Roman Alphabet Kanji Category Definition
A
Ai-guchi Nomenclature
Aki Mei
Aku Manufacture
Ama Mei Litt. "heaven". A character used in proper nouns. See Mei
Amakusa Culture
Aoko Manufacture
Ashi Nomenclature
Ashi-kanamono Nomenclature
Ate-zuchi Manufacture
Awa Mei Litt. "millet". A character used in proper nouns. See Mei
Azuchi-momoyama Culture
B
Binsui Manufacture
Bizen-den Culture
Bshi Nomenclature The hamon specifically on the kissaki. See Kissaki
Bu Nomenclature
C
Chika Mei
Chikei Nomenclature
Chji Nomenclature
Ch- Nomenclature
Ch-nagura Manufacture
Chtetsu Manufacture
Daimy Culture
Daish Nomenclature
D ManufactureE
Litt. "fitting mouths"; A type of koshirae which is characterized by the absence of a guard. See Koshirae, Tsuba
Litt. respectively "bright" and "autum". A character used in proper nouns. See MeiCharred straw; Usually rice straw, combusted in a charcoal making fashion that results in "straw charcoal". Used during tanren. See Tanren, Wara
The name of the place of origin of the natural binsui polishing stones, located in Nagasaki prefecture. Also used to refer to the binsui stones. See BinsuiLitt. "blue powder"; A type of polishing compound mostly used in the final stages of the polishing of grooves.Litt. "leg"; A feature seen in the hamon; Refers to stripes of nioi running down from the hamon, perpendicular or at an angle to the edge, sometimes all the way to it, most of the time not. See Nioi, HamonLitt. "foot metal fitting"; A type of attachement fitting; Intended to secure fittings to the scabbard body, usually the Obi-tori on tachi scabbards. See Tachi, Obi-toriA type of set hammer (i.e. applied to the work and hit directly on its butt-end).
AD1573-1600 Period in japanese history. Also refered to more simply as Momoyama.
A type of polishing stone used in the shaping of a sword. Finer than kongo stone. Grit equiv. approx. #400-600. See Kongo
One of the five main traditions of sword making as popularized by the Kunzan-Kanzan school (NBTHK). Present-day Okayama. See Yamashiro, Yamato, Mino, Soshu-den(Sagami), NBTHK
A traditional unit of length measurement. Equival. to 3mm. 10 bu make 1 sun and 100 bu make 1 shaku. It is divided in 10 rin. See Shaku, Sun, Rin
Litt. respectively "near" and "parent". A character used in proper nouns. See MeiDark and short streaks of nie in the ji near the hamon. See Nie, Ji, HamonLitt. "clove"; A type of hamon pattern. Refers to long sine curves in which each circle's opening towards the edge is narrower than its diameter (it is called gunome in the case it is not narrower). See Gunome, Hamon
Litt. "middle"; Average; M-size; Often used as a prefix to modify or precize a noun, such as in chu-kissaki (average size kissaki).
A type of polishing stone used in the fine shaping of a sword; Comes after koma-nagura. See Nagura, Koma-nagura
Litt. "cast iron"; Cast steel. See Tetsu, Sentetsu, Zuku
Warlord; Feudal lord; Refers to the leaders of the individual provinces or countries that constituted Japan until its various unifications made the archipelago a single country.
Litt. "big-small"; Set of a long sword and its companion short sword; Implies a katana and a wakizashi; Popularized from the Edo period (1600-1867). See Katana, Wakizashi, Edo
Copper.
Edo Culture
F
Fuchi Nomenclature
Fud My Culture
Fuigo Manufacture
Fuji Mei Litt. "wisteria". A character used in proper nouns. See Mei
Fukai Nomenclature
Fukuoka Culture
Fumaegi Manufacture
Funbari Nomenclature
Furi ( -furi) Nomenclature
Fusa Mei Litt. "chamber". A character used in proper nouns. See MeiFusuma Nomenclature
Futs-zori Nomenclature
Fuyu Mei Litt. "winter". A character used in poper nouns. See MeiG
Gaku-mei Nomenclature
Gatsu / Getsu Culture
Gendait Culture
Gimei Nomenclature
Gin ManufactureGo Culture
G Mei
Goj Culture
Gokaden Culture
Gunome Nomenclature
AD1600-1867 Period in Japanese history. Also called the Tokugawa period because of the uninterupted reign of the Tokugawa clan throughout this period. Saw the emergence of the arts and crafts, the absence of wars, the isolation of Japan from other countries and its unification.
