Japanese Glossary of Sword Terms
Dec 7, 2013 4:15:24 GMT
Post by Jack Loomes on Dec 7, 2013 4:15:24 GMT
For diagrams of the part of a Japanese Sword see here: sword-site.com/thread/547/diagrams-parts-japanese-sword
AIKUCHI
Aikuchi (literally “fitting mouth”) is a form of koshirae mounting for Japanese tanto blades (up to 30cm) in which the handle and the scabbard meet without a guard in between.
ARA-NIE
Name given for large coarse Nie. Nie are martensite crystals that are formed during the heating and quenching process. Nie are crystals that are large enough to be viewed as individual particles.
ASHI
Projections or short lines of soft steel that run from the border of the hamon (patterns of Nie or Nioi) to the edge of the blade. Literal translation is “Leg or Foot”.
AYASUGI
A pattern of grain (Hada) forming regular wavy lines used mostly by the Gassan and Satsuma Naminohira schools.
BOHI
Wide groove almost filling the shinogi surface.
BONJI
Sanscrit characters occasionally carved onto the blade surface.
BOSHI
The shape of temper line in the point of the sword.
BO-UTSURI
Straight faint mirror like reflections of the temper line.
BUSHIDO
Literal translation: “Military-Knight-Ways”. An unwritten code of moral principles which the knights (Samurai) were required or instructed to observe. Inazo Nitobe wrote BUSHIDO: The Soul of Japan in 1900 which is a recommended book for those interested in learning more about BUSHIDO.
CHIKEI
Term used for a bright curved line (such as Nioi) that occurs in ji (grain body of the sword).
CHOJI
Hamon (temper line) that is in the shape of cloves. Typical swords in the Bizen tradition feature temper lines with choji.
CHOJI-MIDARE
Term given for a clove-shaped temper line mixed with irregular shapes.
CHU-KISSAKI
Chu means ‘middle”. This is a term for a blade point of medium length in proportion to the width of the blade near the tang.
CHU-SUGUBA
Chu means ‘middle”. This is a term given for a hamon (temper line) that is straight with medium width.
DAISHO
This is a matched pair of swords (typically a katana and wakizashi with koshirae mountings). Only Samurai carried a daisho.
DAITO
That A [sic] long sword. Literally a large sword.
FUKURA
The cutting edge of the sword point.
FUKURE
Flaws
FUMBARI
A term used to describe a blade which becomes noticeably wider as it approaches the hilt. A feature of Koto blades.
FURISODE
A tang shape with the end deeply curved toward the back side which resembles a kimono sleeve.
GAKUMEI
The signature removed from the original tang and inserted into the shortened tang.
GINSUJI
A silvery color kinsuji line in the temper line (yakiba).
GISHI
A man of Rectitude. Rectitude is the power of deciding upon a certain course of conduct in accordance with reason, without wavering – to die when it is right to die, to strike when to strike is right.” (Inazo Nitobe, BUSHIDO, The Soul of Japan, p. 46)
GUNOME
A type of Hamon (temper) resembling regular half circles.
GUNOME-MIDARE
An irregular mixture of ragged gunome.
GUNTO
A general terms for swords with military mountings.
HA
The cutting edge of the sword.
HABAKI
The collar around the blade above the tang to fit the blade securely into the scabbard.
HA-BUCHI
The border line between the Ji and the Yakiba.
HADA
The surface grain of the blade. There are many types and more than one type can be on the same blade.
HAGANE
Steel used to make a Japanese sword (may also be referred to as tamahagane, the raw steel)
HAGIRI
A flaw where the blade edge is cracked entirely through the edge of the blade at a right angle to the edge.
HAKIKAKE
A feature of the tempered edge in which Nie appear in a swept or brush-stroke pattern.
HAKO BA
A box shaped Hamon.
HAMACHI
The edge notch where the blade joins the tang.
HAMON
The temper line.
HANDACHI
A katana with partly Tachi mountings.
HI
Grooves cut into the sword.
HIRA
Flat surface of the blade.
HIRA-ZUKURI
A blade shape which is flat without shinogi ridges.
HITATSURA
Name given to a blade with a hamon (temper line) pattern known as full temper. The blade tends to resemble a tiger.
