{"id":4685,"date":"2019-10-07T08:13:48","date_gmt":"2019-10-06T23:13:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.samuraimuseum.jp\/shop\/?page_id=4685"},"modified":"2025-04-08T09:19:30","modified_gmt":"2025-04-08T00:19:30","slug":"glossary","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.samuraimuseum.jp\/shop\/glossary\/","title":{"rendered":"Japanese Sword Glossary"},"content":{"rendered":"

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<\/a>A<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Ara-nie\uff08\u8352\u6cb8\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nLarge nie crystals<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ashi\uff08\u8db3\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nLiterally legs, usually nioi, extending from the hamon towards the cutting edge.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ashi-kanamono\uff08\u8db3\u91d1\u7269\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nFittings attached to the saya that attach to the obi-tori.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ashi-kawa\uff08\u8db3\u9769\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nFixed length leather obi-tori straps in the case of ito-maki-tachi koshirae.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ashi-ma\uff08\u8db3\u9593\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nThe space between the two ashi-kanamono.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ayasugi-hada\uff08\u7dbe\u6749\u808c\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nUndulating grain pattern in the ji resembling a Japanese cedar grain pattern.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

<\/a>B<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Bakufu\uff08\u5e55\u5e9c\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nTent government<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Bakumatsu\uff08\u5e55\u672b\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nAn era in the late Edo period 1853-1867<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Banzashi-daisho\uff08\u756a\u5dee\u5927\u5c0f\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nA pair of swords in matching mountings. The scabbards were plain black lacquer with horn fittings. The handle had a horn pommel, and the base had a shakudo-nanko fitting (fuchi), with plain black brocade wrap over a white ray-skin base. Other fittings, sword guard, the decorative handgrips (menuki), and other utensils (kogai and kozuka) were also made out of a gold and copper alloy called shakudo.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Bizen\uff08\u5099\u524d\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nArcheaic province of Japan, modern day Okayama prefecture<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Bizen-to\uff08\u5099\u524d\u5200\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nSwords produced in Bizen<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Bizen-zori\uff08\u5099\u524d\u53cd\u308a\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nDeep curvature close to the tang area of the sword; also known as koshi-zori<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Bo-hi\uff08\u68d2\u6a0b\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nLong groove, carved into the blade, often mistakenly referred to as a blood groove<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Bonji\uff08\u68b5\u5b57\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nSanscrit characters carved into the blade invoking Buddhist deities.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Boshi\uff08\u5e3d\u5b50\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nThe hamon formed within the kissaki<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Bo-utsuri\uff08\u68d2\u6620\u308a\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nA straight formation of usturi<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Bu\uff08\u5206\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nJapanese imperial form of measurement (10 bu = 1 sun)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Bushi\uff08\u6b66\u58eb\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nAnother term for samurai – the warrior class<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

<\/a>C<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Chikei\uff08\u5730\u666f\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nA curved line of nie, seen in the ji<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Choji abura\uff08\u4e01\u5b50\u6cb9\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nClove oil, used for preserving blades<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Choji ashi\uff08\u4e01\u5b50\u8db3\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nClove-shaped ashi<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Choji midare\uff08\u4e01\u5b50\u4e71\u308c\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nA hamon consisting of choji shapes, but the overall line of the hamon has no definable form.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Choji midare komi\uff08\u4e01\u5b50\u4e71\u308c\u8fbc\u307f\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nA choji midare hamon that continues into the kissaki<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Choji utsuri\uff08\u4e01\u5b50\u6620\u308a\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nUtsuri in the pattern of choji<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Chokuto\uff08\u76f4\u5200\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nA straight sword, but similar in construction to the tachi<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Chu-kissaki\uff08\u4e2d\u5207\u5148\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nA medium sized kissaki, in relation to the overall size of the blade<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Chu-suguha\uff08\u4e2d\u76f4\u5203\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nA medium-sized straight hamon<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

<\/a>D<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Daimyo\uff08\u5927\u540d\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nProvincial samurai lords<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Daisho\uff08\u5927\u5c0f\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nA pair of swords in matching fittings worn together: dai- being the long sword, and sho- being the shorter companion sword. Only the samurai were permitted to wear daisho during the Edo period.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Dewa\uff08\u51fa\u7fbd\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nArchaic name for region in present-day Akita & Yamagata Prefectures<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Dogane\uff08\u80f4\u91d1\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nTubular fittings on the tsuka or saya.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

