PARTS OF A KATANA SKIN

The wrapping then goes through the kashira forming the final knot. The tsuka-ito normally forms a knot on one side of the tsuka (handle). Makidome - Makidome is the last process of wrapping the tsuka-ito silk around the hilt. The kashira has a tiny hole, which is important in the makidome process. The European equivalent is called pommel. Kashira - This kashira is the last part of the katana.

PARTS OF A KATANA SKIN

SameKawa - This is the ray or shark skin wrapping the handle of the sword. The tsukaito is created from silk or cotton, and sometimes leather. ITO - The tsuka-ito is the wrapping of the tsuka (handle). These ornaments are meant to fit into the palm to increase the grip. Most of the time they are depicting animals or mythological creatures, such as dragons. Menuki - The menuki are small decorative sculptures. When the sword gets impacted by a strike the mekugi should not break. Flexibility of this component is very important. Mekugi - These are the small pegs that fix the swords tang (nakago) underneath the hilt. This ornament often features nature motives. There are a lot of awesome designs for the guards from lyuesword.įuchi- The fuchi is the collar between the guard and the handle of the sword. Furthermore, it is quite common to decorate the tsuba. In general, the tsuba is round and square. Tsuba - The tsuba is the guard of the sword. Seppa - These tiny metal pieces are located on both sides of the guard (tsuba). They support the stability of the sword during its storage in the scabbard. Although this part is quite small they serve a very important function. Habaki - This is the metal collar located at the base of the blade. The tsuka represents the handle of the sword.

The tsuka is the other main part of the katana. It is measured in a straight line from the kissaki (point) to the habaki (metal collar) The nagasa indicates the length of the blade. Nagasa - The nagasa is just a measurement of a specific property. Kissaki - The kissaki is the point of the blade. Only differentially hardened katanas have a temper line. On some katana types, the tip of the blade is rather used for slicing instead of thrusting.īoshi - The Boshi is the temper line of the kissaki. Most katanas have a yokote although there are some exceptions. Yokote - The Yokote is the dividing line between the kissaki (point) and the body of the blade. Shinogi-Ji - The Shinogi-Ji is the area between the shinogi and the mune (back). Ji - This is the part of the sword between the ridge (shinogi) and the temper line (hamon).

(Blades that do not have a shinogi are called Hira-Zukuri.) At this line the blade transitions from the angled portion of the cutting edge to the flat section from the back of the sword. Typically it is closer to the back (mune) than to the cutting edge (hasaki). Shinogi - The shinogi is the ridge running along the the sword. By differentially tempering a sword a line is created that separates the part of the sword that was covered in clay and the uncovered part. Hamon - The hamon line is a side-effect of clay tempering the blade. Like the fuller of a medieval sword, its primary function is to reduce the weight of the sword. Hi (Bo-hi) - The hi is a groove carved into the blade. Opposite of a sharp edge used for cutting it is the blunt back edge of the blade. Mune - The mune is exactly the opposite of the hasaki. Hasaki - also called Ha, is the tempered cutting edge of the blade. Mei - Signature of the dealer, usually on the Nakago (shaft). Nakago - The nakago is the tang of the sword, which is hidden underneath the handle. Obviously, the blade is the most important component of a sword.

Parts of a katana