HITSU ANA
One or two holes in the sword guard (Tsuba) through which the kozuka and/or kogai are inserted into pockets in the scabbard.
HORIMONO
A general term for carvings on the blade surface. Here is a wakizashi by Nobukuni that features Bonji, which is Horimono
IHORI-MUNE
Two surface shape to the mune (back edge) of the blade.
IKUBI-KISSAKI
A short and stubby point said to resemble the neck of a wild boar.
INAZUMA
Lightening shaped bright lines in the Yakiba or the Hada.
ITAME HADA
Wood grain pattern in the surface steel.
JI
The surface of the blade between the Yakiba and the Shinogi.
JIHADA
Surface texture. The various patterns of Hada.
JI-NIE
The presence of Nie in the Ji.
JINJA
A shrine (jinja) is a sacred place where kami live, and which show the power and nature of the kami. It’s conventional in Japan to refer to Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples – but Shinto shrines actually are temples, despite not using that name. Every village and town or district in Japan will have its own Shinto shrine, dedicated to the local kami.
KAEN
A flame shaped boshi pattern.
KAERI
The shape of the turn back of the boshi pattern.
KAI GUNTO
Term used to descrive modern Japanese Naval swords.
KAJI
A swordsmith
KAKU-MUNE
A square shape to the back of the Mune.
KAMI
Shinto is based on belief in, and worship of, Kami or ‘spirits’. Kami can be elements of the landscape or forces of nature. For a well produced background on Kami, please visit the BBC website here.
KANJI
Chinese writing characters used in Japan. Our calligraphy artist Houso Oguri produces lovely Kanji artwork that you can see here.
KANTEI
The study and appraisal of Japanese swords.
KASANE
General term for the thickness of the blade.
KATANA
The general term for a long sword (2-shaku) 60.6cm or greater, worn cutting edge up through the sash.
KATANA KAJI
Swordsmith.
KATANA MEI
Name given to the signature on the side of the tang which is AWAY from the body when the blade is worn with the cutting edge up.
KATANA TOGISHI
A sword polisher. Here is a photo of a sword polisher’s workshop in Kamakura, Japan.
KATANA KAKE
A sword stand horizontal display.
KATAKIRIBA
A sword shape with a ridgeline on one side only and the other side flat.
KEN
Straight sword which is double edged.
KENGYO
A butt end of the tang with a symmetrical V-shape.
KINSUJI
Whitish golden lines along or in the Yakiba.
KISSAKI
The point of the blade. Many shapes.
KITAE
The style of forging.
KIZU
Various flaws or defects in a blade. Literal translation: “cut or scratch”.
KODACHI
Term given to short tachi blades usually 60.6cm or less from the Kamakura period.
KODOGU
This is the collective term for all the fittings except the Tsuba.
KOGAI
A hair arranger which fits into a pocket in the scabbard and is withdrawn through the tsuba (Hitsu Ana).
KOJIRI
Fitting on the bottom end of the scabbard.
KO-KISSAKI
A blade point of short length in proportion to the width of the blade near the tang.
KOMARU
A small round boshi.
KO-MOKUME
Small wood burl grain Hada.
KO-NIE
Tiny Nie (Martinsite) crystals along the Hamon.
KOSHIRAE
Sword mountings including scabbard, fittings, and handle.
KOSHI-ZORI
A type of blade curve which has the maximum curve point nearer the tang than the middle.
KOTO
Old swords. Usually means swords made before 1596.
KO-WAKIZASHI
A short wakizashi.
KOZUKA
Small utility knife which fits into the pocket in the scabbard.
KURI-JIRI
Chestnut shaped tang end.
KURIKATA
Knob on the side of the scabbard for the belt cord.
MACHI
Notches in the blade to stop the Habaki. Edge side is the Hamachi; back side is the Munemachi.
MACHI OKURI
When the notches have been moved up the blade.
MAKI ITO
The braid for wrapping handles.
MARU-DOME
The round end of a groove.
MARU MUNE
Rounded back edged of the blade.
MASAME-HADA
Straight grain
MEI
Signature.
MEKUGI
The peg holding the handle on the sword.
MEKUGI-ANA
The hole for the Mekugi.
MENUKI
Ornaments under the handle wrapping to improve the grip.
MIDAREBA
Irregular Hamon patterns.
