The 8 main types of Japanese swords
There are many different types of Japanese swords with different uses. We have decided to present the 8 main classes of Japanese swords.
Chokuto
The chokuto is a type of Japanese sword that appeared during the Kofun period (250-538) and was used until the end of the Heian period (794-1185). It is considered the ancestor of modern Japanese swords.
The design of the chokuto is very similar to that of Chinese swords of this period. It has a straight blade and a single edge. The blade is usually very narrow and has a diamond shaped cross section. The handle is usually made of wood and is covered with leather or rope. There is no guard, but there is often a hook-like protrusion to protect the hands.
Chokuto were usually made from imported metal, most often damascus or Chinese steel.
The main use of chokuto was as a weapon of war, used primarily for hand-to-hand combat. However, they were also used for more common tasks such as hunting and chopping wood.
With the advent of new forging techniques and designs, the chokuto was gradually replaced by more modern types of swords such as the katana and the wakizashi.
Tachi
The Tachi is a type of Japanese sword that was used mainly on horseback during the Kamakura period (1185-1333). It has a longer blade than the katana and is usually carried in reverse. The design of the Tachi is similar to that of modern Japanese swords, but it is generally larger and heavier.
It is often made from high quality steel and is tempered to increase the hardness of the blade. It is used mainly as a weapon of war, for fighting on horseback. Tachi are now collector's items or used for ceremonial purposes such as martial arts.
Tachi are usually displayed in museums with the blade down, as they were usually carried in an inverted sheath, i.e. with the blade up. Museums often prefer to display them in a historical manner.
Katana
The katana is a type of Japanese sword that became popular during the Edo period (1603-1868). It has a blade length of about 70 cm, a design characterised by a curved blade, a double edge, a boomerang-shaped cross-section, a wooden handle covered with leather or rope and a guard to protect the hands.
It is usually made from high quality steel, using specific forging techniques such as bending to increase the density of the blade. It is used mainly for hand-to-hand combat, ceremonies, martial arts and spiritual practices. It is displayed in museums usually with the blade up to show its shape, design and aesthetics.
Wakizashi
The Wakizashi is a type of Japanese sword that is shorter than the katana, usually less than 60 cm in blade length, and appeared during the Edo period (1603-1868). It has a similar design to the katana with a curved blade, a double edge, a boomerang-shaped cross-section, a wooden handle covered with leather or rope and a guard to protect the hands.
It is usually made using the same forging techniques as the katana. It is used as a hand weapon for hand-to-hand combat, but also as a secondary weapon for the samurai who carried it in addition to the katana. It is also used for ceremonies and martial arts.
Tanto
The Tanto is a type of short Japanese knife, usually less than 30 cm in blade length, which first appeared in the 9th century. It has a design similar to Japanese swords with a straight or slightly curved blade, a single edge, a wooden handle covered with leather or rope and a guard to protect the hands.
It is usually made using the same forging techniques as other Japanese swords. It is used as a hand weapon for hand-to-hand combat, but also as a secondary weapon for the samurai who carried it in addition to the katana or wakizashi. It is also used for ceremonies and martial arts.
Ken
The Ken is a type of Japanese sword in the form of a dagger that has both sides of its blade sharpened. A Yokote can often be seen in the centre which divides the blade in two.
It is usually made using the same forging techniques as Japanese swords. It is used as a hand weapon for hand-to-hand combat, but also as a secondary weapon for the samurai who carried it in addition to the katana or wakizashi. It is also used for ceremonies and martial arts. It has become rare because of its restricted use.
Naginata
The Naginata is a type of Japanese weapon that is similar to a halberd, it has a wooden handle and a curved blade, often in the shape of a lotus leaf, it appeared as early as the 9th century. It is usually made with forging techniques similar to Japanese swords.
It is used mainly as a melee weapon for long distance fighting, and was used mainly by female samurai and warriors. It was widely used during the Kamakura (1185-1333) and Muromachi (1336-1573) periods and became less popular with the advent of firearms. It is still used in traditional Japanese martial practices such as Kendo and Jodo.
Yari
The Yari is a type of Japanese spear that has a wooden handle and a steel blade, usually straight and pointed. It appeared as early as the 9th century. It is usually made using forging techniques similar to Japanese swords. It is used primarily as a melee weapon for long distance fighting and was used primarily by samurai and warriors for battlefield combat.
It was widely used during the Kamakura (1185-1333) and Muromachi (1336-1573) periods and became less popular with the advent of firearms. It is still used in traditional Japanese martial practices such as Sojutsu.