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Sword Collectors And Practitioners Glossary Of Terms

This glossary is intended to provide a basic vocabulary to beginning sword collectors and practitioners. Terms are listed alphabetically

Aikuchi : A type of Tanto, a subgroup, without a Tsuba or Kurikata.

Batto : The drawing of a sword for action/combat.

Bokken : A wooden Katana used for practice in class.

Bo-Hi : Sword grooves. Many different types. Used either for decoration or to cover up flaws in the sword. Sometimes called a "blood-groove".

Bonji : Buddhist Sanskrit characters on a sword, usually representing a deity or prayer.

Boshi : The continuation of the Hamon through and around the Kissaki. Many different types. An important characteristic in Kantei.

Bu Jin: "People of the Samurai Spirit." A philosophy of honor, respect, and contemplation of life's mysteries developed in both women and men, and the people who lived by the samurai code.

Budo: Martial ways. The way of the warrior.

Bugei: The military arts, including the use of the sword.

Buke: Military man; Samurai.

Bukuro: Bag. As in Katana-Bukuro (sword bag).

Bushido: The Way of the Warrior. A code of ethics and moral principles for Samurai. The first works were by Yamaga Soko (1622-85) in Bukyo (The Warrior Creed) and Shido (The Warrior's Way).

Chiburi: The act of slinging blood off the blade before re-scabbarding.

Choji: A clove-shaped type of Hamon with numerous varieties and styles.

Choji Oil: Traditional oil used to clean a sword blade.

Chokuto: Prehistoric straight single edge sword, often found in burial mound. Very rare.

Daisho: A matched pair of long and short swords. Literally "big/small".

Daito: Long sword; Katana.

Do: 1. The way. 2. The mid-section target in Kendo (stomach).

Fuchi: Tsuka collar resting before the seppa. Usually matched to the Kashira as a set.

Fukure: A type of sword flaw where air pockets have created a dark blemish. Sometimes accompanied by a Ware.

Gendai: Blades made post-WWII through today.

Gimei: A false signature on a blade. Usually a copy of a famous smith to increase the sword's value.

Gokaden: The 5 traditional school of swordsmithing during the Koto period.

Gunome: A wavy type of Hamon with regular and irregular peaks. Many varieties.

Ha: The cutting edge of the sword; The sharp edge.

Ha-machi: The notch where the Ha descends into the Nakago. This notch is used to set the Habaki in place. Is moved up when the blade is shortened.

Habaki: One or two piece blade collar around the Nakago, above the tsuba, used to secure the blade into the scabbard. Sets securely into the notches of the Ha and Mune-Machi's. Made from a variety of metals, usually copper, and sometimes gold-plated.

Hachimaki: Like a bandana. A long piece of cloth wrapped around the head to keep out sweat during fighting or training.

Hada: The grain in the sword produced by the method of hammering and folding the steel during forging. Many varieties, often associated with specific schools. An important characteristic in Kantei.

Hadari: Left. As in left-hand side.

Hakama: Baggy pants used by the Japanese.

Hako: A box-type of Hamon. Numerous varieties.

Hamadatsu: Also called Kwaiken. A small woman's knife, usually fully tempered, used for protection and Jigai.

Hamidashi: A shorter Wakizashi or larger Tanto with a smaller guard. Often Hira-Zukuri in shape.

Hamon: Heat temper line the outlines the Yakiba. An endless variety of types and shapes often associated with certain schools. Originally mostly straight in design, then becoming more wavy and elaborate as time passed. A vital component of Kantei.

Hara-Kiri: The name of the lateral cut across the belly used during Seppeku. Often mistaken for Seppeku itself.

Hira-Zukuri: A type of Sugata with no Shinogi or Yokote: a flat surface. Often seen in Tanto's and smaller Wakizashi's.

Horimono: Engraving on blades. Like in Bo-hi, sometimes used to cover up flaws.

Iaido (Iai-jitsu): The art of drawing the sword. The art of the "fast-draw".

Ito (Tsuka-Ito): Cotton or Silk braid used to wrap the Tsuka over the Same.

Ji: The area of the blade between the Ha and Shinogi.

Jigai: Suicide by cutting your own throat. Often done by disgraced women.

Kai-Gunto: During WWII, a type of Naval sword.