MIDARE-CHOJI
Irregular clove shapes in the Hamon.
MIHABA
The general term for the width of a sword blade (from the back edge to the cutting edge).
MITSU MUNE
Term for a three surface back edge of the blade.
MIZUKAGI
This is the white diagonal stripe at the base of a retempered blade.
MOKUME-HADA
A burl wood grain Hada (body).
MONO-UCHI
This is the striking area of the blade, generally 12-16cm inches below the point (Kissaki).
MOROHA
This is a doubled-edged sword.
MOTOHABA
This is the width of the blade measured at the Habaki (collar of the blade).
MUMEI
A blade without a signature.
MUNE
The back edge of the blade.
MUNE MACHI
The notch in the back of the blade to stop the Habaki.
MUNEYAKI
This is the term for a temper pattern along the back edge of the blade.
MUSORI
A blade without curvature (sori).
NAGAMAI
A type of koshirae used on a Naginata in the late Kamakura and early Muromachi periods . It came from the fact that the hilt for the long blade was wrapped with a cord or a leather strip wound around it.
NAGASA
The length of the blade.
NAGINATA
A long hafted sword, wielded in large sweeping strokes. This is a sword blade of one of several similar shapes that was used attached to a long pole. It is also referred to as a polearm.
NAKAGO
The tang of the blade. The part of the blade that fits into the handle.
NAKAGO JIRI
A general term used for the butt end of the tang.
NAKAGO MUNE
The back edge of the tang.
NAMBAN TETSU
General term for foreign steel.
NAMBOKUCHO
The period of the Northern and Southern dynasties, ~1333 to 1392. Here is a Nobukuni wakizashi from the Nambokucho period.
NAOSHI
Corrected or repaired.
NIE
Martensite crystals formed during the heating and quenching process. Nie are crystals which are large enough to be viewed as individual particles.
NIOI
The same as Nie except that these particles are too small to be discernible to the naked eye and appear like a mist or fog.
NOTARE
A term refering to a Hamon outline that is wavelike.
O-CHOJI
Hamon of large choji patterns.
OMOTE
The side of the sword away from the body as it is worn. The opposite side is called the ura or back.
ORIGAMI
A certificate of appraisal.
ORIKAESHI-MEI
Blade signature folded into the opposite of the tang when the blade is shortened.
OSHIGATA
A rubbing of the inscription on the tang. Here is an example of an Oshigata on a certificate.
O-SURIAGE
A shortened sword losing all or most of the original tang.
O-WAKIZASHI
Longer Wakizashi, almost 2-shaku (60.6cm) in length.
SAGEO
The cord or braid attached to the Kurikata on one side of the scabbard.
SAIHA
Term given for a re-tempered edge.
SAKA-CHOJI
Choji shapes slanting down toward the base of the blade.
SAKI-HABA
The width of the blade at the Kissaki (point of the blade).
SAKI-ZORI
Curvature of the blade with the more pronounced curve toward the point.
SAME
Patch of skin from a ray fish used on sword handles and sometimes on scabbards.
SAMURAI
Samurai warriors were the elite of four classes of Japanese feudal society; samurai, farmers, craftsmen, and then merchants. The samurai were expected to bring security to the members of the other three classes. The term, samurai, is
a derivative of the Japanese verb for service, “saburau”. Samurai literally means “one who is a servant”, and that is how they began, as ‘servants’ to Emperor Tenmu back in the 7th century.
Samurai were inspired by Bushido “Military-Knight-Ways” is an unwritten code of moral principles which the knights (samurai) were required or instructed to observe. Bushido made the sword its emblem of power and prowess. The very possession of such an instrument imparts to him a feeling and an air of self-respect and responsibility. What he carries in his belt is a symbol of what he carries in his mind and heart, – loyalty and honor.
SANBONSUGI
A “three-tree” type pattern Hamon (temper line). Swordsmith Kanemoto of Mino province (modern-day Gify prefecture) was famous for this.
SAYA
The scabbard or sheath.
SEPPA
The washers used to fill the space between the tsuba and the sword.
SEPPUKU
Literal translation: “stomach-cutting”. Known also as Hara-kiri. A form of Japanese ritual suicide by disembowelment. A good article can be read here.