<\/a>E<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Eto\uff08\u5e72\u652f\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nZodiacal calender often used for date inscriptions on swords, originally from China.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

<\/a>F<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Fuchi\uff08\u7e01\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nA decorative reinforcing collar attached to the base of the tsuka.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Fudo Myo-O\uff08\u4e0d\u52d5\u660e\u738b\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nBuddhist deity, the immovable King of Light. Patron deity of swordsmen. Commonly used for horimono.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Fukusa\uff08\u88b1\u7d17\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nThe curve of the cutting edge of the kissaki.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Fukurin\uff08\u8986\u8f2a\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nA gold, silver, or bronze band attached to the tsuka and saya on both the mune side and the ha side to secure the ji-ita.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Funbari\uff08\u8e0f\u3093\u5f35\u308a\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nUsed to describe a blade when it noticeably tapers between the base of the cutting edge and the tip, or tapers noticebly in the base of the blade.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Futasuji-hi\uff08\u4e8c\u7b4b\u6a0b\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nTwo parallel grooves carved into the blade<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

<\/a>G<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Gendaito\uff08\u73fe\u4ee3\u5200\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nJapanese swords produced after 1876<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Goban-kaji\uff08\u5fa1\u756a\u935b\u51b6\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nThe swordsmiths summoned to work for the retired emperor Gotoba<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Goka-den\uff08\u4e94\u7b87\u4f1d\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nThe five original traditions of swordmaking from the koto period<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Goki shichido\uff08\u4e94\u757f\u4e03\u9053\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nThe five home provinces and seven main roads. Originally used for units of governmental administration. Currently used for classifying swordsmiths by region and style.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Gomabashi\uff08\u8b77\u6469\u7bb8\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nA horimono in the form of the ritual chopsticks used in both Shinto and Buddhist rites.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Gunome\uff08\u4e92\u306e\u76ee\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nA type of hamon that undulates in a series of semi-circles<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

<\/a>H<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Ha\uff08\u5203\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nThe hardened part of the blade along the cutting edge.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Habaki\uff08\u93ba\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nThe small metal collar (often decorated) that buffers the tsuba and secures the blade into the saya<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Habaki-moto\uff08\u93ba\u5143\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nThe part of the blade that sits under the habaki<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ha-buchi\uff08\u5203\u7e01\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nThe line that divides the ha and the ji<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ha-cho\uff08\u5203\u9577\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nThe Length of the cutting edge, determined by measuring in a straight line from the mune-machi to the tip of the kissaki. See Nagasa.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Hada\uff08\u808c\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nThe pattern in the steel skin of the blade, also called jihada<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Hadori\uff08\u5203\u53d6\u308a\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nA polishing technique which highlights the hamon, also known as kesho<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Hagire\uff08\u5203\u5207\u308c\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nA hairline crack in the blade rising up from the cutting edge<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Haitorei\uff08\u5ec3\u5200\u4ee4\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nThe law administered in Japan 1876, banning the wearing of swords in public<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Hakikake\uff08\u6383\u639b\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nSimilar to sunagashi, ashi resembling brush strokes.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Haki-omote\uff08\u4f69\u8868\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nThe side of a sword that faces outwards when worn with the cutting edge facing downwards (see tachi).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ha-machi\uff08\u5203\u533a\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nThe notch where the cutting edge of the blade begins<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ha-mon\uff08\u5203\u7d0b\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nThe crystalline structure which forms along the cutting edge of a blade as a result of the hardening process<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ha-saki\uff08\u5203\u5148\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nThe cutting edge that runs from the ha-machi to the tip of the kissaki.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Hataraki\uff08\u50cd\u304d\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nThe various activities within the hamon, created during the hardening process<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ha-watari\uff08\u5203\u6e21\u308a\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nSee Nagasa<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Heian Period\uff08\u5e73\u5b89\u6642\u4ee3\uff09<\/span><\/th>\n794-1185<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Hi\uff08\u6a0b\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nA groove carved into the blade for weight decreasing or decorational purposes<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Hikae-mekugi-ana\uff08\u63a7\u3048\u76ee\u91d8\u7a74\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nA second hole close to the nakago-jiri, sometimes added for a second retaining peg.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Hira-ji\uff08\u5e73\u5730\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nThe surface area of the blade between the shinogi and the cutting edge.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Hira-dukuri\uff08\u5e73\u9020\u308a\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nA sword made without any ridgelines, flat on both sides<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Hiro-suguha\uff08\u5e83\u76f4\u5203\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nA wide suguha hamon<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Hitatsura\uff08\u7686\u713c\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nA type of hamon with tobiyaki liberally spread across the width of the blade.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Horimono\uff08\u5f6b\u308a\u7269\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nDecorative or religious blade carvings<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Hyogo-gusari Koshirae\uff08\u5175\u5eab\u9396\u62f5\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nA very durable and practical type of tachi koshirae that was popular with high-ranking samurai warriors of the late 12th Century. Hyogo-gusari koshirae ashi are constructed from chain.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

