Glossary

Samurai sword glossary

Table of contents

Here you will find some terms related to samurai swords. If you think that we should include a particular term in the collection, you are welcome to write to us and we will add it.

So that the list does not become infinitely long, we have deliberately omitted certain areas, such as the naming of many Boshi- or Hamoncharacteristics. These topics are covered in the respective samurai sword wiki topics on our site. Mentioning them here would go beyond the scope of this page.

A brief explanation of the terms:
- Der/Die/Das: Since there are no articles in the Japanese language, we use the article that matches the respective term in German usage. E.g.: the saya
- Stress: The correct stress of words plays an important role in Japanese. Macron and circumflex are used to mark pronunciation. To simplify input, we do not use any of these markings in the glossary. Our glossary is intended to explain terms and not necessarily to teach the correct Japanese pronunciation.
- Singular and plural: In the Japanese language, terms in the singular correspond to terms in the plural, which is why we always use the singular form for all Japanese terms, e.g. one katana in the singular and two katana in the plural: One katana in the singular and also two katana as a plural word.

 

Aikuchi
 Mounting style without stitch plate
Aizame
 Blue handle inlay
Ana
 Translation = hole, e.g. the hole for Mekugi = Mekugi Ana
Ato Mei
 Subsequent signature
Banzashi
 A type of mounting for swords carried by the samurai of the Edo fortress.
Bo Hi
 Continuous fuller from the blade tang to the ridge at the blade tip
Boshi
 Hardening line at the blade tip
Buke-Zukuri
 Sword mount from the new era, in which the sword is worn on the belt with the edge pointing upwards.
Choji
 Clove blossom used for the production of oil for sword care. However, the term is also often used when a mould has a corresponding appearance, e.g. choji hamon
Chokuto
 Sword with straight blade
Chu Kissaki
 "Medium-long" sword point. Corresponds to the designation Chu Gissaki.
Daisho
 The two swords that a samurai classically carried, consisting of a long sword (katana) and a short sword (wakizashi)
Daito
 The longer sword of the Daisho
Fuchi
 Grip clamp between sword grip and blade
Fuchi Kashira
 Set of handle clamp (Fuchi) and fitting at the end of the handle (Kashira)
Fukura
 Bending of the cutting edge at the tip of the blade
Fukura Kaku
 Round cutting edge at the tip of the sword
Fukura Kareru
 Straight cutting edge at the tip of the blade
Fukure
 Blister in the steel of a finished sword (defect)
Fukurin
 Folded edge of a stitch blade
Fukuro
 Silk sword pouch
Futasuji Hi
 Two narrow fullers in the blade that run parallel to each other
Gaiso
 Other term for more commonly used name Koshirae, the mounting of the sword
Gaku Mei
 Signature that was removed and replaced during blade shortening
Gendaito
 "Modern" sword that was manufactured after 1876
Gi Mei
 Forged signature. Corresponds to the term Nise Mei.
Gin
 Japanese word for "silver"
Gin Gise
 Lined or underlaid with silver
Gin Mei
 Signature inlaid with silver
Gitae
 Method of forging different types of steel together. Corresponds to the term kitae.
Gomabashi
 Two parallel grooves in the blade
Gunto
 Designation for the swords of the Japanese military after 1935
Gyo No Mune
 Blade back in the shape of an inverted V. Corresponds to the designation Iori
Ha
 Cutting edge of the sword blade. Corresponds to the designation Hasaki.
Habaki
 Blade ferrule between the blade and the blade
Hada
 Surface structure of a sword blade
Hada Aoshi
 "Blue" surface on a blade
Hada Shiroshi
 "White" surface on a blade
Hagire
 Cracks in the blade (defect)
Hajimi
 Unclean areas of the hamon due to poor heat treatment during the forging process or excessive polishing (defect)
Hamon
 The hardening line on the blade, which is also considered the blacksmith's signature
Hamidashi
 Name for a very small blade and knives that have such a blade
Ha Watari
 Blade length. Measured from the transition of the sword tang to the blade to the transition of the blade to the tip of the sword. Corresponds to the designation Nagasa
Heito
 Pommel at the end of the handle. Corresponds to the designation Kashira
Hi
 Groove in the blade
Hineri Maki
 Simple cross binding of the handle winding
Hira Maki
 Cross binding of the handle winding without twisting
Hira Mune
 Flat blade back without inverted V. Corresponds to the term Kaku Mune
Hira Zukuri
 Flat blade shape
Hitsu
 Opening in the tsuba for by-knife. Corresponds to the designation Hitsu Ana
Ho
 Blade of a by-knife