SHAKU
The Japanese unit of measurement equaling 30.3cm (11.93 inches). A tanto measures less than 1 shaku, a wakizashi measures between 1 and 2 shaku, and a katana is 2 shaku or more in length.
1 shaku = 30.30cm (11.93 inches)
1 shaku = 10 sun
1 sun = 3.03cm (1.193 inches)
1 sun = 10 bu
1 bu = .3030cm (0.119 inches)
1 bu = 10 rin
1 rin = .03030cm (0.01193 inches)
SHINAE
Small cracks cross-ways in a blade. A flaw.
SHINOGI
Ridges on each side of the blade.
SHINOGI-ZUKURI
These are swords made with a ridge line, the most prevalent type of sword.
SHINTO
These are ‘New swords’. Swords produced between 1596 and about 1800.
SHINTOISM
The essence of Shinto is the Japanese devotion to invisible spiritual beings and powers called kami, to shrines, and to various rituals. Shinto has no known founder or single sacred scripture.
Shinto is wholly devoted to life in this world and emphasises man’s essential goodness. For a well produced background on Shintoism.
SHIN-SHINTO
Literal translation: “New, new swords.” Swords between 1800 and 1870.
SHIRASAYA
White wooden scabbard usually made from Japanese ‘Honoki’ wood.
SHOWA-TO
These are handmade blades made after 1926.
SORI
The term for the curvature of the sword.
SUGUBA
This is a sword with a straight Hamon paralleling the edge curve.
SUN
The Japanese measure for one-tenth of a shaku.
1 shaku = 30.30cm (11.93 inches)
1 shaku = 10 sun
1 sun = 3.03cm (1.193 inches)
1 sun = 10 bu
1 bu = .3030cm (0.119 inches)
1 bu = 10 rin
1 rin = .03030cm (0.01193 inches)
SUNAGASHI
Sweeping lines along the Hamon like floating sand ridges.
SUN-NOBI
Longer than average Wakizashi or Tanto.
SURIAGE
A shortened blade. Generally performed from the base of the blade by cutting the Nakago.
TACHI
The general term for swords slung blade down, carried mainly on horseback. Tachi swords were mainly produced during the Heian period (794 to 1185) and the Kamakura period (1185–1333)
TACHI KAKE
This is a sword rack or stand for a Tachi.
TACHI MEI
This is the name given to a sword whose signature (mei) is on the side of the tang which is away from the body when the blade is worn slung with the cutting edge down.
TAMESHIGIRI
Term given to the cutting test on a sword.
TANTO
Short daggers less than one shaku in length (30.3cm).
TOGI
Polish on a sword.
TORII ZORI
The curvature of the sword with the deepest part in the center of the blade.
TSUBA
A sword guard.
TSUKA
A sword handle (hilt).
TSUKA ITO
The braid for wrapping handle, normally made of silk.
TSUKA MAKI
The sword handle wrapping.
TSUNAGI
This is the term for the ‘mirror’ wooden sword that keeps the Koshirae intact when the blade is in the Shirasaya.
UBU NAKAGO
An original unaltered tang.
UCHIZORI
A type of curve that bends slightly towards, rather than away from, the cutting edge.
URA
The side of the sword next to the body when the sword is worn.
UTSURI
A misty reflection found on the ji and shinoji of swords of every possible type of surface grain. These faint lines appear to reflect the Hamon.
WAKIZASHI
Medium length sword between one and two feet. See available Wakizashi swords here.
WARI KOGAI
A kogai split to form chopsticks.
YAKIBA
The tempered surface along the edge.
YAKIDASHI
The end section of the Hamon near the tang.
YAKINAOSHI
Retempered blades.
YARI
A spear.
YASURI ME
File marks on the tang.
YOKOTE
The line separating the blade portion of the sword from the point portion.
YUUKI
(勇気). A quote from Prince Mito: 揑t is true courage to live when it is right to live, and to die only when it is right to die.�As titled in Chapter IV, BUSHIDO by Inazo Nitobe 揅ourage, the spirit of daring and bearing.
ZAIMEI
A tang with signature. Visit our page with detailed information on parts of a Japanese sword.