<\/a>I<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Ichimonji School\uff08\u4e00\u6587\u5b57\u6d3e\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nA 13th C. school of swordsmiths working in the Bizen tradition<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ichi-no-ashi\uff08\u4e00\u306e\u8db3\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nThe ashi-kanamono closest to the saya mouth.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ikubi kissaki\uff08\u732a\u9996\u5207\u5148\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nA stout kissaki which is shorter in length than it is wide.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Inazuma\uff08\u7a32\u59bb\uff09<\/span><\/th>\n(lit. lightning) A line of nie inside the hamon resembling lightning<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Iori-mune\uff08\u5eb5\u68df\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nA two-sided mune resembling the roof of a house<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ishiduki\uff08\u77f3\u7a81\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nThe scabbard chape attached to protect the saya-jiri.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Itame-hada\uff08\u677f\u76ee\u808c\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nA wood grain type pattern in the skin steel of the blade<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ito-maki-tachi-Koshirae\uff08\u7cf8\u5dfb\u592a\u5200\u62f5\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nA type of tachi koshirae that has the wrapping on the handle repeated on the upper part of the saya (watari-maki)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

<\/a>J<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Ji\uff08\u5730\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nThe surface area of the blade between the shinogi and the hamon.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Jifu\uff08\u5730\u6591\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nPatches of dense ji-nie<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Jifu-utsuri\uff08\u5730\u6591\u6620\u308a\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nDiscontinuous utsuri<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ji-gane\uff08\u5730\u91d1\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nThe steel of a constructed blade<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ji-hada\uff08\u5730\u808c\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nThe surface area of the blade between the hamon and the shinogi, see hada<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ji-ita\uff08\u5730\u677f\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nA thin plate of gilded or carved metal applied to the saya and tsuka and fixed in place by the fukurin.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ji-nie\uff08\u5730\u6cb8\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nNie in the ji<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ji-tetsu\uff08\u5730\u9244\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nSee hada and jigane<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Juka-choji\uff08\u91cd\u82b1\u4e01\u5b50\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nMultiple grouped choji pattern<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