Kamae: Sword Stance. Several varieties, varied amongst schools and styles. Sometimes spelled Gamae.

Kanji: Chinese written characters used by the Japanese.

Kantei: Sword appraisal and study. Being able to judge a sword by the various characteristics attributed to it.

Kashira: End cap of the Tsuka held on by the Ito; pommel. Usually matched to the Fuchi as a set. Called a kabuto-gane on Military blades and some Tachi.

Katana: Long sword; Daito. Evolved from the Tachi for foot & close-quarters combat.

Katana-Kake: Sword stand/rack . Called Tachi-Kake for Tachi stands.

Keiko: Practice battle; Scrimmage.

Ken: "Sword". Often used to refer to the double-edged long swords of ancient Japan.

Kendo: The art of fencing using Shinai. Equivalent to European fencing in rules & scoring. Originally used as a supplement to Kenjitsu & Iai-jitsu.

Kenjitsu: The art of combative swordsmanship once the sword has been unsheathed.

Kenshi: An expert swordsman.

Kissaki: The point of the blade. Several varieties depending on it's Fukura and Yokote.

Kizu: Sword Flaws. Numerous types.

Kogai: Hair arranger fitted in the Saya pocket opposite of the Kozuka on some Wakizashi's and Tanto's.

Koi-Guchi: Opening of the Saya. "Mouth" of the Saya.

Kojiri: End piece on the Saya; Butt cap. Sometimes made of buffalo horn or metal.

Kore: Swordsmith Kanji meaning "this" as when matched with Saku Kore "Made This". As in "Kane Nori Saku Kore"; "Kane Nori Made This".

Koshirae: Sword mountings including Saya, Tsuka, and all fittings.

Koto: "Old Sword" period. From 900AD to around 1530AD

Kozuka: Small utility knife fitted into the saya pocket of some Wakizashi's and Tanto's.

Kurikata: Knob on the Omote side of the Saya with a hole for the Sageo to go through.

Mei: Signature. Usually of the swordsmith. Usually on the Omote side of the Katana. On the opposite side for the Tachi. Sometimes faked (Gimei) to increase value.

Mekugi: Bamboo peg used to secure Tsuka to Nakago.

Mekugi-Ana: Hole for the Mekugi.

Menuki: Decorative pieces fitted above the Same and under the Ito on the Tsuka to enhance grip on the sword. Can be placed in various positions. Sometimes used as currency.

Migi: Right. As in the right side.

Mune: Spine of the sword. Usually beveled. Several varieties.

Mune-Machi: Notch where the Mune ends and descends into the Nakago. Used to set the Habaki in place. Can be moved up when shortening a sword.

Nagasa: The length of the blade from Mune-machi to the end of the Kissaki.

Naginata: Short sword blade on long shaft/pole; Halberd. Many varieties.

Nakago: Unseen extension of the blade under the Tsuka; Tang. Many varieties and characteristics. Holds the Mei and Mekigi-ana. It's rust and condition is a vital characteristic in Kantei.

Nakago-Jiri: End of the Nakago. Many varieties.

No-Shu: The condensed Kanji on a sword meaning "Mino Province".

Notare: A wavy type of hamon; a swell. Many varieties. Like in between Sugu(ha) and Gunome.

Obi: Silk sash used to hold Kimono, Haori, and sword in place at the waist.

Omote: Side of the sword AWAY from the body when worn. The Signature side. Opposite of the Ura. Also considered the FRONT of the sword. Opposite on Tachi.

Origami: Certificate of appraisal for a sword.

Oshigata: Rubbing taken of the Mei and the Nakago. Used for Kantei.

Patina: Rust; The level and color of rust on the Nakago.

Ronin: Masterless Samurai, by choice or circumstance. Often considered vagrants.

Ryu: Martial traditions; School or style of martial arts.

Samé: The belly portion of stingray skin used on top of the wooden Tsuka and below the Ito to improve grip.

Sageo: Cord or Braid attached to the Kurikata of the Saya used to secure it to the Obi or Hakama when worn.

Sakazuno: Obi-hook on the Omote side of some Wakizashi and Tanto Saya.

Saku: Kanji character used after a maker's name. Literally means "Made" or "Made this". As in "Kane Nori Saku". Sometimes combined with Kore.