Metal fitting inserted at the opened end of the tsuka on katana; It usually matches the kashira in style. It is called Kabuto-gane on Tachi. See Tsuka, Kashira, Katana, Tachi, Kabuto-gane
Named cala in Vajrayana Buddhism (India), Fud My ("the enlightened king of immovability") is the most popularized of the Five Wisdom Kings of the Womb Realm. He is the destroyer of delusion and the protector of Buddhism. His immovability refers to his ability to remain unmoved by carnal temptations. Despite his fearsome appearance, his role is to aid all beings by showing them the teachings of the Buddha, leading them into self-control. Fud My is often used as a theme in horimono. See Horimono
/ Bellows.
Deep; Used mainly to describe the curvature or sometimes other irrational impressionsA place in ancient-days Bizen province; In sword making refers to a school called Fukuoka Ichimonji.
Litt. "step on wood"; A wood implement used to hold a polishing stone with one's body weight while rubbing the work on it.
Litt. "firm stand"; Refers to the trumpet-like tapering at the base of most kot tachi and sometimes on other swords. See Kot, TachiCounter for swords; One sword is pronounced "hito-furi", two swords are "futa-furi" and then the common way of counting (3->san; 4->yon;5->go; etc.).
The flap-valves installed on japanese bellows. See Fuigo
Litt. "regular curvature"; Describes a sword curvature which is even all along the length of the sword, or rather centered. See Sori, Torii-zori, Wa-zori, Saki-zori, Koshi-zori
A process of mei-reinsertion. On a sword that has had o-suriage performed, the part with the mei was cut off and re-inserted in the newly formed tang. See Mei, O-suriage
Litt. "moon"; Month. Thus the first moon, or month, "ichi-gatsu", would be January, and so forth. Used in the mei. See Mei, Ichi
AD1867-Present; Litt. "modern swords"; Period in japanese sword history. Also refers to the actual swords made during this period.
Litt. "imitation inscription"; A fake signature on the tang of a sword. Relatively common, depending on the period of manufacture. See Mei
Silver.
Five. Used in the mei. See Mei
Litt. "village"; A character used in proper nouns. Used almost exclusively for the swordsmith G Yoshihiro . See Mei
Litt. "fifth avenue"; A school of the late Heian and early Kamakura period, usually linked to that of Sanjo; Refers to a famous "fifth avenue" in the old capital of Kyoto. See SanjLitt. "five traditions"; Refers to five famous traditions in japanese sword manufacture, i.e. (see each entry) Yamato, Yamashiro, Bizen, Sshu and Mino. This approach was popularized in the 20th century.Litt. "eye between"; A type of hamon pattern. Refers to short sine curves in wich the opening of each circle towards the edge is not narrower than its diameter (it is called chji in the case it is narrower). See Hamon, Chji
Gunt Culture
H
Ha Nomenclature
Ha Culture
Habaki Nomenclature
Habuchi NomenclatureHachi Culture
Hagane Manufacture
Haguchi Manufacture
Hako-bashi Manufacture
Ha-machi Nomenclature
Hamon Nomenclature
Hara Mei Litt. "plain". A character used in proper nouns. See MeiHaru Mei Litt. "spring". A character used in proper nouns. See Mei
Ha-saki Nomenclature
Hashi Manufacture
Hazuya Manufacture
Heian Culture
Hera Manufacture
Hi Nomenclature
Hi Culture
Hide Mei
Hikaki ManufactureHira Mei Litt. "flat". A character used in proper nouns. See MeiHira-bashi Manufacture
Hira-niku Nomenclature
Hira-sen Manufacture
Hira-zukuri Nomenclature
Hiro Mei
Hisa Mei
Hi-sen Manufacture
Hi-zukuri Manufacture
Litt. "army sword"; 20th century army-issued sword. Usually not traditionally made. Some traditionally made swords were mounted in gunt mounts so as to be carried in service.
