Editing Japanese sword (section)

== Anatomy ==
[[File:Katana (common shema).png|thumb|Named parts of a ''katana'']]

=== Blade ===
[[File:Katana diagram.svg|thumb|300px|Diagram showing the parts of a Japanese sword blade in [[Transliteration|transliterated]] Japanese]]

Each blade has a unique profile, mostly dependent on the swordsmith and the construction method. The most prominent part is the middle ridge, or ''shinogi''. In the earlier picture, the examples were flat to the shinogi, then tapering to the blade edge. However, swords could narrow down to the shinogi, then narrow further to the blade edge, or even expand outward towards the shinogi then shrink to the blade edge (producing a trapezoidal shape). A flat or narrowing shinogi is called ''shinogi-hikushi'', whereas a flat blade is called a ''shinogi-takushi''.

The shinogi can be placed near the back of the blade for a longer, sharper, more fragile tip or a more moderate shinogi near the center of the blade.

The sword also has an exact tip shape, which is considered an extremely important characteristic: the tip can be long (''ōkissaki''), medium (''chūkissaki''), short (''kokissaki''), or even hooked backwards (''ikuri-ōkissaki''). In addition, whether the front edge of the tip is more curved (''fukura-tsuku'') or (relatively) straight (''fukura-kareru'') is also important.

The ''[[Commons:Category:Kissaki|kissaki]]'' (point) is not usually a "chisel-like" point, and the Western knife interpretation of a "tantō point" is rarely found on true Japanese swords; a straight, linearly sloped point has the advantage of being easy to grind, but less stabbing/piercing capabilities compared to traditional Japanese kissaki Fukura (curvature of the cutting edge of tip) types. Kissaki usually have a curved profile, and smooth three-dimensional curvature across their surface towards the edge—though they are bounded by a straight line called the ''yokote'' and have crisp definition at all their edges. While the straight tip on the "American tanto" is identical to traditional Japanese fukura, two characteristics set it apart from Japanese sword makes: The absolute lack of curve only possible with modern tools, and the use of the word "tanto" in the nomenclature of the western tribute is merely a nod to the Japanese word for knife or short sword, rather than a tip style.

Although it is not commonly known, the "chisel point" kissaki originated in Japan. Examples of such are shown in the book ''The Japanese Sword'' by Kanzan Sato. Because American bladesmiths use this design extensively it is a common misconception that the design originated in America.

A hole is punched through the tang ''[[Commons:Category:Nakago|nakago]]'', called a ''[[Commons:Category:Mekugi-ana|mekugi-ana]]''. It is used to anchor the blade using a ''[[Commons:Category:Mekugi|mekugi]]'', a small bamboo pin that is inserted into another cavity in the handle ''[[Commons:Category:Tsuka|tsuka]]'' and through the mekugi-ana, thus restricting the blade from slipping out. To remove the handle one removes the mekugi. The swordsmith's signature ''[[Commons:Category:Mei|mei]]'' is carved on the tang.<ref>[[Basil William Robinson|Robinson]], H. Russell. Japanese Arms and Armor. New York: Crown Publishers Inc., 1969</ref>
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=== Mountings ===
{{further|Japanese sword mountings}}
[[File:黒蝋色塗鞘大小拵刀装具, Sword Fittings Tsuba, Fuchigashira, Menuki, Kozuka, Kogai.jpg|thumb|300px|Sword fittings. ''Tsuba'' (top left) and ''fuchigashira'' (top right) made by Ishiguro Masayoshi in the 18th or 19th century. ''Kogai'' (middle) and ''kozuka'' (bottom) made by Yanagawa Naomasa in the 18th century, [[Edo period]]. [[Tokyo Fuji Art Museum]].]]

In Japanese, the scabbard is referred to as a ''[[Commons:Category:Saya|saya]]'', and the handguard piece, often intricately designed as an individual work of art—especially in later years of the [[Edo period]]—was called the ''[[tsuba]]''. Other aspects of the mountings [[Commons:Category:Koshirae|(''koshirae'')]], such as the ''[[Commons:Category:Menuki|menuki]]'' (decorative grip swells), ''[[Commons:Category:Habaki|habaki]]'' (blade collar and scabbard wedge), ''[[Commons:Category:Fuchi|fuchi]]'' and ''[[Commons:Category:Kashira (tsuka)|kashira]]'' (handle collar and cap), ''[[Commons:Category:Kozuka|kozuka]]'' (small utility knife handle), ''[[Commons:Category:Kogai|kogai]]'' (decorative skewer-like implement), ''[[Commons:Category:Saya|saya]]'' lacquer, and ''[[Commons:Category:Tsuka-ito|tsuka-ito]]'' (professional handle wrap, also named {{transliteration|ja|tsukamaki}}), received similar levels of artistry.
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=== Signature and date ===
[[File:脇差 固山宗兵衛宗次, Wakizashi forged by Koyama Sōbei Munetsugu 1.jpg|thumb|300px|Example of the signature (''mei'') and date chiseled on a ''[[wakizashi]]''. It is inscribed that Koyama Sōbei Munetsugu forged the sword in August [[Kōka]] 2 and Shōji Zenbei Nobutatsu engraved the blade ''[[horimono]]''. Edo period]]
The ''mei'' is the signature inscribed on to the tang of the Japanese sword. Fake signatures ("gimei") are common not only due to centuries of forgeries but potentially misleading ones that acknowledge prominent smiths and guilds, and those commissioned to a separate signer.