Saya: Scabbard for the sword.

Saya-Ate: Scabbard striking. Hitting one's own scabbard against another's. Considered a grave insult worthy of dueling to the death.

Seiza: Respectful/Formal kneeling position; considered non-threatening in social situations.

Seppa: A pair of washers used between the Habaki and Tsuba and Tsuba and Fuchi. Many varieties, sizes and widths.

Seppeku: The ritual act of taking one's own life by using a Hara-Kiri cut to slice one's stomach open from left to right, then finishing with an upward turn. Usually accompanied by a Kaishuken, or Second, who would behead the man after to relieve suffering or if he should falter, to save honor. Usually performed with a purified Wakizashi or Tanto in Shirasaya.

Shikomi-Zue: Cane sword. Often called a Zatoichi.

Shinai: Bamboo practice sword.

Shin-Gunto: WWII Army sword in military mounts.

Shinogi: The straight ridge line on either side of the blade from the Mune to the beveled Ha.

Shinogi-Zukuri: The most common type of Sugata in all periods after Heian. It is characterized by a Shinogi and Yokote.

Shin-Shinto: Literally "New New Sword" period. Swords made after the Shinto period from about 1868-1926AD.

Shinto: Literally "New Sword" period. Between Koto and Shin-Shinto periods; about 1530-1867AD.

Shira-Saya: Plain, natural wood scabbard and Tsuka used to store a blade and Habaki when not in Koshirae.

Shobu-Zukuri: A Sugata type similar to Shinogi-Zukuri except that it has no Yokote. Found most often in the Muromachi period, mostly on Tanto and Wakizashi.

Shoto: Short sword; Wakizashi.

Showa-to: Blades produced from 1926 through 1945.

Sori: Curve. Many varieties.

Suburi: A practice/warm-up exercise with the Suburito involving leaping forward and back in time with striking with the suburito.

Suburito: Large, heavy wooden sword used for sword training. Rumored to be first created by Miyamoto Musashi from a boat oar before a duel.

Sugata: Shape of the blade. Overall shape of blade, many varieties. An important characteristic in Kantei.

Sugu(ha): Straight Hamon. Sometimes called Suguba or Suguha. Many varieties. Used mainly during Koto times.

Suriage: A blade that has been shortened; a blade that has had it's Nakago, Mune and Ha-Machi's altered to shorten the blade. Can greatly decrease the value of the blade.

Tachi: 1. A long sword usually over 27 inches with a great curve. Has it's own unique types, shapes, fittings, & history. Used primarily by warriors on horseback to cut down the enemy from above. 2. Standing sword techniques, as in Tachi-waza.

Tameshigiri: Cutting test for a sword done on Bamboo, Tatami or even condemned criminals. Sometimes tested by professionals who record the event on the Nakago.

Tanto: Dagger, usually under 10 inches. Many varieties and shapes.

Togi: Professional sword polisher.

Tsuba: Hand guard for a sword. Many varieties and schools, often appraised separately from the rest of the blade.

Tsuka: Wood handle of the sword covered by Same and Ito.

Tsuka-Maki: The art of wrapping the Tsuka with Ito. Several styles.

Ubu: An unaltered (not shortened) sword or Nakago.

Uchiko: Powder used to remove acid from the sword blade when cleaning.

Ura: The side of the Katana facing the body when worn. Opposite of the Omote. Often considered the BACK of the sword. Opposite for a Tachi.

Wakizashi: Medium length sword around 15 inches usually worn in conjunction with the Katana. Also called Shoto Not removed, as the Katana is, during formal meetings.

Ware: Stress crack. A type of flaw, usually accompanied by a Fukure, forming a long crack along the blade. Can be considered FATAL and render the blade worthless.

Watari-Kashi: A samurai hired on a temporary basis. Considered above Ronin.

Waza: Techniques or system of techniques. Sword forms; Kata.

Yakiba: The Tempered surface along the edge of the blade between the Ha and Hamon. Outlined by the Hamon.

Yari: Spear.

Yasurime: File Marks on the Nakago used to grip the Tsuka for security. Many types and varieties. Often disappears from older blades, obscured by the Patina (rust).

Yokote: Demarcation line separating the blade from the beginning of the Kissaki.