Ninjato Sword

The Famous Ninjato : The Ninja Sword

The Ninjato is a Japanese sword with a straight blade of about 50cm (19 in) . It was used by ninjas (shinobi) in Japan. The Ninjato is believed to have been created to make it easier for ninjas to move around and fight in close quarters, as the Katana was too long and cumbersome for their needs.

The Ninjato evolved in a completely different way from the Katana—in its shape, the way it was forged, and even in the way it was regarded by those who used it. While samurai held deep respect and spiritual value for their Katanas, ninjas saw their weapons more as practical tools rather than sacred objects.

The Ninjato can be recognized by several features:

• A straight blade with a very geometric tip.
• A guard (Tsuba) that is often square. Sometimes the sword doesn’t have a guard at all.
• A scabbard (Saya) with a pointed end, allowing it to be stuck into the ground if needed.
• A long handle (Tsuka) for better balance—and sometimes to hide small objects inside.

Have you ever wondered whether those sneaky, stealthy, sword-slashing Ninjas used katanas like legendary Samurai? It turns out that their preferred weapon of choice – the Ninjato sword (aptly named) – is strikingly similar to the katana (except for a shorter, straighter blade). Sadly, historical documents don’t lend credence to such blades. Still, these swords are worth collecting! After all, no sword is as mysterious and legendary as a Ninjato Japanese sword. 

History Shrouded in Mystery like The Legendary Shinobi

Unlike the Samurai and their katana, few historical documents prove the existence of Ninjas and Ninjato swords. That doesn’t mean it’s not real. 

Some experts say this lack of evidence could be attributed to the nature of a Ninjato’s (or, more accurately, a Shinobi’s) job, which is to engage in espionage, reconnaissance, ambush, siege & infiltration, assassination, and deception missions. 

The keyword “assassin” inadvertently brings Yamato Takeru (the son of Japan’s 12th Emperor, Emperor Keiko) to mind. Legends say Takeru disguised himself as a maiden to assassinate Kumaso chiefs in the 2nd century. However, the literature didn’t mention “Shinobi” or describe the weapon used in the assassination. So, whether ancient Japanese assassins already used a “Ninjato” or still the Chokuto (which predated the Tachi), the Ninjato’s origins remain unknown. (It’s possible the Shinobi still used a katana.)

The first “evidence” of a Ninjato sword came in 1956 in the 26-page Heischichiro Okuse booklet “Ninjutsu.” By 1964, a museum dedicated to ninjas and their weapons (the Ninja Museum of Igaryu) rose in Mie Prefecture. That popularized ninjas and their “mythical” weapon, including the Ninjato, with the first Hollywood film featuring the blade in the 1981 movie “Enter the Ninja.”  

Demystifying the Ninjato: Design and Characteristics

Because its historical accuracy is somewhat shady (lacking verifiable evidence from historical records pre-20th century), many wonder, “Is Ninjato a real sword?” 

One way to answer this is by looking at its features. Whether the Ninjato is a product of humankind’s unbridled fascination for legendary Japanese ninjato swords or its Shinobi masters perfected the art of concealment that no record of the medieval sword exists, we can still argue that the Ninjato is a beautiful sword (and deadly, too!). So, what does the Ninjato look like?

Blade

Let’s start with the Ninjato sword length. According to self-professed Ninja expert and American martial artist Stephen K. Hayes, the ninjato is short, not longer than 60 centimeters. The Ninjato sword shape is also straight, unlike the curved Tachi, Katana, and Wakizashi. Hence, it bears a close resemblance to the ancient Chokuto.

Guard (Tsuba)

Unlike the katana with an ornate, circular (sometimes oval tsuba, the Ninjato features a simple yet oversized square or rectangular guard. Some believe the larger tsuba allowed Ninjas to extend their normal vertical reach by stepping on the guard with the sword propped against a wall (like a ladder step).  

Construction

Hayes and other “Ninjato” experts say Shinobis crafted their swords themselves (unlike the Samurai who commission a licensed katana-kaji or swordsmith to create their swords). It helps explain why Ninjato swords have straight, short blades. (Some believe Ninjas observed a different swordsmithing process, utilizing readily available materials to give rise to the Ninjato’s unique characteristics.)

Other Features

Some say the Ninjato’s scabbard or saya is unusually longer than the blade, allowing Ninjas to conceal poisons, secret documents, and other sneaky trade items in the space between the Ninjato tip and the Saya edge. 

The Ninjato in Combat

While the Ninjato is useful in cutting attacks, it has other uses, often related to the Ninja’s inherent “job description.” 

• Stealth attacks – Its small size makes the Ninjato easy to conceal, allowing Shinobi to ambush opponents.

• Close-quarters combat – Wielding a katana in tight spaces is challenging (that’s why Samurai warriors use the Wakizashi in such situations). The Ninjato’s short and straight blade allows for exceptional maneuverability in close quarters.

• Deception and diversion – The Ninjato’s short blade can be mistaken for a broken katana, allowing Ninjas to exploit the deception and deliver a fatal strike.

• Defensive techniques – The saya and square tsuba are perfect for blocking sword strikes or even tripping an opponent.

How the Ninjato Stacks Up Against the Katana

Any discussion of a Japanese sword, historical or not, often merits comparing it with Japan’s most iconic blade—the katana! So, what is the difference between katana vs ninjato? Let’s take a look.

The Ninjato sword is always a fascinating (sometimes polarizing) subject. Like other Japanese swords, it blends history, myth, and pop culture. It doesn’t matter if Ninjato is a historically accurate Japanese sword. What matters is that this blade continues to capture the imagination of martial artists and fans of Japanese history. Our authentic Ninjato sword collection should satisfy your yearnings for this fabled sword.