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.

Odachi Sword, Japanese Sword, Katana Damascus Blade & Sets

156 Results

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

$221.98 ~~Price reduced from $302.99 to~~

Shinwa ScarletFang Shirasaya Sword has a red lacquered hardwood handle, shown atop ornate display box.

The shirasaya sword and scabbard seamlessly fit together with both vibrant red lacquered handle and scabbard.

A brass habaki can be found just beneath the red hardwood handle of the shirasaya.

Detailed look at the silky smooth appearance of the red lacquered hardwood handle.

Shinwa Jade Defender Katana

$69.99

Shinwa Warrior Katana shown with black scabbard, ornate tsuba, and bright pink cord wrapped handle.

Three different views of the cast tsuba and pommel with dragon and scenery artwork.

The black scabbard is wrapped with a bright pink hanging cord that matches the pink cord of the handle.

Shinwa Pink Warrior Katana Sword

$119.99 ~~Price reduced from $194.99 to~~

Shinwa Imperial Dragon katana shown from various views, including detailed shot of metal tsuba, red scabbard, and black cord wrapped handle.

Hand-lacquered red scabbard features a mother-of-pearl dragon design on the side.

The handle is made from white genuine ray skin with black braided cord around it and brass menuki.

Detailed view of the mother-of-pearl dragon on the side of the red scabbard.

Close view of the brass menuki on the white ray skin handle with black braided cord.

Closeup of the metal tsuba with circular, floral type design.

Shinwa Imperial Dragon Handmade Katana

$189.98 ~~Price reduced from $325.99 to~~

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

$366.99

The Musha Hand-Forged Twin Musashi Katana is 38 3/4” overall

The sword comes with a black wooden scabbard

The Musha Hand-Forged Twin Musashi Katana has a traditional double-ring tsuba

The hardwood handle is wrapped in black, cotton cord with rayskin

The sword's blade is sharp, 1045 carbon steel

The traditionally wrapped handle has a metal-alloy pommel

The Musha Hand-Forged Twin Musashi Katana fits like a glove in its scabbard

Musashi Twin Katana

$109.99

Shinwa Noble Midnight Samurai Sword

$115.98 ~~Price reduced from $166.99 to~~

The Kojiro Night Watch Three-Piece Sword Set gives you the full daisho of a Samurai warrior, which is a katana, wakizashi and tanto

Each sword has a black painted, wooden scabbard with a black cord and leather sword hanger and a wooden display stand is included

The handles are traditionally wrapped in faux ray skin and black cord and the blades are razor-sharp carbon steel

Kojiro Night Watch Three-Piece Sword Set And Display Stand

$52.98 ~~Price reduced from $99.99 to~~

Musashi Bushin Sword

$272.99

Sokojikara Dragon Wood Hand-Forged Katana - T10 High Carbon Steel Clay Tempered Blade, Genuine Ray Skin, Brass Tsuba And Pommel - Length 40 1/2”

Sokojikara Dragon Wood Hand-Forged Katana

$266.98 ~~Price reduced from $318.99 to~~

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

$119.98 ~~Price reduced from $172.99 to~~

Mystery Katana Four-Pack - Brand-New Functional Katanas, Variety

$199.99

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.

Japanese Swords

JAPANESE SWORD FAQS