PARTS OF A KATANA HOW TO

KOIGUCHI ITO – This is the rope wrapping around the “ saya” in case you want to carry your katana on your shoulder, instead of a purse! It is in the image above. Usually, the “ saya” is measured in accordance with a finished blade, at least in the case of ancient Japanese bladesmithing system. If your sword is custom made, then the scabbard will be specifically measured and designed to fit the blade seamlessly. SAYA – This is the sheath, made from wood or plastic, to keep the blade securely tucked on your waist, or on your back. You wouldn’t believe how easy it is to cut yourself deeply with just a tiny, unfortunate brush. Not only to prevent the steel from rusting but for minimizing any risk of accidents, as well. When I placed my katana on decor, I always kept it inside the sheath. Otherwise, it protects the blade against oxidation and rust. The sheath is useful for transporting and carrying the sword. Despite having so much artistic value, a katana doesn’t sacrifice efficiency for beauty. It isn’t that complicated, you just need to remember that every part of the katana handle serves some important functionality. That covers the construction of a handle. Most of the work (80%) goes into transforming a bunch of scrap metal into a solid piece of layered steel… And then into a deadly weapon. The blade can be used to cut, slash, slice, and impale. This is the main functional part of the sword, and the most deadly. There are 15-20 unique nouns specifically used to refer to the different parts of the katana blade. But what makes the katana so amazing is the level of detail and attention given by the swordsmith to each of these elements. Most non-Japanese swords are comprised out of these four as well. Generally speaking, a samurai comprises of: This will help us understand where to locate every little sub-part. We can decompose the sword into four major functional components.

PARTS OF A KATANA HOW TO

What are the essential katana parts and components? How were they made? What mysteries do they hold? What is their purpose? How to Disassemble a Katana Let’s break down and explore the anatomy of a samurai sword. In fact, I want to take you on that journey right now. Just imagine taking a real, authentic katana and striping it down bare, to its individual components, to study and understand every bit. There is a considerable effort, skill, planning, and craftsmanship invested in every little detail of the sword, from blade tip to the pommel.

I was shocked to learn that it takes months to produce a katana, from start to finish. I have seen loads of documentaries about Japanese sword-smiths, and it was impressive to discover how much time and energy they devote to their craft. The turbulent, war-ridden past of Japanese history brought forth and constantly improved this sword. From the time of its inception to the modern-day, this item remains a symbol of the Japanese warrior spirit. Why Write about Katana Parts and Elements?īecause it is such an iconic and well-made sword, it takes decades to master the craft. It is ridiculous how much you can understand about katana anatomy, so and I wrote this article to inform you about the basic samurai sword parts.Īlready familiar with katana components? If you are, then this samurai sword guide provides all the groundwork that a beginner user needs, as well as a thoroughly researched list of the best Japanese swords on the market. But did you ever wonder what are the basic katana parts? How are they put together? I once stripped down my sword to examine its individual elements. The katana is simultaneously a work of art and an instrument of death.

Parts of a katana