11 Main Types of Japanese Swords

Few weapons can capture people’s imaginations as vividly as Japanese swords, which are steeped in legend and made more colorful by a band of craftspeople and artisans who spent their lifetimes perfecting the art of Japanese swordmaking. From rustic yet equally deadly ancient Japanese swords to training blades and ceremonial (part of the military officer’s uniform) WW2 Japanese swords, these Nihonto are a marvel of human design and ingenuity and a testament to the Japanese people’s discipline, honor, spirituality, and quest for perfection.

Join us in exploring the 8 main types of Japanese swords, including their unique characteristics and contribution to Japanese sword art, culture, and history. We’ll also dive into 3 bladed weapons that many consider “swords” but are a different classification.

1. Chokuto: Straight Sword

Chokuto swords by Uploadalt on Wikimedia.

Blade Length: 2 variants: small (up to 60 centimeters) and medium (61 to 95 centimeters)
Blade Shape: Straight
Edge Type: Single
Handle Type: One-handed
Period: Kofun (300-538 AD) until mid-Heian
Uses: Warfare, slashing, thrusting, status symbol, ceremonial

2. Tachi: Long Sword

A 12th century Tachi by 東京国立博物館 on Wikimedia.

Blade Length: 61 to 95 centimeters
Blade Shape: Curved
Edge Type: Single
Handle Type: Two-handed
Period: From mid-Heian to Edo
Uses: Warfare, slashing, dueling, fencing, martial arts, warfare, ceremonial, status symbol

3. Katana (Uchigatana): Striking Sword

A katana by Kakidai on Wikimedia.

Blade Length: 61 to 80 centimeters
Blade Shape: Curved
Edge Type: Single
Handle Type: Two-handed
Period: From early Kamakura to present
Uses: Warfare, slashing, thrusting, dueling, fencing, martial arts, status symbol, rituals, ceremonial

4. Wakizashi: Side-inserted Sword

A Sadamune wakizashi by Kakidai on Wikimedia.

Blade Length: 30 to 60 centimeters
Blade Shape: Curved
Edge Type: Single
Handle Type: One-handed
Period: Muromachi to present
Uses: Ceremonial, warfare, martial arts, slashing, thrusting, status symbol, dueling, fencing

5. Tanto: Short Blade

Sadamune tanto by Daderot on Wikimedia.

Blade Length: 15 to 30 centimeters
Blade Shape: Straight or slightly curved
Edge Type: Single or double
Handle Type: One-handed
Period: Heian to present
Uses: Daily utility tasks, ceremonial, status symbol, warfare, slashing, stabbing, fencing, dueling, self-defense

6. Ken (Tsurugi): Sword

A Tsurugi sword by SLIMHANNYA on Wikimedia.

Blade Length: 61 to 100 centimeters
Blade Shape: Straight
Edge Type: Double
Handle Type: One-handed
Period: 1000 BC (most likely during the Yayoi Period of 200 BC) to present
Uses: Warfare, ceremonial, status symbol, rituals, thrusting

7. Kodachi: Small Tachi

A 13th-century kodachi by Artanisen on Wikimedia.

The Tachi was one of the most legendary Japanese swords, capable of slashing opponents where the Uchigatana couldn’t. However, it deserved a companion like the Wakizashi to the Katana. The answer? The Kodachi!

People who don’t know different Japanese swords might mistake the Kodachi for the Wakizashi. However, master swordsmiths often consider the Samurai’s height or their katana’s length to determine the ideal length of the Wakizashi. On the other hand, the Kodachi has a fixed blade length.

Kodachi rose to prominence during the early Kamakura period and, while it’s been overshadowed by more famous Japanese swords, like the katana, some modern Japanese swordsmithing schools still make these blades.

Blade Length: 40 to 60 centimeters
Blade Shape: Curved
Edge Type: Single
Handle Type: One-handed
Period: Early Kamakura to present
Uses: Warfare, thrusting, slashing

8. Odachi: Large Tachi

An Odachi Masayoshi by Artanisen on Wikimedia.

The Tachi is one of the best Japanese swords of all time (with some saying it’s better than the katana). However, some Samurai consider its 95-centimeter-reach inadequate to hit farther opponents without appearing like they’re using a Naginata.

Only the brave and strong dare wield the Odachi. After all, removing a 1.5-meter blade from its saya or sheath is next to impossible (not to mention its weight). Unsurprisingly, many Odachi users carried the swords on their backs or had assistants carry them in combat.

While the Odachi saw many significant battles from the mid-Kamakura to the Sengoku periods, its heft and size transformed this once-formidable Japanese battle sword into a Kami offering.

Fun fact! The Haja-no-Ontachi is a 4.65-meter long, 75-kilogram Odachi, kept in a temperature-controlled environment at the Hanaoka Hachiman Shrine.

Blade Length: 125 to 148 centimeters
Blade Shape: Curved
Edge Type: Single
Handle Type: Two-handed
Period: Kamakura to present
Uses: Warfare, ceremonial, ritual, slashing, thrusting, anti-cavalry

Scholars are divided about the next three bladed weapons because they aren’t “technically” swords. Still, some experts consider them worthy options if you decide to buy Japanese swords.

9. Nagamaki: Long Wrapping

Shinto Era nagamaki by Samurariantiqueworld on Wikimedia.

The Nagamaki can pass off as a katana with an unusually long handle. Its most distinguishing characteristic is its handle must be as long as its blade. Hence, if a Nagamaki has a 70-centimeter blade, the samurai can expect its handle to be of equal length.

It’s like the Naginata, except with an even longer handle or shaft, which some can reach up to 2 meters. Hence, some experts don’t consider the Nagamaki a sword but a shortened polearm (although it’s nowhere as long as a Naginata’s shaft).

During the Edo Period, many Nagamaki wielders cut short the handle and turned their weapons into Katana. After all, its blade length is similar to Katana (only the handle is longer).

Blade Length: At least 60 centimeters
Blade Shape: Curved
Edge Type: Single
Handle Type: Two-handed
Period: Mid-Kamakura to Edo
Uses: Anti-cavalry, slicing, wide-sweeping

10. Naginata: Polearm

A Osafune Katsumitsu naginata by SLIMHANNYA on Wikimedia.

Blade Length: 60 to 100 centimeters
Blade Shape: Curved
Edge Type: Single
Handle Type: Two-handed shaft, 120 to 240 centimeters long
Period: Heian to present
Uses: Battering, stabbing, hooking, slicing, thrusting, sweeping attacks, cutting, martial arts

11. Yari: Spear

A Yari spear by SLIMHANNYA on Wikimedia.

Blade Length: 15 to 60 centimeters
Blade Shape: Multiple
Edge Type: Double
Handle Type: Two-handed shaft, 1 to 6 meters long
Period: Early Muromachi (although its predecessor, the Hoko yari, was from the Nara Period)
Uses: Ceremonial, police weapon, anti-cavalry, piercing

In case you’re wondering, “What are Japanese swords called?” Locals refer to them as “nihonto.”

We must reiterate that the Japanese observe different ways to classify Nihontos. We explored the main types of Japanese swords and knives according to shape and usage.

Others might classify Japanese blades by period (i.e., “Gendato” for contemporary swords and “Jokoto” for antique Japanese swords produced before 900 AD).

Then, there’s also the classification of swords by school, like Yamato, Bizen, Yamashiro, Soshu, and Mino. These “schools” or swordsmithing traditions form Japan’s Gokaden. So, if you’re wondering, “Are Japanese swords the best?”

Any blade from these 5 schools is top-notch. After all, they are very strict about their reputation, which runs all the way back to the Heian Period.