Common Terms

Amakuni Yasutsuna: Legendary swordsmith engaged in 700 A.D. by the Japanese Emperor to create weapons for his warriors.

Bokken/Shinai: Wooden practice blades.  Bokken are made from wood and Shinai from bamboo.  Shinai are typically used in Kendo.

Daisho: Name given to pairing of Katana and Wakizashi, an abbreviation of “Daito” and “Shoto.”

Gendaito: Name given to the Japanese sabre between 1876 and 1945 (aprx).  Translated literally it means, “modern sabre.”

Gunto: Name give to the Japanese sabre manufactured during wars of the 20th Century.  Translated literally it means, “war sabre.”

Hada: Grain of the Japanese sword blade.

Horimono: Engraving on the Japanese sword blade.

Iaido(iai-jutsu): The art of drawing the Katana.

Katana: (ka-ta-na): Japanese sabre or longsword, the symbol of the Samurai (or Bushi).  Also know as the Daito, which translated literally means, “long sabre.”  Technically, a sword can only be classified as a katana if it is worn blade-up through a belt-sah.

Kissaki: Point of the Japanese sword blade. 

Koto: Name given to the Japanese sabre before 1600.  Translated literally it means, “ancient sabre.” 

Masamune: Famous blacksmith/forger of Japanese sabres who lived at the beginning of the 14th century.  A master craftsman and honest laborer, his blades supposedly brought serenity to their owners.

Mei: Signature point on the Japanese sword blade. 

Mue-Machi: Back Notch of the Japanese sword blade. 

Mune: Back of the Japanese sword blade. 

Muramasa: Student of Masamune whose perfect forging technique was supposedly affected by his evil aura.  His blades were said to wreak great destruction and harm when wielded by their owners.

Nagasa: The length of the sword blade, measure from the tip of the kissaki in a straight line to the mune-machi.

Odachi/Nodachi: Blades longer than 78 cm or three shaku typically worn across the black. 

Ronin: Translated literally means, “Man of the Wave” and indicates a Samurai who is without a master.

Samurai: Translated literally means, “the one who serves.”  This indicates the Samurai�s allegiance to a vassal, shogun, or other employer.

Saya: Scabbard for the Katana.

Shaku: Standard unit for measuring Japanese swords.  Sword length is what differentiates classification of sword.  One shaku is equal to 12 inches (30 cm). 

Shinken: Name given to contemporary Japanese sabers.  Translated literally it means, “New sword.”  Shinsakuto (“newly manufactured sabre) may also be used for this term.

Shinshinto: Name given to the Japanese sabre between 1780 and 1876 (aprx).  Translated literally it means, “new new sabre.”

Shinto: Name given to the Japanese sabre between 1600 and 1780 (aprx).  Translated literally it means, “new sabre.”  Does not relate to the Shinto religion.

Tachi: A long sabre traditionally used when riding a horse or wearing armor.  It is typically longer in length and more curved than the Katana and worn suspended from the belt. 

Tsuba: Handguard piece for the Katana. 

Uchigatana: Translated literally means, “gripping sabre.” Traditionally carried at the belt with the cutting edge facing upwards, therefore making it easier to draw from the sheath. 

Wakizashi: Short sword, traditionally paired with the Katana.  Also known as the Shoto, which translated literally means, “short sabre.”