<\/a>K<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Kabuto-gane\uff08\u515c\u91d1\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nA pommel cap for the tsuka.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kaen\uff08\u706b\u7114\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nA type boshi that resembles burning flames<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kaeri\uff08\u8fd4\u308a\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nThe part of the boshi that turns back towards the tang, along the mune<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kaeri-duno\uff08\u8fd4\u308a\u89d2\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nA small hook on the saya to stop the saya coming out of the belt.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kaiken\uff08\u61d0\u5263\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nA small concealable dagger<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kaki-toshi\uff08\u63bb\u901a\u3057\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nA groove that ends by tapering within the tang<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kaki-nagashi\uff08\u63bb\u6d41\u3057\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nA type of groove that continues through to the end of the tang<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kaku-tome\uff08\u89d2\u6b62\u3081\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nA groove end that is square, usually stops just before the habaki<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kamakura Period\uff08\u938c\u5009\u6642\u4ee3\uff09<\/span><\/th>\n1185-1333<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kanbun Shinto\uff08\u5bdb\u6587\u65b0\u5200\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nBlades made around the Kanbun era 1661-1673<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kanitsume\uff08\u87f9\u722a\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nA type of gunome resembling crabs claws<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kanmuri-otoshi-dukuri\uff08\u51a0\u843d\u3068\u3057\u9020\u308a\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nThe backridge of the blade is beveled like a naginata<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kara-tsuba\uff08\u5510\u9414\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nOriginally Chinese style formal tsuba for kara-tachi.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kasane\uff08\u91cd\u306d\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nThe thickness of the blade<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kashira\uff08\u982d\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nA decorative pommel attached to reinforce the end of the tsuka.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kata-ochi gunome\uff08\u7247\u843d\u4e92\u306e\u76ee\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nFlat topped gunome that slant in the same direction like saw teeth<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Katana\uff08\u5200\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nCurved blades worn with the cutting edge up, when thrust through the sash<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Katte-agari yasuri\uff08\u52dd\u624b\u4e0a\u308a\u9462\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nFile marks on the tang that slant downward to the left<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Katte-sagari yasuri\uff08\u52dd\u624b\u4e0b\u308a\u9462\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nFile marks on the tang that slant downward to the right<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kawara-gane\uff08\u74e6\u91d1\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nA small strip of metal (or horn) used to reinforce the mouth of the kogai-hitsu.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kawazu-ko choji\uff08\u86d9\u5b50\u4e01\u5b50\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nTadpole shaped choji<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kazari-tachi koshirae\uff08\u98fe\u592a\u5200\u62f5\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nRichly decorated formal tachi koshirae that were popular during the peak of the aristocratic government in the Nara and Heian eras.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kazu-uchimono\uff08\u6570\u6253\u3061\u7269\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nMass produced blades of little artistic quality<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ken\uff08\u5263\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nStraight ritual Chinese style sword, often associated with Fudo Myo-O<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Keicho era\uff08\u6176\u9577\uff09<\/span><\/th>\n1596-1615<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Keicho Shinto\uff08\u6176\u9577\u65b0\u5200\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nBlades produced around the Keicho era (1596-1615) at the start of the Shinto sword period<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kesho\uff08\u5316\u7ca7\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nSee Hadori<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kinsuji\uff08\u91d1\u7b4b\uff09<\/span><\/th>\n(Lit. Golden line) a small shiny line of nie inside the hamon<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kiriha-dukuri\uff08\u5207\u5203\u9020\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nA sword made with the shinogi close to the cutting edge<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kiri yasuri\uff08\u5207\u308a\u9462\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nFile marks on the tang that are horizontal<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kissaki\uff08\u5207\u5148\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nThe tip of the blade, from the point to the yokote<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kissaki-moroha-dukuri\uff08\u5207\u5148\u8af8\u5203\u9020\u308a\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nA blade made with a double edge in the monouchi area<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ko\uff08\u5c0f\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nPrefix, meaning small (ex. Ko-nie – small nie)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ko-ashi\uff08\u5c0f\u8db3\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nsmall ashi<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kobuse\uff08\u7532\u4f0f\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nThe most common type of blade manufacture, in which the steel used for the cutting edge is wrapped around a lower carbon steel, then hammered out into the shape of the blade<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kobushi-gata-choji\uff08\u62f3\u5f62\u4e01\u5b50\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nFist shaped choji<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ko-dachi\uff08\u5c0f\u592a\u5200\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nA small tachi<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kogai\uff08\u7b04\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nA bodkin like implement with a small scoop on the end. Used for fixing a samurai\u2019s hair and cleaning his ears.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kogai-hitsu\uff08\u7b04\u6ac3\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nThe pocket on the obverse of a saya where the kogai is kept.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kogatana\uff08\u5c0f\u5200\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nUtility knife<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Koi-guchi\uff08\u9bc9\u53e3\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nThe mouth of the saya<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ko-itame\uff08\u5c0f\u677f\u76ee\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nSmall wood grain pattern<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kojiri\uff08\u5c0f\u5c3b\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nA decorative fitting on the bottom of the saya.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ko-maru\uff08\u5c0f\u4e38\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nA type of boshi that turns back in a small smooth circular motion<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ko-nie\uff08\u5c0f\u6cb8\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nSmall nie particles<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Konuka-hada\uff08\u5c0f\u7ce0\u808c\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nA term used mainly for Hizen blades, commonly referred to as rice grain hada<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Koshi-ba\uff08\u8170\u5203\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nA flamboyant section of hamon at the base when compared to the rest of the blade<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Koshi-bi\uff08\u8170\u6a0b\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nA short type of groove carved in the blade close to the tang<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ko-shinogi\uff08\u5c0f\u93ac\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nThe part of the shinogi that runs from the yokote to the tip in the kissaki<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Koshi-no-hiraita\uff08\u8170\u306e\u958b\u3044\u305f\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nWide based undulations that slope gently, usually with choji.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Koshirae\uff08\u62f5\u3048\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nA full set of sword mountings.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Koshi-zori\uff08\u8170\u53cd\u308a\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nSwords with the deepest part of the curve near to the tang<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Koto\uff08\u53e4\u5200\uff09<\/span><\/th>\n(Old swords) Swords made prior to the Edo period<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ko-wakizashi\uff08\u5c0f\u8107\u5dee\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nA short wakizashi<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Koduka\uff08\u5c0f\u67c4\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nA term used to refer to both a decorative handle for a small utility knife and for the complete handle and knife assembled together.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Koduka-hitsu\uff08\u5c0f\u67c4\u6ac3\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nThe pocket on the reverse of the saya where the kozuka is stored.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kuchi-kanamono\uff08\u53e3\u91d1\u7269\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nA metal fitting that protects the mouth of the saya.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kuichigai-ba\uff08\u98df\u3044\u9055\u3044\u5203\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nAn over-lapping break in the hamon, common in yamato-den blades<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kuri-jiri\uff08\u6817\u5c3b\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nRound-ended type of nakago, similar to the shape of a chestnut<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kurikara\uff08\u5036\u5229\u4f3d\u7f85\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nA horimono of a dragon wrapped around a ken, a representation of Fudo Myo-O<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kurikata\uff08\u6817\u5f62\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nA nodule with a hole affixed on the outside of the saya to attach the sageo.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

