Japanese sword terminology references?

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Brian.Evans

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Is there a site or a book I can look at that can teach me about Japanese sword terminology? Parts of the blade and fittings, names and general dimensions of different sizes of blades, stuff like that. I enjoy looking at the swords you guys put up sometimes, I just wish knew what I was looking at in more detail.
 
You can also go to yakiba.com. Ed is a friend of mine and when I get moved he will only be 5 minutes away. He is VERY knowledgeable about that stuff and loves to talk about it. Don't hesitate to email or call him. If you do, tell him you heard about him from me.
 
darrin sanders said:
You can also go to yakiba.com. Ed is a friend of mine and when I get moved he will only be 5 minutes away. He is VERY knowledgeable about that stuff and loves to talk about it. Don't hesitate to email or call him. If you do, tell him you heard about him from me.
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^^^ This. Ed definitely knows what is what ... in at least two languages. Kind man of many talents.

Darrin, not moved yet? Sounds like you've got a road trip planned this weekend then? Dan said Ed was supposed to come haul his power hammer home today. Looking forward to visiting you all again in a few days. Smoker is ready to rock.
 
 
Marc, thanks for the links. Networking like Darrin suggested are why I posted here instead of just Googling.
 
Andy, me and Ed should be there between 8:30 & 9am. I'm ready to catch up and eat some sausage & smoked deer meat or whatever y'all have in mind.
 
darrin sanders said:
Andy, me and Ed should be there between 8:30 & 9am. I'm ready to catch up and eat some sausage & smoked deer meat or whatever y'all have in mind.
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You are killing me! I've never had smoked deer. I would bet it's awesome! Mouth, watering. Lol.
 
I think there is still a section in the stickys with links. Some are dead now, but others are still active. Most are already listed in this thread.

There is so much specialized terminology that it gets contradictory at times. But, the basic descriptive terms are fairly standard. Most more specific terms can be deciphered from the basic terms.

If ha is the edge and a machi is a rest/stop, the ha-machi is the stop at the edge. Thus the mune-machi would be the stop at the spine......
 
I would have to argue the remark that Nihonto terminology is contradictory. Perhaps difficult and confusing but not contradictory. These terms have been used in Japan for hundreds of years without difficulty. Any so called contradiction/confusion would likely be based on a misunderstanding of the terms by either non native speakers or the relatively inexperienced. With study and dedication the terminology used in regards to Nihonto are quite clear. A knowledge of these terms allows one to discuss Nihonto with serious collectors or students of the sword worldwide regardless of their native language.
 
Yes, I used the wrong word...confusing was the right word. Some descriptive terms in knife shapes or blade areas can get overwhelmingly confusing until you understand the basic terms.

Other confusion comes from different translations into English. A knife shape or term may be spelled several different ways, or different words used. Examples are - hocho and bocho and tsuka and zuka.

Somewhere there is a list I posted a while back of the twenty words that will help understand Japanese swords. Not all inclusive for sure, but a basic guide for the novice. I'll look for it.
 
Lol, I would agree whole heartedly with that. Learning the terminology is difficult and very confusing at first.

This is a good page for learning the parts of the sword and koshirae. It also has the correct names for the varying blade shapes. http://yakiba.com/Nomenclature.htm
 
here is the list of fifty terms. (others feel free to add to it and I'll post the final list in the stickys):

Basic blade parts:
ha or ba = edge
mune =spine
kissaki ( saki) = tip
nakago = tang
mekugi = pin or peg to hold handle on
shinogi = grind/ridge line
habaki = blade collar
tuska = handle
tsuba = guard
seppa = spacer or washer
saya = sheath
machi = shoulder
fuchi = bolster/collar
kashira = butt cap
ana = hole
Jiri = end ( as the end of the tang or sheath)
hamon = temper line ( there are hundreds of special words and descriptions referring to the hamon)
ji = blade surface or bevel ( usually refers to the area between the ha and the shinogi)

Blade items:
omote = outward/face/show/use side. Maker name is normally signed on this side
ura = inward facing or body side, personal side, hidden side. Date and other info is normally placed on this side
sugata = blade shape
sori = curvature
nagasa = length from tip to handle
haba - width
kasane - thickness
saki = width
bo-hi ( or just hi) = fuller or groove
tsukuri ( zukuri) = grind type or structure/shape of blade ( hira-tsukuri, shinogi-tsukuri, kiri-ha tsukuri,etc.)

