The first samurai swords were imported from China and Korea, where they were called jian (劍) or tsurugi (剣). Feudal lords fought against their rivals and enemies using these weapons. Zen Buddhism and the samurai code of honor were influential in Japan’s development of its own style of swordsmanship in the tenth century.
Katana (刀)
The most famous and widely recognized samurai sword, known for its long, curved blade and distinctive appearance.
A curved, single-edged sword with a circular or squared guard and a long grip for two hands. It was the primary weapon of the samurai from the 15th century onwards. It was worn with the edge facing upward and could be drawn quickly for fast strikes.
Wakizashi (脇差)
A shorter companion sword to the katana, often worn together as part of the daisho (paired swords).
A shorter version of the katana, usually measuring between 30 and 60 cm. It was worn as a sidearm by the samurai, often paired with the katana. It was used for close combat, ritual suicide, or as a backup weapon.
Tanto (短刀)
A shorter dagger or knife, often used by samurai for close-quarters combat or as a utility knife.
A small knife or dagger, typically with a single-edged blade of about 15 to 30 cm. It was mainly used for stabbing, but also for slashing and cutting. It was often carried by samurai, ninjas, and commoners as a self-defense weapon.
Tachi (太刀)
An older style of samurai sword, characterized by a longer blade and worn suspended edge-down.
An older style of long, curved, single-edged sword, usually measuring over 70 cm. It was the main weapon of the samurai before the katana. It was worn with the edge facing downward and suspended from a belt. It was designed for cavalry use and had a more graceful and elegant appearance than the katana.
Nodachi ( 野太刀)
A very long and heavy sword, sometimes exceeding 100 cm in blade length. Foot soldiers used it to fight against cavalry or in open fields. It required great strength and skill to wield, and it was often carried by an attendant or on a horse. It was also known as odachi (大太刀) or seoidachi (背負太刀).
Uchigatana (打刀)
Uchigatana is a type of Japanese sword, and in general, the term “sword” has been used since the Muromachi period to refer to Uchigatana.
A precursor of the katana, developed in the late Muromachi period (1336–1573) It was a curved, single-edged sword with a simple hilt and no guard. It was worn with the edge facing upward and tucked into a belt. The ashigaru (foot soldiers) and the lower-ranking samurai favored it.
Tsurugi (剣)
A double-edged sword, often associated with Japanese mythology and religious rituals.
A straight, double-edged sword, similar to the Chinese jian or the European sword. It was one of the oldest types of Japanese swords, dating back to the Yayoi period (300 BC–300 AD). It was mainly used for thrusting, but also for cutting and slashing. It was associated with the ancient gods and heroes of Japanese mythology.
Shirasaya
A plain wooden scabbard and hilt without elaborate fittings, used for storage and preservation.
A plain wooden scabbard and hilt for storing a blade. It was not intended for combat, but for preserving the blade from rust and damage. It was often used when a sword was not in use or when it was transferred from one owner to another. Some blades were never mounted in proper fittings and remained in shirasaya.
Yoroi-doshi (鎧通し)
A short sword often worn by samurai as a secondary weapon, specifically designed for armor-piercing.
A type of tanto that was designed to pierce through armor. It had a thick, wide, and triangular blade that could create a large wound. It was also known as hira-zukuri (平造り) or koshi-zori (腰反り) tanto, depending on the shape of the blade. Samurai carried it as a backup weapon or for performing seppuku (ritual suicide).
Nagamaki (長巻)
A sword with an extra-long handle, offering a two-handed grip, and a longer reach than a regular katana.
A hybrid between a sword and a polearm, consisting of a long blade (usually 60 to 120 cm) attached to a long handle (usually 60 to 90 cm). It was used for slashing and chopping, and it could also be thrown like a spear. It was popular among the samurai and the monks in the Kamakura (1185–1333) and Muromachi periods.
Shikomizue (仕込み杖)
A concealed sword hidden within a walking stick or cane, often used for surprise attacks.
A concealed sword disguised as a cane, staff, or umbrella. It was used by ninjas, spies, assassins, and travelers as a hidden weapon. It could be a straight or curved blade, and it could be detached or spring-loaded. It was also known as kiseru-zutsu (煙管筒) or jutte (十手), depending on the shape of the scabbard.
What Are Some Famous Samurai Sword Makers?
Masamune(正宗): He is widely regarded as Japan’s greatest swordsmith, who created swords and daggers in the Sōshū school. He lived in the late Kamakura to Nanboku-chō period (c. 1264–1343) and perfected the art of nie (martensitic crystals embedded in pearlite matrix). His works are rare and highly valued, such as the Honjo Masamune, a symbol of the Tokugawa shogunate.
Muramasa (村正): He was a swordsmith who founded the Muramasa school in the Muromachi period (c. 1501–1536). He was famous for his sharp and bloodthirsty blades, which were said to curse their wielders with a violent and insane temperament. The Takeda and the Ishida, who were rivals of the Tokugawa clan, favored his swords.
Yoshihara Yoshindo (吉原義人): He is a living legend and a pivotal figure in modern Japanese sword art. He is the 20th generation of the Yoshihara family, which traces its lineage back to the Kamakura period (1185–1333). He is known for his mastery of various styles and techniques, such as suguha, notare, gunome, and choji. He has made over 2,000 swords and received many awards and honors.
Gassan Sadatoshi (月山貞利): He is another living legend and the president of the All Japan Swordsmith Association. He is the 7th generation of the Gassan school, which originated in the Nara period (710–794). He is famous for his ayasugi-hada (wood grain pattern) and his revival of the koto (old sword) styles, such as tachi, tanto, and naginata. He has also made many contemporary swords with innovative designs and materials.