ZEN
Japanese equivalent for the Dhyana, which “represents human effort to reach through meditation zones of thought beyond the range of verbal expression.” (Lafcadio Hearn, Exotics and Retrospectives, p. 84)
Source: new.uniquejapan.com/glossary/
AIKUCHI
Aikuchi (literally “fitting mouth”) is a form of koshirae mounting for Japanese tanto blades (up to 30cm) in which the handle and the scabbard meet without a guard in between.
ARA-NIE
Name given for large coarse Nie. Nie are martensite crystals that are formed during the heating and quenching process. Nie are crystals that are large enough to be viewed as individual particles.
ASHI
Projections or short lines of soft steel that run from the border of the hamon (patterns of Nie or Nioi) to the edge of the blade. Literal translation is “Leg or Foot”.
AYASUGI
A pattern of grain (Hada) forming regular wavy lines used mostly by the Gassan and Satsuma Naminohira schools.
BOHI
Wide groove almost filling the shinogi surface.
BONJI
Sanscrit characters occasionally carved onto the blade surface.
BOSHI
The shape of temper line in the point of the sword.
BO-UTSURI
Straight faint mirror like reflections of the temper line.
BUSHIDO
Literal translation: “Military-Knight-Ways”. An unwritten code of moral principles which the knights (Samurai) were required or instructed to observe. Inazo Nitobe wrote BUSHIDO: The Soul of Japan in 1900 which is a recommended book for those interested in learning more about BUSHIDO.
CHIKEI
Term used for a bright curved line (such as Nioi) that occurs in ji (grain body of the sword).
CHOJI
Hamon (temper line) that is in the shape of cloves. Typical swords in the Bizen tradition feature temper lines with choji.
CHOJI-MIDARE
Term given for a clove-shaped temper line mixed with irregular shapes.
CHU-KISSAKI
Chu means ‘middle”. This is a term for a blade point of medium length in proportion to the width of the blade near the tang.
CHU-SUGUBA
Chu means ‘middle”. This is a term given for a hamon (temper line) that is straight with medium width.
DAISHO
This is a matched pair of swords (typically a katana and wakizashi with koshirae mountings). Only Samurai carried a daisho.
DAITO
That A [sic] long sword. Literally a large sword.
FUKURA
The cutting edge of the sword point.
FUKURE
Flaws
FUMBARI
A term used to describe a blade which becomes noticeably wider as it approaches the hilt. A feature of Koto blades.
FURISODE
A tang shape with the end deeply curved toward the back side which resembles a kimono sleeve.
GAKUMEI
The signature removed from the original tang and inserted into the shortened tang.
GINSUJI
A silvery color kinsuji line in the temper line (yakiba).
GISHI
A man of Rectitude. Rectitude is the power of deciding upon a certain course of conduct in accordance with reason, without wavering – to die when it is right to die, to strike when to strike is right.” (Inazo Nitobe, BUSHIDO, The Soul of Japan, p. 46)
GUNOME
A type of Hamon (temper) resembling regular half circles.
GUNOME-MIDARE
An irregular mixture of ragged gunome.
GUNTO
A general terms for swords with military mountings.
HA
The cutting edge of the sword.
HABAKI
The collar around the blade above the tang to fit the blade securely into the scabbard.
HA-BUCHI
The border line between the Ji and the Yakiba.
HADA
The surface grain of the blade. There are many types and more than one type can be on the same blade.
HAGANE
Steel used to make a Japanese sword (may also be referred to as tamahagane, the raw steel)
HAGIRI
A flaw where the blade edge is cracked entirely through the edge of the blade at a right angle to the edge.
HAKIKAKE
A feature of the tempered edge in which Nie appear in a swept or brush-stroke pattern.
HAKO BA
A box shaped Hamon.
HAMACHI
The edge notch where the blade joins the tang.
HAMON
The temper line.
HANDACHI
A katana with partly Tachi mountings.
HI
Grooves cut into the sword.
HIRA
Flat surface of the blade.
HIRA-ZUKURI
A blade shape which is flat without shinogi ridges.
HITATSURA
Name given to a blade with a hamon (temper line) pattern known as full temper. The blade tends to resemble a tiger.
HITSU ANA
One or two holes in the sword guard (Tsuba) through which the kozuka and/or kogai are inserted into pockets in the scabbard.
