| Handmade Japanese swords, also known as | | | | Koiguchi: the mouth of the scabbard or its fitting |
| Samurai Swords or Katanas, are becoming more | | | | Kojiri: tip of the scabbard |
| popular for martial arts enthusiasts, interior | | | | Kurikata: knob with slot for attaching the Sageo |
| decorators, and collectors alike. This article will | | | | (cord) |
| cover some of the terminology you may want to | | | | Mekugi: sword pegs, typically made of bamboo |
| know about your Katana. | | | | Menuki: hilt ornaments |
| The Japanese Katana can be broken down into | | | | Sageo: cord used to tie the Saya to the belt or |
| two main categories: I) the sword blade and II) | | | | sash |
| the sword mountings. | | | | Same: rayskin used for the Tsuka (handle) |
| I) Major Parts of the Samurai Sword Blade: | | | | covering |
| Boshi: tempered line in the Kissaki (point) | | | | Saya: sword scabbard |
| Ha: cutting edge | | | | Seppa: washers or spacers between the Tsuba |
| Hada: grain in steel / pattern of fold in the steel | | | | and Koiguchi, Tsuba, and Fuchi |
| Ha-machi: notch at the beginning of the cutting | | | | Shitodome: metal fitting inside the Kurikata |
| edge | | | | Tsuba: sword guard between the handle and blade |
| Hamon: tempered pattern along the blade edge | | | | used to protect the hand |
| Hi: groove engraved on the Shinogiji | | | | Tsuka: sword handle |
| Kissaki: point of the blade | | | | Now that you know the proper names for most |
| Mei: sword smith's signature | | | | of the major parts of a Japanese Samurai Sword |
| Mekugi-ana: tand hole for the Mekugi (bamboo | | | | please see our other articles on Proper Sword |
| pegs) | | | | Care/Maintenance and the Proper way to |
| Mune: back ridge of the sword blade | | | | Disassemble/Reassemble a handmade sword. |
| Mune-machi: notch at the start of the Mune | | | | Always use extra care when handling a handmade |
| Nakago: sword tang | | | | samurai sword. Most swords of this type will have |
| Shinogi: ridgeline of the blade | | | | a sharp blade and could cause injury if proper |
| Shinogi-ji: blade flat between the Mune and Shinogi | | | | precautions are not taken. Like with most sharp |
| Yasuri-me: file marks on the Nakago | | | | objects the blade should always face away from |
| Yokote: line dividing the Kissaki from the rest of | | | | you and never at anyone else. Remember what |
| the blade | | | | your parents told you when you were young? |
| II) Major Parts of the Samurai Sword Mounts: | | | | Never run with scissors! Don't play with sharp |
| Fuchi: collar on the hilt | | | | objects! The same principals should be applied |
| Habaki: metal collar used to secure the blade into | | | | when handling a sword as well. A handmade |
| the scabbard | | | | sword is not a toy and not intended for anyone |
| Ito: silk or cotton hilt wrapping (braid) | | | | under the age of 18. Be smart and be safe. |
| Kashira: sword buttcap or Pommel | | | | |