Black Faux Leather Sheath

Black textured nonslip grip with a silver carbon steel pommel knob that features a lanyard hole

Sword in black braided sheath with an inch of carbon steel blade showing

A high carbon steel blade with a sharp edge

Japanese sword with high carbon steel blade extended from a carbon steel handguard engraved with Honshu

Honshu Sub-Hilt Wakizashi

$116.99 - $199.99

Musha Hand-forged Blue Damascus Samurai Sword

$160.99

The Musha Hand-Forged Cakraratna Katana has a 1045 high carbon steel blade

The katana can be stored in a black lacquered wooden scabbard

The black metal alloy tsuba is in the shape of a wheel

The Musha Hand-Forged Cakraratna Katana has a traditionally wrapped handle

The katana slides smoothly into its black, lacquered scabbard

The black cord-wrapped handle has a flat, metal alloy pommel

The katana's blade is 1045 high carbon steel

Musha Cakraratna Katana

$109.99

JAPANESE KATANA FAQS

What is a katana?
The katana is a Japanese sword used by Samurai, an aristocratic warrior class in feudal Japan. It has a curved, single-edged blade that is slender and a square or circular guard. The handle is long and traditionally wrapped in rayskin and then a "braid" of silk or cotton. The blade is sheathed in a scabbard, which is traditionally made of lacquered wood. This weapon was used for slashing and stabbing motions in combat, not necessarily for blocking or clashing.
What should I look for when buying a katana?
The first thing that needs to be considered is whether the sword is for display or functional use. Are you looking for a sword to use or just as a decorative item to wear or display? Once you decide on the purpose, you can explore various designs and ornamentation to find one that fits your personality, style, and budget.
What is that wavy line running down my blade?
Also known as the hamon, it’s the visual divide between the harder and softer metal of the blade. A katana’s blade needs to have a harder edge for retention and a softer spine for flexibility. This is achieved by having the two parts of the blade cool at different speeds during the forging process.
How do I take care of my katana?
Having a regular cleaning routine is key to maintaining your katana. You can purchase a traditional sword cleaning kit that contains everything you need. There are three steps: removing oil, polishing the blade, and oiling the blade. Using a sheet of rice paper from the kit or a soft cotton cloth, remove any oil from the previous maintenance. Tap the powder ball lightly against the blade about every two inches along its length. Use a fresh piece of rice paper to rub the powder over the blade, polishing it until both sides are polished and the powder is removed. Apply a few drops of oil along the blade on each side and spread it evenly with a fresh piece of rice paper.
What’s the difference between a katana and a wakizashi?
Samurai warriors typically carried two swords as part of their dress. The katana was their primary weapon for battle, while the wakizashi was used for close-quarters combat. The wakizashi is built like the katana but is shorter in length, serving as a companion sword.

Japanese Katanas

JAPANESE KATANA FAQS