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A famous samurai expert in katana (shinken) swordfighting, Miyamoto Musashi is one of Japan’s most important Kenshi (grand masters of ken-jutsu), whose exploits have inspired...

In traditional Japanese sword making, the kashira is a part of the katana located at the end of the hilt (tsuka), opposite the tsuba (guard). The...

The sageo of a katana is a cord that is used to secure the sword to the scabbard (saya) and to carry or hang it...

In traditional Japanese sword making, the kurigata is a part of the katana (tsuka) handle that is used to attach the saya (scabbard) of the...

The mekugi is a small peg made of bamboo or wood that is used to attach the sword blade to the hilt (tsuka). The mekugi is...

The menuki is a decorative element placed on the handle (tsuka) of a katana or other Japanese sword. The menuki is usually a small ornament...

The nakago of a katana is the tang, the part of the blade that extends into the hilt. It is an integral part of the...

The mune is the back or spine of the blade of a katana or other Japanese sword. It runs along the centerline of the blade, opposite...

The nagasa of a katana refers to the length of the blade, measured from the tip of the blade (kissaki) to the notch at the...

The Samegawa of a katana is the traditional wrapping material made from shark or ray skin. It is wrapped around the tsuka (handle) of the...

The saya is the scabbard of the katana, the traditional Japanese sword. The saya serves as a protective sheath for the katana blade when not...

The seppa is a small metal spacer used on both sides of the tsuba (handguard) of a katana. It serves as a buffer between the...