Sword scholars collect and study ''oshigata'', or paper tang-rubbings, taken from a blade: to identify the mei, the hilt is removed and the sword is held point side up. The mei is chiseled onto the tang on the side which traditionally faces away from the wearer's body while being worn; since the katana and wakizashi are always worn with the cutting edge up, the edge should be held to the viewer's left. The inscription will be viewed as kanji on the surface of the tang: the first two kanji represent the province; the next pair is the smith; and the last, when present, is sometimes a variation of 'made by', or, 'respectfully'.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://meiboku.info/mei/index.htm | title=Reading Japanese Signatures}}</ref> The date will be inscribed near the mei, either with the reign name; the Zodiacal Method; or those calculated from the reign of the legendary [[Emperor Jimmu]], dependent upon the period.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://meiboku.info/mei/province/index1.htm |title = Nengou – Japanese Reign Names}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thejapanesesword.com/oshigata-gallery |title=Oshigata Gallery {{pipe}} |access-date=2015-06-06 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120913135947/http://www.thejapanesesword.com/oshigata-gallery |archive-date=2012-09-13 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.japaneseswordindex.com/oshigata/index.htm |title = Oshigata of Japanese Swordsmiths of the Showa (Ww Ii) Era}}</ref>{{Clear}}

=== Length ===
[[File:朱漆大小, Daishō.jpg|thumb|300px|Two antique ''koshirae'', ''[[katana]]'' (top), ''[[wakizashi]]'' (bottom), in the form of a ''[[daishō]]'' (matched set). 19th century, [[Edo period]]. [[Tokyo National Museum]].]]
[[File:Norishige.jpg|thumb|''Tachi'' by ''Norishige'' ca. 1300 CE, made ''ō-suriage'' (greatly shortened) during the [[Edo period]] for use as a "katana" by cutting off the original tang and reforming it higher up the cutting edge.]]
What generally differentiates the different swords is their length. Japanese swords are measured in units of ''[[Shaku (unit)|shaku]]''. Since 1891, the modern Japanese shaku is approximately equal to a foot (11.93&nbsp;inches), calibrated with the meter to equal exactly 10 meters per 33 shaku (30.30&nbsp;cm).

However, the historical shaku was slightly longer (13.96&nbsp;inches or 35.45&nbsp;cm). Thus, there may sometimes be confusion about the blade lengths, depending on which shaku value is being assumed when converting to metric or U.S. customary measurements.

The three main divisions of Japanese blade length are:
* Less than 1 ''shaku'' for ''[[tantō]]'' ([[knife]] or [[dagger]]).
* Between 1 and 2 ''shaku'' for {{Nihongo|''shōtō''|小刀:しょうとう}} (''[[wakizashi]]'' or ''[[kodachi]]'').
* Greater than 2 ''shaku'' for {{Nihongo|''daitō''|大刀}} (long sword, such as ''[[katana]]'' or ''[[tachi]]'').

A blade shorter than one ''shaku'' is considered a ''tantō'' (knife). A blade longer than one ''shaku'' but less than two is considered a ''shōtō'' (short sword). The wakizashi and ''[[kodachi]]'' are in this category. The length is measured in a straight line across the back of the blade from tip to ''munemachi'' (where blade meets [[Tang (tools)|tang]]). Most blades that fall into the ''"shōtō"'' size range are ''[[wakizashi]]''. However, some ''daitō'' were designed with blades slightly shorter than 2 ''shaku''. These were called ''[[kodachi]]'' and are somewhere in between a true ''daitō'' and a ''wakizashi''. A ''shōtō'' and a ''daitō'' together are called a ''[[daishō]]'' (literally, "big-little"<ref name="books.google.com">[https://books.google.com/books?id=vFS2iT8QjqEC&pg=PA68 ''The Japanese sword'', Kanzan Satō, Kodansha International, 1983 p.68]</ref>). The ''daishō'' was the symbolic armament of the [[Edo period]] [[samurai]].

A blade longer than two ''shaku'' is considered a ''daitō'', or long sword. To qualify as a ''daitō'' the sword must have a blade longer than 2 ''shaku'' (approximately 24&nbsp;inches or 60 centimeters) in a straight line. While there is a well defined lower limit to the length of a ''daitō'', the upper limit is not well enforced; a number of modern historians, swordsmiths, etc. say that swords that are over 3 ''shaku'' in blade length are "longer than normal ''daitō''" and are usually referred to as ''[[ōdachi]]''.{{Citation needed|date=August 2015}} The word ''"daitō"'' is often used when explaining the related terms ''shōtō'' (short sword) and ''daishō'' (the set of both large and small sword). [[Miyamoto Musashi]] refers to the long sword in ''The Book of Five Rings''. He is referring to the ''katana'' in this, and refers to the ''nodachi'' and the ''odachi'' as "extra-long swords".