HORIMONO
A general term for carvings on the blade surface. Here is a wakizashi by Nobukuni that features Bonji, which is Horimono
IHORI-MUNE
Two surface shape to the mune (back edge) of the blade.
IKUBI-KISSAKI
A short and stubby point said to resemble the neck of a wild boar.
INAZUMA
Lightening shaped bright lines in the Yakiba or the Hada.
ITAME HADA
Wood grain pattern in the surface steel.
JI
The surface of the blade between the Yakiba and the Shinogi.
JIHADA
Surface texture. The various patterns of Hada.
JI-NIE
The presence of Nie in the Ji.
JINJA
A shrine (jinja) is a sacred place where kami live, and which show the power and nature of the kami. It’s conventional in Japan to refer to Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples – but Shinto shrines actually are temples, despite not using that name. Every village and town or district in Japan will have its own Shinto shrine, dedicated to the local kami.
KAEN
A flame shaped boshi pattern.
KAERI
The shape of the turn back of the boshi pattern.
KAI GUNTO
Term used to descrive modern Japanese Naval swords.
KAJI
A swordsmith
KAKU-MUNE
A square shape to the back of the Mune.
KAMI
Shinto is based on belief in, and worship of, Kami or ‘spirits’. Kami can be elements of the landscape or forces of nature. For a well produced background on Kami, please visit the BBC website here.
KANJI
Chinese writing characters used in Japan. Our calligraphy artist Houso Oguri produces lovely Kanji artwork that you can see here.
KANTEI
The study and appraisal of Japanese swords.
KASANE
General term for the thickness of the blade.
KATANA
The general term for a long sword (2-shaku) 60.6cm or greater, worn cutting edge up through the sash.
KATANA KAJI
Swordsmith.
KATANA MEI
Name given to the signature on the side of the tang which is AWAY from the body when the blade is worn with the cutting edge up.
KATANA TOGISHI
A sword polisher. Here is a photo of a sword polisher’s workshop in Kamakura, Japan.
KATANA KAKE
A sword stand horizontal display.
KATAKIRIBA
A sword shape with a ridgeline on one side only and the other side flat.
KEN
Straight sword which is double edged.
KENGYO
A butt end of the tang with a symmetrical V-shape.
KINSUJI
Whitish golden lines along or in the Yakiba.
KISSAKI
The point of the blade. Many shapes.
KITAE
The style of forging.
KIZU
Various flaws or defects in a blade. Literal translation: “cut or scratch”.
KODACHI
Term given to short tachi blades usually 60.6cm or less from the Kamakura period.
KODOGU
This is the collective term for all the fittings except the Tsuba.
KOGAI
A hair arranger which fits into a pocket in the scabbard and is withdrawn through the tsuba (Hitsu Ana).
KOJIRI
Fitting on the bottom end of the scabbard.
KO-KISSAKI
A blade point of short length in proportion to the width of the blade near the tang.
KOMARU
A small round boshi.
KO-MOKUME
Small wood burl grain Hada.
KO-NIE
Tiny Nie (Martinsite) crystals along the Hamon.
KOSHIRAE
Sword mountings including scabbard, fittings, and handle.
KOSHI-ZORI
A type of blade curve which has the maximum curve point nearer the tang than the middle.
KOTO
Old swords. Usually means swords made before 1596.
KO-WAKIZASHI
A short wakizashi.
KOZUKA
Small utility knife which fits into the pocket in the scabbard.
KURI-JIRI
Chestnut shaped tang end.
KURIKATA
Knob on the side of the scabbard for the belt cord.
MACHI
Notches in the blade to stop the Habaki. Edge side is the Hamachi; back side is the Munemachi.
MACHI OKURI
When the notches have been moved up the blade.
MAKI ITO
The braid for wrapping handles.
MARU-DOME
The round end of a groove.
MARU MUNE
Rounded back edged of the blade.
MASAME-HADA
Straight grain
MEI
Signature.
MEKUGI
The peg holding the handle on the sword.
MEKUGI-ANA
The hole for the Mekugi.
MENUKI
Ornaments under the handle wrapping to improve the grip.
MIDAREBA
Irregular Hamon patterns.
MIDARE-CHOJI
Irregular clove shapes in the Hamon.
MIHABA
The general term for the width of a sword blade (from the back edge to the cutting edge).