Basic terms:
Nihonto = Japanese sword ( Nihon- Japan, To - sword
hada = the grain pattern on the blade surface.
mokume = "wood grain". It can refer to the pattern in the steel, or to mokume-gane (wood grained metal) which is a decorative metal mixture.
Mei = signature
Diasho = a set of swords. Dia is long, and sho is companion or small.
tanto = knife/dagger ( blade less than 1 foot)
wakizashi = short sword ( blade between 1 and 2 feet)
katana = long sword ( blade over 2 feet)
to = sword
ken = sword
tsukiri/zukuri = sword
Mu = none or no
Shoto = short
Ko or Sho= small
Chu = medium
O = large or long
suguha = straight
hira = flat
kiri = double beveled
kata - single beveled ( chisel grind)
maru = round
ichi = 1
ni = 2
san = 3
mai = layer
gane = metal ( steel)
togi - polishing/finishing
 
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By combining the above terms, you get hundreds of descriptions of a sword/knife.

ko-kissaki is "small tip", while o-kissaki has a long tip ( sometimes going half way down the edge, as in osoraku-tsukuri)

kata-kiri-ha tsukuri is a blade with a single bevel ( convex) on one side and a bevel with a grind/ridge line on the other.
hira-tsukuri, shinogi-tsukuri, shobu-tsukuri, etc.

suguha-hamon is a straight hamon line. choji-hamon is a "clove" shape hamon.

tsuka-maki is handle wrapping ( either the skill or the style)

nakago-Jiri is the butt of the tang...and nakago-ana is the hole in the tang.

mihaba - Mi is "body of sword" (blade) and Haba is width, thus mihaba is the width of the sword blade.
 
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Stacy,
If you like you can make a sticky of all or any of the links I have provide above and again here. All of this information and more is right there at your fingertips.
The second and third links are found under the first link.
http://yakiba.com/beginner_page.htm
http://yakiba.com/terminology.htm
http://yakiba.com/Nomenclature.htm


I made a few small corrections and additions to your list:
kishira - spelled Kashira.
Zukuri = sword structure (Shinogi-zukuri, Hira-zukuri, etc..)

omote = outward facing side(away from body). Maker name is signed on this side
ura = Inward facing side,(against body). Date and other info is placed on this side

In most instances blades are signed this way, however there are exceptions, some schools/smiths such as the Hizen Tadayoshi school were known to sign on the opposite side, even though they were still worn edge up in the Katana style. This is referred to as “Tachi mei”. This comes from older swords known as Tachi which were worn edge down, making the omote/ura sides opposite from Katana mei (worn edge up). Both still signed on the surface facing away from wearer(omote).

ji = the area between the hamon and the shinogi.
Hada or Jihada = surface grain pattern
Shinogi = ridge line seen running length wise between the ji and shinogiji.
*Note: Not seen on all blade structures, i.e.; Hira-zukuri
Shinogiji = area between the shinogi and the mune.

nagasa = length measured from the tip of sword to the mune machi in a straight line.

Mihaba = width
Kasane = Thickness

Nihon = Japanese
To = Sword
Nihonto = Japanese sword

Diasho = refers to a pair of large and small (swords or fittings)
Dai = Large
Sho = Small
Daito = Large sword
Shoto = Small sword
With swords , generally refers to Katana and Wakizashi, which have been mounted ensuite.
However, can refer to Katana and Tanto, and I suppose, though I have never seen an example Wakizashi and tanto.

tanto = knife/dagger under 1 shaku
wakizashi = short sword between 1-2 shaku
katana = long sword over 2 shaku
Shaku = Japanese unit of measure. 1 shaku = 11.93" or 30.3022cm

Ken= Straight double edged blade, generally seen as an implement of Buddhism opposed to a weapon.

PS: This might be better received if moved to the "sword discussion" forum
 
Thanks for catching the typo in kashira. I adjusted some of the definitions to make them clearer. I was not trying to make an all inclusive list, just basic terms and their rough translation in comparison to English knife and sword terms. Your links are good for those who need specific terms and their translations.
 
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