<\/a>M<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Machi\uff08\u533a\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nThe notches that mark the end of the mune (mune-machi) and the end of the cutting edge (ha-machi)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Maru-dome\uff08\u4e38\u6b62\u3081\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nA carved groove end that is rounded<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Maru-mune\uff08\u4e38\u68df\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nA mune that is rounded<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Masame-hada\uff08\u67fe\u76ee\u808c\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nA straight grain pattern in the hada<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mei\uff08\u9298\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nSignature or inscription on the tang<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mekugi\uff08\u76ee\u91d8\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nThe bamboo peg used to secure the handle onto the tang<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mekugi-ana\uff08\u76ee\u91d8\u7a74\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nThe hole on the tang where the mekugi is inserted<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mekugi-nuki\uff08\u76ee\u91d8\u629c\u304d\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nA tool for removing the mekugi<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Menuki\uff08\u76ee\u8cab\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nDecorative hand grips affixed to both sides of the tsuka<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Midare-komi\uff08\u4e71\u308c\u8fbc\u307f\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nA boshi where a midare hamon continues into the kissaki<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Midare\uff08\u4e71\u308c\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nA hamon of irregular form. All hamon are midare except suguha<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Midare-utsuri\uff08\u4e71\u308c\u6620\u308a\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nirregular utsuri<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mihaba\uff08\u8eab\u5e45\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nThe width of a blade: measured from the mune to the cutting edge.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mitsu-gashira\uff08\u4e09\u30c4\u982d\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nThe place where the Shinogi meets the ko-shinogi and the yokote<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mitsu-kado\uff08\u4e09\u30c4\u89d2\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nThe point where the yokote, ha-saki, and fukura meet.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mitsu-mune\uff08\u4e09\u30c4\u68df\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nA mune with three sides<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mokume-hada\uff08\u6728\u76ee\u808c\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nA grain pattern in the hada similar to itame, but more rounded<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mune-machi\uff08\u68df\u533a\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nSee machi<\/a><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Monouchi\uff08\u7269\u6253\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nOne-third of the blade from the yokote towards the tang<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Moroha-dukuri\uff08\u8af8\u5203\u9020\u308a\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nAn asymmetrical blade with a cutting edge on both sides<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mune(Also mine)\uff08\u68df\uff08\u5cf0\uff09\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nThe back of the blade<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mu-zori\uff08\u7121\u53cd\u308a\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nA blade with no curvature<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