MITSU MUNE
Term for a three surface back edge of the blade.
MIZUKAGI
This is the white diagonal stripe at the base of a retempered blade.
MOKUME-HADA
A burl wood grain Hada (body).
MONO-UCHI
This is the striking area of the blade, generally 12-16cm inches below the point (Kissaki).
MOROHA
This is a doubled-edged sword.
MOTOHABA
This is the width of the blade measured at the Habaki (collar of the blade).
MUMEI
A blade without a signature.
MUNE
The back edge of the blade.
MUNE MACHI
The notch in the back of the blade to stop the Habaki.
MUNEYAKI
This is the term for a temper pattern along the back edge of the blade.
MUSORI
A blade without curvature (sori).
NAGAMAI
A type of koshirae used on a Naginata in the late Kamakura and early Muromachi periods . It came from the fact that the hilt for the long blade was wrapped with a cord or a leather strip wound around it.
NAGASA
The length of the blade.
NAGINATA
A long hafted sword, wielded in large sweeping strokes. This is a sword blade of one of several similar shapes that was used attached to a long pole. It is also referred to as a polearm.
NAKAGO
The tang of the blade. The part of the blade that fits into the handle.
NAKAGO JIRI
A general term used for the butt end of the tang.
NAKAGO MUNE
The back edge of the tang.
NAMBAN TETSU
General term for foreign steel.
NAMBOKUCHO
The period of the Northern and Southern dynasties, ~1333 to 1392. Here is a Nobukuni wakizashi from the Nambokucho period.
NAOSHI
Corrected or repaired.
NIE
Martensite crystals formed during the heating and quenching process. Nie are crystals which are large enough to be viewed as individual particles.
NIOI
The same as Nie except that these particles are too small to be discernible to the naked eye and appear like a mist or fog.
NOTARE
A term refering to a Hamon outline that is wavelike.
O-CHOJI
Hamon of large choji patterns.
OMOTE
The side of the sword away from the body as it is worn. The opposite side is called the ura or back.
ORIGAMI
A certificate of appraisal.
ORIKAESHI-MEI
Blade signature folded into the opposite of the tang when the blade is shortened.
OSHIGATA
A rubbing of the inscription on the tang. Here is an example of an Oshigata on a certificate.
O-SURIAGE
A shortened sword losing all or most of the original tang.
O-WAKIZASHI
Longer Wakizashi, almost 2-shaku (60.6cm) in length.
SAGEO
The cord or braid attached to the Kurikata on one side of the scabbard.
SAIHA
Term given for a re-tempered edge.
SAKA-CHOJI
Choji shapes slanting down toward the base of the blade.
SAKI-HABA
The width of the blade at the Kissaki (point of the blade).
SAKI-ZORI
Curvature of the blade with the more pronounced curve toward the point.
SAME
Patch of skin from a ray fish used on sword handles and sometimes on scabbards.
SAMURAI
Samurai warriors were the elite of four classes of Japanese feudal society; samurai, farmers, craftsmen, and then merchants. The samurai were expected to bring security to the members of the other three classes. The term, samurai, is
a derivative of the Japanese verb for service, “saburau”. Samurai literally means “one who is a servant”, and that is how they began, as ‘servants’ to Emperor Tenmu back in the 7th century.
Samurai were inspired by Bushido “Military-Knight-Ways” is an unwritten code of moral principles which the knights (samurai) were required or instructed to observe. Bushido made the sword its emblem of power and prowess. The very possession of such an instrument imparts to him a feeling and an air of self-respect and responsibility. What he carries in his belt is a symbol of what he carries in his mind and heart, – loyalty and honor.
SANBONSUGI
A “three-tree” type pattern Hamon (temper line). Swordsmith Kanemoto of Mino province (modern-day Gify prefecture) was famous for this.
SAYA
The scabbard or sheath.
SEPPA
The washers used to fill the space between the tsuba and the sword.
SEPPUKU
Literal translation: “stomach-cutting”. Known also as Hara-kiri. A form of Japanese ritual suicide by disembowelment. A good article can be read here.
SHAKU
The Japanese unit of measurement equaling 30.3cm (11.93 inches). A tanto measures less than 1 shaku, a wakizashi measures between 1 and 2 shaku, and a katana is 2 shaku or more in length.