Before about 1500 most swords were usually worn suspended from cords on a belt, edge-down. This style is called ''jindachi-zukuri'', and ''daitō'' worn in this fashion are called ''tachi'' (average blade length of 75–80&nbsp;cm).<ref name="Gilbertson">{{cite book| last = Gilbertson| first =E.|author2=Kowaki, G. | title = The Genealogy of the Miochin Family: Armourers, Sword- smiths and Artists in Iron, Twelfth to the Eighteenth Century| publisher = Transactions and Proceedings of the Japan Society| year = 1892| location =London  }}</ref> From 1600 to 1867, more swords were worn through an ''[[obi (sash)|obi]]'' (sash), paired with a smaller blade; both worn edge-up.<ref name="WBAR">{{cite book | last = Ratti| first = Oscar |author2=Adele Westbrook| title = Secrets of the Samurai: The Martial Arts of Feudal Japan| publisher = Tuttle Publishing| year = 1991| page = 484| isbn = 978-0-8048-1684-7  }}</ref> This style is called ''buke-zukuri'', and all ''daitō'' worn in this fashion are ''katana'', averaging 70–74&nbsp;cm (2 shaku 3 sun to 2 shaku 4 sun 5 bu) in blade length. However, Japanese swords of longer lengths also existed, including lengths up to 78&nbsp;cm (2 shaku 5 sun 5 bu).

It was not simply that the swords were worn by cords on a belt, as a 'style' of sorts. Such a statement trivializes an important function of such a manner of bearing the sword.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Olivier |date=2024-01-05 |title=Japan: Wakizashi, Tachi, and Katana, the Samurai Heritage |url=https://www.olivierrobert.net/post/japan-wakizashi-tachi-and-katana-the-samurai-heritage |access-date=2025-04-05 |website=olivierrobert.net |language=en}}</ref> It was a very direct example of 'form following function.' At this point in Japanese history, much of the warfare was fought on horseback. Being so, if the sword or blade were in a more vertical position, it would be cumbersome, and awkward to draw. Suspending the sword by 'cords' allowed the sheath to be more horizontal, and far less likely to bind while drawing it in that position.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-03-23 |title=Why is katana wear and display with edge upward, Learn the reasons |url=https://romanceofmen.com/blogs/katana-info/why-is-katana-wear-and-display-with-edge-upward |access-date=2025-04-05 |website=Romance of Men}}</ref>

Abnormally long blades (longer than 3 ''shaku''), usually carried across the back, are called ''[[ōdachi]]'' or ''[[nodachi]].'' The word ''ōdachi'' is also sometimes used as a synonym for Japanese swords. ''Odachi'' means "great sword", and ''Nodachi'' translates to "field sword". These greatswords were used during war, as the longer sword gave a foot soldier a reach advantage. These swords are now illegal<ref>{{cite book |url=http://www.bushidojapaneseswords.com/SwordLawLetter.pdf |title=The Japanese Sword Law & Export/Import of Swords Into/Out of Japan |first=Guido |last=Schiller |access-date=2011-07-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929172018/http://www.bushidojapaneseswords.com/SwordLawLetter.pdf |archive-date=2011-09-29 |url-status=dead }}</ref> in Japan. Citizens are not allowed to possess an ''odachi'' unless it is for ceremonial purposes.

Here is a list of lengths for different types of blades:<ref>{{cite book | last = Stone | first = George Cameron | author-link = George Cameron Stone | title = A Glossary of the Construction, Decoration, and Use of Arms and Armor in All Countries and in All Times | orig-year = 1934 | year = 1999 | publisher = Dover Publications | location = Mineola NY | isbn = 0-486-40726-8 | page = 314| title-link = A Glossary of the Construction, Decoration, and Use of Arms and Armor in All Countries and in All Times }}</ref>
* [[Nodachi]], [[Ōdachi]], [[Jin tachi]]: 90.9&nbsp;cm and over (more than three shaku)
* [[Tachi]], [[Katana]]: over 60.6&nbsp;cm (more than two shaku)
* [[Wakizashi]]: between 30.3 and 60.6&nbsp;cm (between one and two shaku)
* [[Tantō]], [[Aikuchi]]: under 30.3&nbsp;cm (less than one shaku)

Blades whose length is next to a different classification type are described with a prefix 'O-' (for great) or 'Ko-' (for small), e.g. a Wakizashi with a length of 59&nbsp;cm is called an O-wakizashi (almost a Katana) whereas a Katana of 61&nbsp;cm is called a Ko-Katana (for small Katana; but note that a small accessory blade sometimes found in the sheath of a long sword is also a "kogatana" (小刀)<ref name="Suenaga 1975"/>).

Since 1867, restrictions and/or the deconstruction of the samurai class meant that most blades have been worn ''jindachi-zukuri'' style, like Western navy officers. Since 1953, there has been a resurgence in the ''buke-zukuri'' style, permitted only for demonstration purposes.