<\/a>N<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Nagare-hada\uff08\u6d41\u308c\u808c\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nA hada that flows along the blade like a flowing stream.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Nagasa\uff08\u9577\u3055\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nThe blade length; measured from the tip to the mune-machi<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Naginata\uff08\u8599\u5200\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nA Japanese halberd<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Nakago\uff08\u830e\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nThe tang of a blade<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Nakago-jiri\uff08\u830e\u5c3b\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nThe tip of the tang<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Nanatsu-gane\uff08\u4e03\u30c4\u91d1\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nMetal fittings used for adjusting the length of the obi-tori. There are three on the ichi-no-ashi, and four on the ni-no-ashi.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Nanbokucho Period\uff08\u5357\u5317\u671d\u6642\u4ee3\uff09<\/span><\/th>\n1333-1392<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Nashi-ji\uff08\u68a8\u5730\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nPear Skin<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Nezumi ashi\uff08\u9f20\u8db3\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nVery small ashi<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Nie\uff08\u6cb8\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nSmall martensite crystals individually visible to the naked eye<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Nie-deki\uff08\u6cb8\u51fa\u6765\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nA blade with a predominantly nie hamon<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Nihonto\uff08\u65e5\u672c\u5200\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nJapanese swords<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ni-no-ashi\uff08\u4e8c\u306e\u8db3\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nThe ashi-kanamono furthest away from the saya mouth.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Nioi\uff08\u5302\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nMartensite crystals not individually distinguishable to the naked eye. Similar to the milky way in appearance<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Nioi-deki\uff08\u5302\u51fa\u6765\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nA sword with a hamon consisting mainly of nioi<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Nioi-guchi\uff08\u5302\u53e3\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nThe dividing line between the hamon and the ji<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
No-dachi\uff08\u91ce\u592a\u5200\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nLong swords popular during the Nanbokucho period<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Notare\uff08\u6e7e\u308c\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nGently undulating hamon<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

<\/a>O<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
O\uff08\u5927\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nPrefix, denoting large (ex. O-gunome – large gunome)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Obi-tori\uff08\u5e2f\u57f7\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nLeather straps for a belt to be passed through for a tachi.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
O-busa\uff08\u5927\u623f\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nLarge rising choji<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
O-dachi\uff08\u5927\u592a\u5200\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nA tachi with a cutting edge that exceeds 3 shaku (91cm).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Omote\uff08\u8868\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nThe front side of the blade (differs between tachi and katana).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
O-seppa\uff08\u5927\u5207\u7fbd\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nLarge sized spacers (seppa) that match the shape of the tsuba.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Oshigata\uff08\u62bc\u3057\u578b\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nA rubbing taken of the tang and outline of a blade. The hamon and activities are then drawn by hand.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

<\/a>R<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
Raden\uff08\u87ba\u923f\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nMother of Pearl<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ryo-shinogi-dukuri\uff08\u4e21\u93ac\u9020\u308a\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nA shinogi on both sides.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