1 shaku = 30.30cm (11.93 inches)
1 shaku = 10 sun
1 sun = 3.03cm (1.193 inches)
1 sun = 10 bu
1 bu = .3030cm (0.119 inches)
1 bu = 10 rin
1 rin = .03030cm (0.01193 inches)
SHINAE
Small cracks cross-ways in a blade. A flaw.
SHINOGI
Ridges on each side of the blade.
SHINOGI-ZUKURI
These are swords made with a ridge line, the most prevalent type of sword.
SHINTO
These are ‘New swords’. Swords produced between 1596 and about 1800.
SHINTOISM
The essence of Shinto is the Japanese devotion to invisible spiritual beings and powers called kami, to shrines, and to various rituals. Shinto has no known founder or single sacred scripture.
Shinto is wholly devoted to life in this world and emphasises man’s essential goodness. For a well produced background on Shintoism.
SHIN-SHINTO
Literal translation: “New, new swords.” Swords between 1800 and 1870.
SHIRASAYA
White wooden scabbard usually made from Japanese ‘Honoki’ wood.
SHOWA-TO
These are handmade blades made after 1926.
SORI
The term for the curvature of the sword.
SUGUBA
This is a sword with a straight Hamon paralleling the edge curve.
SUN
The Japanese measure for one-tenth of a shaku.
1 shaku = 30.30cm (11.93 inches)
1 shaku = 10 sun
1 sun = 3.03cm (1.193 inches)
1 sun = 10 bu
1 bu = .3030cm (0.119 inches)
1 bu = 10 rin
1 rin = .03030cm (0.01193 inches)
SUNAGASHI
Sweeping lines along the Hamon like floating sand ridges.
SUN-NOBI
Longer than average Wakizashi or Tanto.
SURIAGE
A shortened blade. Generally performed from the base of the blade by cutting the Nakago.
TACHI
The general term for swords slung blade down, carried mainly on horseback. Tachi swords were mainly produced during the Heian period (794 to 1185) and the Kamakura period (1185–1333)
TACHI KAKE
This is a sword rack or stand for a Tachi.
TACHI MEI
This is the name given to a sword whose signature (mei) is on the side of the tang which is away from the body when the blade is worn slung with the cutting edge down.
TAMESHIGIRI
Term given to the cutting test on a sword.
TANTO
Short daggers less than one shaku in length (30.3cm).
TOGI
Polish on a sword.
TORII ZORI
The curvature of the sword with the deepest part in the center of the blade.
TSUBA
A sword guard.
TSUKA
A sword handle (hilt).
TSUKA ITO
The braid for wrapping handle, normally made of silk.
TSUKA MAKI
The sword handle wrapping.
TSUNAGI
This is the term for the ‘mirror’ wooden sword that keeps the Koshirae intact when the blade is in the Shirasaya.
UBU NAKAGO
An original unaltered tang.
UCHIZORI
A type of curve that bends slightly towards, rather than away from, the cutting edge.
URA
The side of the sword next to the body when the sword is worn.
UTSURI
A misty reflection found on the ji and shinoji of swords of every possible type of surface grain. These faint lines appear to reflect the Hamon.
WAKIZASHI
Medium length sword between one and two feet. See available Wakizashi swords here.
WARI KOGAI
A kogai split to form chopsticks.
YAKIBA
The tempered surface along the edge.
YAKIDASHI
The end section of the Hamon near the tang.
YAKINAOSHI
Retempered blades.
YARI
A spear.
YASURI ME
File marks on the tang.
YOKOTE
The line separating the blade portion of the sword from the point portion.
YUUKI
(勇気). A quote from Prince Mito: 揑t is true courage to live when it is right to live, and to die only when it is right to die.�As titled in Chapter IV, BUSHIDO by Inazo Nitobe 揅ourage, the spirit of daring and bearing.
ZAIMEI
A tang with signature. Visit our page with detailed information on parts of a Japanese sword.
ZEN
Japanese equivalent for the Dhyana, which “represents human effort to reach through meditation zones of thought beyond the range of verbal expression.” (Lafcadio Hearn, Exotics and Retrospectives, p. 84)
Source: new.uniquejapan.com/glossary/
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