Swords Buyer Guide

How to measure Japanese sword size properly

zhang 07/01/2019 0

* The nagasa is the most important specification of a sword (blade). This is considered the blade length, despite it's not the full length of the sword. The nagasa is measured in a straight line from the mune-machi (back of the blade which sits inside the habaki) to the tip of the kissaki (point). * The nakago is measured from the mune-machi to th...

THE TANG (NAKAGO) FILING MARKS (YASURIME)

zhang 02/01/2019 0

The tang (NAKAGO) is the end of the blade opposite to the point which usually contains information regarding the date, signature of the maker, owner's name, school/village, result of cutting test etc. Another distinguishing factor on various Samurai sword tangs are the filing marks. These consists of a series of straight lines that were applied by ...

How to remove the handle from a katana

zhang 26/12/2018 0

Once the mekugi (two bamboo pegs) have been removed, the tsuka (handle) is ready to be taken off. Our katana sword's handle is only fixed by the mekugi, no glue or others inside. Please draw the saya out of blade at first. With the blade tip pointed upward grasp the handle with both hands. Your right hand should be just below the tsuba (guard) and ...

The different tsuba parts

zhang 17/12/2018 0

鍔 (鐔) Tsuba glossary 当金 Ategane A metal plug placed inthe Kozuka or Kogai-ana. Also refered to as Ume ( 埋 ) 縮緬 Chirimen AA crape paper finish. 土手耳 Dote-mimi A rounded raised rim. 覆輪 Fukurin An outer rim cover on a tsuba, usually in Shakado, Gold or some other soft metal. 形 (型) Gata (Kata) This means Shape, Maru Gata is Round Shape. 平 Hir...

Common shapes of tsuba (sword guard)

zhang 14/12/2018 0

The tsuba is the guard around the handle of katana’s sword. Tsuba can be made of metals like iron, gold, copper and silver, or alloys, which can stand up to actual repetitive use in combat. Tsuba can be found in all kinds of shapes, both regular and irregular. The most common shapes of tsuba are Maru gata, Kaku gata, Shitogi and Mokko gata. Maru ...

Common Styles of Boshi

zhang 12/12/2018 0

Boshi is the hamon temper line that extends to the blade tip (kissaki) on Japanese Swords. Boshi is the hardened edge section of the tip. Swords that have not been differentially hardened do not have boshi. An ideally shaped boshi follows the rest of the hamon pattern and turns back on itself widely at the blade point, usually touching the yokote w...

How to hold a samurai katana sword correctly?

zhang 07/12/2018 1

1. Lightly align the palm root depression with the tiger's mouth above the handle ridge. 2. Grasp it gently with the radian of handle. Do not hold tightly. The front hand does not touch fuchi, and back hand does not touch kashira, and distance between two hands is 1 to 2 fingers wide, avoid rusting or wearing of metal fittings. 3. Check to see...

How to forge your own katana swords?

zhang 05/12/2018 0

1. Buy or find a piece of steel about 2 inches (5.1 cm) wide and 5 inches (1.27 m) thick, slightly over 3 feet (0.9 m) long.2. Heat steel in a furnace or open hearth. You must heat the material to a temperature close to 1600 degrees Fahrenheit (870 degrees Celsius) to forge and remove impurities. During the heating process, substances such as sulfu...