<\/a>S<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Sageo\uff08\u4e0b\u3052\u7dd2\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nA cord attached to the kurikata to help secure the sword in the belt.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Saka ashi\uff08\u9006\u8db3\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nSlanted ashi<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Saka choji\uff08\u9006\u4e01\u5b50\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nSlanted choji<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Saki-hada\uff08\u5148\u808c\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nWidth of the blade at the yokote<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Saki-zori\uff08\u5148\u53cd\u308a\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nWhen the curvature is deepest in the upper part of the blade<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sanbon-sugi\uff08\u4e09\u672c\u6749\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nA type of hamon that resembles three cedar trees repeated along the blade.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Saru-te\uff08\u733f\u624b\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nA ring for the attachment of a ude-nukio.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Saya\uff08\u9798\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nScabbard<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Saya-jiri\uff08\u9798\u5c3b\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nThe bottom of the outside of the saya<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Seoi-dachi\uff08\u80cc\u8ca0\u3044\u592a\u5200\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nSwords worn across the back<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Shaku\uff08\u5c3a\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nJapanese imperial form of measurement (1 shaku = 30.3cm)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Semegane\uff08\u8cac\u91d1\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nA decorated metal band that supports the saya between the ni-no-ashi and the ishizuke.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sengoku jidai\uff08\u6226\u56fd\u6642\u4ee3\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nAge of the warring states 1493-1573<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Seppa\uff08\u5207\u7fbd\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nSpacers that fit between the tsuka and the tsuba, and between the tsuba and the habaki to ensure the tsuka fits perfectly.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Shinogi\uff08\u93ac\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nThe ridge line that that runs from the yokote to the end of the nakago<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Shinogi-ji\uff08\u93ac\u5730\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nThe area between the shinogi and the mune<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Shinogi-suji\uff08\u93ac\u7b4b\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nA ridgeline that runs the from the nakago-jiri to the yokote, separating the hira-ji from the shinogi-ji.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Shinogi-dukuri\uff08\u93ac\u9020\u308a\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nA sword manufactured with the ridgeline near to the mune<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Shin-shinto\uff08\u65b0\u3005\u5200\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nSwords made between 1781 and 1868<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Shinto\uff08\u65b0\u5200\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nSwords made between 1600 and 1781<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Shirasaya\uff08\u767d\u9798\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nA plain wooden sleeping scabbard and handle to protect the blade.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Soden-Bizen\uff08\u76f8\u4f1d\u5099\u524d\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nBizen swords displaying soshu-den traits<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Soe-bi\uff08\u6dfb\u6a0b\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nA smaller carved groove that runs parallel to the large groove<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sori\uff08\u53cd\u308a\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nCurvature of the blade<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Soshu-den\uff08\u76f8\u5dde\u4f1d\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nThe tradition of swordmaking originating from the archaic Sagami province.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sudare-ba\uff08\u7c3e\u5203\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nA hamon that resembles brush strokes, or a bamboo curtain.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sugata\uff08\u59ff\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nThe shape of the blade<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Suguha\uff08\u76f4\u5203\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nA straight hamon<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sujikai yasuri\uff08\u7b4b\u9055\u9462\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nAcutely slanted file mark pattern on the nakago<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Suken\uff08\u7d20\u5263\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nAlso known as a ken, short straight ritual Chinese style sword, often associated with Fudo Myo-O<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sun\uff08\u5bf8\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nJapanese imperial form of measurement (1 sun = 3.03cm, 10 sun = 1 shaku)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sunagashi\uff08\u7802\u6d41\u3057\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nAn activity in the hamon that resembles sweeping sands<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sunnobi tanto\uff08\u5bf8\u5ef6\u77ed\u5200\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nOversized tanto<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Suriage\uff08\u78e8\u308a\u4e0a\u3052\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nBlade that has been shortened from its original length<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

<\/a>T<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Tachi\uff08\u592a\u5200\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nSwords made to be worn with the cutting edge down, suspended from the belt<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tachi-o(Haki-o)\uff08\u592a\u5200\u7dd2\uff08\u4f69\u7dd2\uff09\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nA thin, approximately three meter, cord belt that passes through the obi-tori. Used for tachi when worn during peacetime.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tachi-mei\uff08\u592a\u5200\u9298\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nA blade signed on the side of the tang that faces outward when worn with the cutting edge downward.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Taiko-gane(Mon-gane)\uff08\u592a\u9f13\u91d1\uff08\u6587\u91d1\uff09\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nA decorated metal stud used to fix the ashi-kawa. Often in the design of a clan mon.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Taiko-gawa\uff08\u592a\u9f13\u9769\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nA leather ashi-kawa strap has a round shape at the base like a taiko drum.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tamahagane\uff08\u7389\u92fc\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nJapanese steel, used for the manufacture of Japanese swords, indigenous to Japan<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tanto\uff08\u77ed\u5200\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nBlades made shorter that 30cm<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tawarabyo\uff08\u4ff5\u92f2\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nDecorative pins originally used to secure the same-gawa on old tachi.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Togariba\uff08\u5c16\u5203\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nPointed shapes protruding from the hamon<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Torii-zori\uff08\u9ce5\u5c45\u53cd\u308a\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nA blade with an even curve<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tsuba\uff08\u9354\uff08\u9414\uff09\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nA Japanese sword guard.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tsuchioki\uff08\u571f\u7f6e\u304d\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nThe clay applied to the blade before the hardening process<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tsuka\uff08\u67c4\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nThe hilt<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tsurugi\uff08\u5263\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nAlternate Japanese word for sword.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tsutsu-gane(Naga-kanamono)\uff08\u7b52\u91d1\uff08\u9577\u91d1\u7269\uff09\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nCylindrical decorative metal fittings.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tsuyusaki-gane(Shizuku-gane)\uff08\u9732\u5148\u91d1\uff08\u96eb\u91d1\uff09\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nDecorative fittings attached to the end of the ude-nukio.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