Ho No Ki
 Magnolia wood, which is often used to make sword scabbards
Hono To
 A sword dedicated to a temple or shrine
Hon Sanmai Gitae
 Blade construction with three types of steel
Horimono
 Engraving on the blade
Horyo
 The overall dimensions of a sword
Iai To
 Sword for sporting purposes
Ichi Mai Boshi
 Blade tip area
Ikari O Kassaki
 Large, curved sword tip
Ikubi Kissaki
 Large sword point with straight edge
In my
 Stamped signature
Iori
 Blade back in the shape of an inverted V. Corresponds to the designation Gyo No Mune
Iro
 "Colour" of the blade
Irogane
 Generic term for materials other than iron that are used for the manufacture of fittings
Itame Hada
 Blade surface with a texture reminiscent of wood grain
Ji
 Blade surface
Jigane
 Steel of the blade surface
Jindachi
 Blade with old mount, which was worn with the blade pointing downwards. Corresponds to the designation Tachi.
Kaga
 Bronze inlay for graver blades
Kaigunto
 Modern naval swords
Cake
 Japanese term for "sword stand"
Kaku Mune
 Flat blade back without inverted V. Corresponds to the term Hira Mune
Kamkura Bori
 Thin iron blade
Kanagu
 Metal fittings of the assembly
Kanagyu
 Fittings for swords with tachi mounting
Kasaneme Ataru
 A sword that is even thicker than usual on the thick side
Kashira
 Knob at the end of the handle. Corresponds to the designation Heito
Katana
 Long sword with Buke Zukuri mount
Kawagane
 Sword steel with high carbon content
Keijo
 Shape of the blade
Kesho Yasuri
 Decoration of the blade tang with file marks
Ke Saya
 Old, decorated scabbard, partly covered with fur. This decoration was mainly used for tachi mounts.
Kiku
 Shape of the chrysanthemum flower
Kiku Gata
 Trefoil in the shape of a chrysanthemum blossom
Kin
 Japanese term for "gold"
Kin Fukurin
 Gold rim on engraving leaves
Kin Gise
 Covered with gold or gold inlays
Kin In Mei
 Stamp signature inlaid with gold
Kinzogan Mei
 Signature inlaid with gold
Kiri
 Horizontal file marks on the tang of the blade
Kissaki
 Blade tip. Corresponds to the term Gissaki
Kitae
 Method of forging different types of steel together. Corresponds to the term gitae.
Kizu
 General term for defects in the blade
Kobuse
 Relatively simple blade design
Kodachi
 Short sword
Kodogu
 Generic term for the fittings of a sword
Kogatana
 Small by-knife that is often inserted into the sword or knife sheath of a katana or tanto
Kogai
 Sword pin
Koikuchi
 Literally translated "carp mouth". A term for the mouth of the sword scabbard.
Kojiri
 End of the scabbard. Often decorated with horn or metal.
Ko Kissaki
 Short sword point
Koshirae
 The complete mounting of a sword (everything except the blade)
Kozuka
 Handle of a small by-knife
Kurigata
 Eyelet for attaching the strap to the scabbard
Kyo Gunto
 Modern military sword
Machi
 Groove at the transition from the centreboard tang to the blade
Macaque
 Handle wrapping made from braided silk
Maru Kitae
 Simple blade construction. Corresponds to the designation Maru Gitae.
Maru Dome
 The round end of a gouge in the blade
Maru Mune
 Rounded blade back. Corresponds to the designation So No Mune
Masame Hada
 Straight grain of the blade surface
Mei
 Signature in the sword hilt
Mekugi
 "Pin" that holds the blade in the sword handle. Made of wood (usually bamboo) or horn
Mekugi Ana
 Hole for the blade retaining pins
Mekugi Nuki
 A small tool with which to remove the mekugi
Menuki
 Decorative ornamental element for the handle
Mitokoro Mono
 By-knife, sword pin and handle decoration (Menuki) by the same maker
Mitsu Mune
 Sword back with 2 ridges. Corresponds to the designation Shin No Mune.
Mokko Gata
 Form with 4 arches, the term is mainly used for tsuba
Mono Uchi
 Striking area of the blade. The front quarter.
Moroha Zukuri
 Blade shape with an asymmetrical double cutting edge
Moto Haba
 Blade width at the transition from the centreboard tang to the blade
Moto Kasane
 Strength of the blade
Mumei
 Without signature of the fishing rod
Mune
 Centreboard
Mune Gane
 Steel used for the back of the blade
Mune Machi
 Area of the blade where the back of the blade joins the habaki.
Mune Saki
 Area of the blade where the back of the sword joins the tip of the sword
Mune Yaki
 Hardening on the back of the blade
Mu Sori
 Blade with hardly any curvature. The term is mainly used for knives.
Nagasa
 Blade length. Measured from the transition of the sword tang to the blade to the transition of the blade to the tip of the sword. Corresponds to the designation Ha Watari
Nakago
 The sword hilt
Nakago Ana
 Opening in the blade through which the blade is inserted.
Nanban Tetsu
 Imported steel
Nodachi
