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

140 Results

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

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TOP PICK

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

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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

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

This Navy Officer Sword makes a distinguished presentation award for distinguished service or an excellent display piece for an office

The 39 3/10” overall sword slides smoothly into a black wooden scabbard with polished brass accents

It has a clay-tempered 27 9/10”, razor-sharp T10 steel blade, which extends from a decorative, polished brass habaki and tsuba

Japanese Type 98 Gunto Officer's Katana Sword 39"

$371.99

White Lotus High Carbon Steel Katana

$63.99

Kojiro Splintered Sky Katana

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Highlander Dragon Katana

$79.99

It has proven itself time and again, and it holds its own against any of today’s most expensive katana, outperforming many

The 40” overall katana slides smoothly into a black lacquered, wooden scabbard with black cord-wrap accents

The hardwood handle is traditionally wrapped in cord-wrap over faux rayskin and the biohazard-style, cast tsuba is black

Shinwa Black Knight Katana

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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

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Shinwa SilkSting shirasaya sword shown with unique black Damascus steel blade and black scabbard.

The sword fits seamlessly into the scabbard, with black handle that matches the scabbard exterior.

“Shinwa” is engraved onto the black Damascus steel of the blade.

The black Damascus blade slides seamlessly into the black scabbard.

The hardwood handle has a black hand-lacquered finish.

Shinwa Handmade Shirasaya Sword

$154.98 - $157.98

Shinwa Blue Knight katana shown from various views, with detailed look at ornate guard, detailed pommel and black lacquered scabbard.

Black lacquered scabbard shown with blue hanging cord that matches the blue cord wrapping the handle adjacent to close up of blade point.

The handle is faux ray skin with blue cord wrapping and traditional menuki and mekugi.

A blue hanging cord is wrapped around the black scabbard.

The pommel, just above the blue cord wrapped handle, is ornate intricate line designs.

“Shinwa” is on the blade, beneath the dark blade collar.

Shinwa Blue Knight Handmade Samurai Sword

~~Price reduced from $275.99 to~~ NOW $167.98 You Save 39% -39%

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