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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A silky and graceful display sword and scabbard that just begs to be added to and displayed in your collection

The 39” overall sword slides into a glossy black wooden scabbard with a shiny gold accent featuring a faux red jewel

Both the pommel and mouth of the scabbard are crafted of metal alloy with a genuine gold look to complement the circular tsuba

Black Lotus Katana

~~Price reduced from $63.99 to~~ NOW $50.97 You Save 20% -20%

White Lotus High Carbon Steel Katana

$63.99

Shinwa Black Knight Katana on bamboo mat, showcasing black Damascus steel blade and ornate dragon tsuba.

Black katana inside black scabbard with black hanging cord and faux ray skin handle.

Katana tsuka wrapped in black cord over faux ray skin.

Zoomed view of the brass dragon menuki under the black cord wrapping of the faux ray handle.

Black and gold notch on black lacquered scabbard with black hanging cord wrapped around it.

Close view of the black cord wrapped handle with line detailing on pommel.

Detailing of the stark contract between the orangish brown lines and curves on the black Damascus steel blade.

Tsuba with black dragon aside full view of the katana with black Damascus blade and black lacquered scabbard with view of detailing on pommel.

Shinwa Black Knight Katana

~~Price reduced from $141.99 to~~ NOW $117.98 You Save 17% -17%

Japanese Odachi Samurai sword shown with detailed guard, beside wooden scabbard and with Japanese detailing on pommel.

Odachi-style sword inside black wooden scabbard with black cord wrapped around the upper section.

Zoomed view of the wrapped handle with gold colored design on pommel.

Closeup view of the ornate guard that features a dragon design just above the blade collar.

The pommel is detailed with a gold color design just above the black cord wrapped handle.

An ornate gold color design can be seen peeking out from the black cord wrapping the handle of the Samurai sword.

The 65 1/2” sword is held up by a man, showcases its height.

Odachi Japanese Samurai Long Sword

$179.99

Shinwa Regal Wakizashi shown with black scabbard, brown cord wrapped handle, and intricate cast tsuba.

The black hand-lacquered hardwood scabbard as a glossy sheen, offset with tan cord.

Zoomed view of the monkey design on the cast tsuba.

The black scabbard has a tan hanging cord.

The black genuine ray skin handle is wrapped in tan braided cord.

A dragon menuki peaks out from behind the tan cord wrapped handle.

Closeup view of the monkey design of the tsuba.

Shinwa Regal Makaku Wakizashi

$168.99

Various views of the Musashi katana with black glossy scabbard, cast dragon tsuba, and ray skin handle.

The hardwood scabbard is shown with a glossy black finish between detailed shots of the katana pommel and blade point.

The white ray skin handle is wrapped in black cord and has a brass menuki.

Musashi Carbon Steel Clay Tempered Katana Sword

$178.99

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~~ NOW $246.98 You Save 40% -40%

Shinwa Colossus odachi laid next to lacquered black scabbard with detailed views of the dragon tsuba and ornate pommel.

The black lacquered wooden scabbard had a black hanging cord that matches the black cord of the handle.

The handle is made of genuine ray skin with braided black cord and brass menuki.

Zoomed shot of the brass menuki beneath the braided black cord wrapping the handle.

Detailed shot of the antique finished habaki with ornate bird.

The black cord of the handle wraps through the antique finished pommel.

The dragon tsuba sits just above “Shinwa” on the black Damascus blade.

Shinwa Colossus Yoru Handmade Odachi

~~Price reduced from $359.99 to~~ NOW $282.98 You Save 21% -21%

Shinwa katana shown with zoomed view of tsuba, Damascus steel blade, and black lacquered katana on black wood display.

The black hardwood scabbard has teal hanging cord that matches the cord wrapped around the katana handle.

A detailed view of the Damascus steel blade and ornate cast metal tsuba.

The scabbard has a teal braided nylon hanging cord.

Zoomed view of the cast metal tsuba and teal cord wrapping the handle.

The teal braided cord of the handle wraps through the ornate pommel featuring a bearded man.

Detailed cast metal tsuba shown with themed artwork.

The 39” katana has a Damascus steel blade and teal cord wrapped handle with cast metal details.

Shinwa Teal Damascus Katana

~~Price reduced from $264.99 to~~ NOW $179.98 You Save 32% -32%

Honshu Boshin Double Edge Sword With Scabbard - 30 1/2” blade, TPR Textured Handle, Stainless Guard And Pommel - Length 40 13/16”

Honshu Boshin Double Edge Sword With Scabbard - 1060 Carbon Steel Blade, TPR Textured Handle, Stainless Guard And Pommel - Length 40 13/16”

Honshu Boshin Double Edge Sword

$166.99 - $259.99

The Sokojikara Hammered-Work Katana in different positions

Sokojikara Hammered-Work Katana and Scabbard

~~Price reduced from $443.99 to~~ NOW $324.98 You Save 27% -27%

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

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