<\/a>U<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Ubu\uff08\u751f\u3076\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nOriginal, usually used when referring to the nakago.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ubu-ha\uff08\u751f\u3076\u5203\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nAn area of the cutting edge from the ha-machi that has not yet been sharpened. This is typical with new blades.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Uchi-gatana\uff08\u6253\u3061\u5200\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nBlades produced for one-handed use during the Muromachi period worn thrust through the belt with the cutting edge uppermost.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Uchi-gatana Koshirae\uff08\u6253\u3061\u5200\u62f5\u3048\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nA general term for practical sword mountings of the Sengoku era. Later, katana-koshirae.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Uchi-noke\uff08\u6253\u9664\u3051\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nSmall crescent shapes appearing like niju-ba in the ji close to the hamon.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Uchi-zori\uff08\u5185\u53cd\u308a\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nThe back of the blade curves toward the cutting edge<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ude-nuki-o(Te-nuki-o)\uff08\u8155\u629c\u304d\u7dd2\uff08\u624b\u629c\u304d\u7dd2\uff09\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nA cord for wrapping around the wrist to secure the sword in the hand.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ura\uff08\u88cf\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nThe back side of the blade<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ura-gawara\uff08\u88cf\u74e6\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nA small strip of metal, or horn, used to reinforce the mouth of the kozuka-hitsu.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Utsuri\uff08\u6620\u308a\uff09<\/span><\/th>\n(Reflection) A white misty formation that runs parallel to the hamon in the ji.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Utsushi-mono\uff08\u5199\u3057\u7269\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nCopies of past masterpieces (not to be confused with forgeries)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

<\/a>W<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
Wakizashi\uff08\u8107\u5dee\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nBlades over 30 cm in length, but shorter than 60 cm. Often a companion sword to the katana.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Watari-maki\uff08\u6e21\u5dfb\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nThe wrapping that matches the tsuka-maki on an ito-maki-tachi that runs from the koi-guchi to just past the ni-no-ashi.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

<\/a>Y<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Yagura-gane\uff08\u6ad3\u91d1\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nA ring type fitting that allows the obi-tori to be attached to the yamagata-kanamono.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Yaki-ba\uff08\u713c\u304d\u5203\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nThe hardened area of the blade<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Yaki-dashi\uff08\u713c\u304d\u51fa\u3057\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nA part of the hamon which starts off straight at the hamachi, but turns into a different hamon several centimetres along the blade<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Yaki-haba\uff08\u713c\u304d\u5e45\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nThe width of the Yakiba<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Yaki-ire\uff08\u713c\u304d\u5165\u308c\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nThe hardening process of the blade when it is heated, then quenched in water<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Yaki-otoshi\uff08\u713c\u304d\u843d\u3068\u3057\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nA hamon which starts further along the blade, about 3-5cm from the ha-machi.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Yaki-dume\uff08\u713c\u304d\u8a70\u3081\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nA type of boshi without a turn-back.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Yari\uff08\u69cd\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nA Japanese spear usually mounted on a long shaft.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Yamagata\uff08\u5c71\u5f62\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nMountain shaped<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Yamagata-kanamono\uff08\u5c71\u5f62\u91d1\u7269\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nThe mountain shaped parts of the ashi-kanamono<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Yasuri-me\uff08\u9462\u76ee\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nFile markings (on the tang)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Yo\uff08\u8449\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nAn activity in the hamon that resembles falling leaves<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Yokote\uff08\u6a2a\u624b\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nThe dividing line between the kissaki and the body of the blade (mainly on shinogi-zukuri swords)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Yoroi-doshi\uff08\u93a7\u901a\u3057\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nArmour piercing (tanto)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Yubashiri\uff08\u6e6f\u8d70\u308a\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nA concentration of nie in the ji<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

<\/a>Z<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
Zaimei\uff08\u5728\u9298\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nA blade with an original signature<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Zencho\uff08\u5168\u9577\uff09<\/span><\/th>\nThe length of the sword, determined by measuring in a straight line from the tip of the nakago to the tip of the kissaki.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\"Antique<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Antique<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Antique<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Antique<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Japanese Sword \/ Katana<\/h2>\n