Understanding The Parts Of A Katana Updated for 2025

Updated: April 29, 2025

The katana is a traditional Japanese sword that is renowned for its sharpness and strength. It is a curved, single-edged blade that was used by the samurai of feudal Japan. Although the katana is a single weapon, it is made up of several different parts. To understand the katana, it is important to know the different parts that make it up.

The katana consists of three main parts: the blade, the tsuka, and the tsuba. The blade is the most important part of the katana and is made from high-carbon steel. It is usually curved and has a single edge, although there are some variations that have two edges. The tsuka is the handle of the katana and is usually made from wood, ray skin, or leather. It is wrapped with a cord called the tsuka-ito to provide a secure grip. The tsuba is the guard of the katana and is usually made of iron. It is designed to protect the user’s hands from the blade.

The katana also has several other parts, such as the habaki, the seppa, the mekugi, and the saya. The habaki is a metal collar that is used to secure the blade to the tsuka. The seppa are two metal washers that are used to secure the tsuba to the tsuka. The mekugi is a small pin that is used to secure the blade to the tsuka. The saya is the scabbard of the katana and is usually made of wood and covered with lacquer.

The katana is a complex weapon that is made up of several different parts. Knowing the different parts of the katana can help you understand the weapon and appreciate its beauty.