 Large sword that was carried on the field.
Nise
 Partial or total counterfeiting
Nise Mei
 Forged signature. Corresponds to the term Gi Mei.
Nishiki Zutsumi Saya
 Scabbard decorated with coloured brocade fabric
Nishi No Uchi
 Rough Japanese paper
Nugui Gami
 Japanese paper used in connection with sword care
O
 Japanese term for "large"
O Dachi
 Large Tachi sword. Corresponds to the term O Tachi.
O Katana
 Large katana
O Kissaki
 Large sword point
O Suriage
 Generously shortened blade of a sword
O Tachi
 Large tachi sword. Corresponds to the term O Dachi.
O Wakizashi
 Large wakizashi
Ryu Hitsu
 Opening for byknife and sword pin in the sword or knife sheath
Sabi Nure
 Paint finish designed to imitate rust
Sabi Tsuke Nakago
 Partially rusted centreboard tang
Sageo
 Strap that is passed through the eyelet on the scabbard
Saki Zori
 Sword with strongest curvature in the front quarter of the blade
Sakura
 The cherry blossom. A very popular motif
Same
 Rayskin, which is used, for example, for inlays in sword hilts or to decorate sword scabbards.
Same Saya
 Sword scabbard decorated with ray skin
Samurai
 Warrior of the Japanese feudal period. Can be compared in the broadest sense with the knight in Europe.
Saya
 Scabbard
Sensuki
 Grinding marks on the fishing rod
Sentoku
 Japanese term for brass
Seppa
 Washer on both sides of the stitch blade
Seppa Dai
 Area of the tsuba that serves as a "platform" for contact with the washers (seppa)
Shaku
 Japanese unit of length, often used to designate the length of blades. 1 Shaku = 30.3 cm
Shingane
 Core steel (soft) in a complex blade structure
Shin Gunto
 Military sword of the modern era from 1930 to 1945
Shin Ken (Shinken)
 Simple modern swords with a sharp blade used for sporting purposes
Shin No Mune
 Sword back with 2 ridges. Corresponds to the designation Mitsu Mune.
Shinobe Ana
 Additional hole for Mekugi for extra support
Shinogi
 Ridge of the blade
Shinogi Zukuri
 Blade with burr
Shinsaku To
 Swords of the current era
Shin Shinto
 Modern swords from the 18th to 19th century. Successors to the swords known as Shinto.
Shin To (Shinto)
 Swords from the 16th to 18th century. This was followed by swords labelled Shin Shinto
Shirasaya
 Simple mounting without details such as tsuba or decorations. Usually made of magnolia wood and used for the sale / storage of swords
Shishi
 Lion dog. A breed of dog that is considered particularly noble and is a popular motif.
Shoto
 Kure's sword in the Daisho
Showato
 Mass-produced swords from 1926-1945
Shu Mei
 Lacquered signature
Shunuri
 Red paintwork
So No Mune
 Rounded blade back. Corresponds to the designation Maru Mune.
Sori
 Curvature of the blade. Is determined by "drawing" a straight line from the tip of the sword to the tsuba and then drawing the distance to the furthest point at a 90 degree angle
Tachi
 Blade with old mounting, which was worn with the blade pointing downwards. Corresponds to the designation Jindachi
Tachi Koshirae
 Mounting of a tachi. Corresponds to the designation Tachi Goshirae.
Tachi Mei
 Signature on the blade of a tachi
Tamahagane
 Sword steel produced in the traditional way (Tatare)
Tameshigiri
 Cutting test for swords
Refuelling
 Literally means "small sword". A knife that is usually less than 30 cm long. Corresponds to the term tanto.
Tanto
 Means "small sword". A knife that is usually less than 30 cm long. Corresponds to the term tank.
Tartar
 A "melting furnace" in which iron sand is melted to produce the classic sword steel tamahagane
To
 Any type of sword with a single-edged blade
Token
 Generic term for any type of sword
Torii Zori
 Blade curvature where the centre of curvature is in the centre of the blade
Tsuba
 The blade of a sword
Tsuka
 The hilt of a sword including decoration and fittings
Tsuka Ito
 The band for the handle winding of a sword
Tsuka Maki
 The handle wrap. There are many different ways to tie the strap for the handle wrap.
Tsuno
 Japanese term for horn
Tsunagi
 Wooden dummy blade. Used to hold a mount together without a real blade.
Ubu Nakago
 Unshortened sword tang in original condition
Uchigatana
 Early short sword that was often carried in addition to the tachi.
Uchiko
 Fine sword powder used for sword care
Wakizashi
 Short, one-handed sword. Usually between 30 and 70 cm long.
Wari Bashi
 Chopsticks that were carried on the sword scabbard like by-knives
Yasurime
 File marks on the sword tang, which are added to the signature as an identification mark
Yokote
 Degree that separates the tip of the blade from the rest of the blade
Yoroi Toshi
 Small knife intended for thrusting through armour

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