Actual cutting edge; Hardened section of a blade. See Ha-saki
School; Clan; Group
Colar tapered lengthwise and inserted up the tang against the machi. Its function is to hold the sword in its scabbard. It is usually made of copper and decorated with gold. Some are made of silver or iron. See MachiRefers to the limit where the hamon starts; Delimitation between the ji and the hamon. See Ji, Hamon
Eight. Used in the mei. See Mei
Steel. Hagane is the common usage. Originally thought to have come from ha-gane , litt. "edge-metal". Also called ktetsu. See Tetsu, Sentetsu, TamahaganeLitt. "feather mouth"; The tuyre outlet into the forge. Usually made of clay or steel.
Boxed tongs.
Notch at the junction between the tang and the ha; Where the ha starts. See Machi, Ha, Mune-machiLitt. "edge decoration"; Refers to the cloud-like mark appearing near the edge and that is the result of differential quench-hardening.
Litt. "cutting edge tip"; Actual edge of the cutting edge. See Ha
Tongs.
A type of polishing stone; Made from uchigumori stone. Used to polish the ha. See Uchigumori, HaAD794-1185 Period in japanese history. Saw the emergence of the japanese sword as we know it today.Litt. "spatula"; In sword making refers to the spatulas used when applying the yakiba-tsuchi in preparation for quenching. See Tsuchi-oki, Yakiba-tsuchi
Groove; Usually running along the shinogi-ji. See Shinogi-ji
Litt. "sun"; Day. Thus the 15th sun, or day, of the month, is pronounced "j-go nichi". Also pronounced nichi. Used in the mei. See Mei, J, GoRespect. litt. "excellence" and "England". Characters used in proper nouns. See Mei
A forge rake. Used to push and pull the coals in the forge
Flat tongs.
Litt. "plane meat"; Refers to the roundness of the ji; "Not much hira-niku" when the blade is profiled in the shape of a V; "Much hira-niku" when it is rather profiled in the shape of a U. See Ji
Litt. "plane drawknife"; A drawknife. Used to remove material on the surfaces of blades. See SenA type of sword shape which doesn't display any ridgeline. Most are tant or wakizashi. See Tant, WakizashiRespect. litt. "broad"(modern form in parenthesis) and "broad". Characters used in proper nouns. See MeiLitt. "a long time". Also read ku. A character used in proper nouns. See Mei
A groove drawknife. See Hi, Sen
The actual shaping of the sunobe into the shape of a sword; Involves drawing out the ji, the shinogi-ji, the mune and the kissaki by hand forging. See Sunobe, Ji, Shinogi-ji, Mune, Kissaki
Hch-tetsu Manufacture
Hodo Manufacture
Horimono Nomenclature
Hosoi Nomenclature
I
Ichi Culture
Ichimonji Culture
Ie Mei Litt. "house". A character used in proper nouns. See Mei
Ikubi-kissaki Nomenclature
Iori-mune Nomenclature Two-faced mune. See Mune
Itame Nomenclature
J
Ji Nomenclature
Jigane Nomenclature
Jihada Nomenclature
Jimon Nomenclature See JiJi-nie Nomenclature Agglutinations of nie in the ji. See Nie, Ji
Jinj Nomenclature
Jitsu Mei Litt. "real". A character used in proper nouns. See Mei
Jizuya Manufacture
J Culture
J Culture
Jka-chji Nomenclature A type of hamon pattern; Overlapping chji. See Chji
J-nin Culture
Jn Manufacture
Juntetsu ManufactureK
Kabuto-gane Nomenclature
Kado Mei Litt. "gate". A character used in proper nouns. See Mei
Kaeri-tsuno Nomenclature
Kage Mei
Kaji-oshi Manufacture
Kamakura Culture
Litt. "kitchen knife iron"; The traditional japanese equivalent of wrought iron; A by-product of the kera-oshi process. Hch-tetsu is used as a base material in knife and tool making for parts other than the edge. It has a relatively low carbon content and is characterized by a rough, uneven and heterogenous structure. Also called wa-tetsu. See Kera-oshi, Kera, Wa-tetsu
The actual forge where the fire is held.
Litt. "carved thing"; Engraving. Japanese swords are often decorated with engravings in bas-relief on buddhist, sanskrit or japanese themes.Slim; Narrow; Used to describe either a sword or its characteristics, such as its hamon. See Hamon
One. Used in the mei. See Mei
Litt. "character 1"; A famous school of the Kamakura period in Bizen province, present-day Okayama prefecture. See Bizen-den
Litt. "boar-neck point"; Describes a sword point which usually is as or less long than it is wide. See Kissaki
A pattern resembling wood grain. Used to describe jihada. See Jihada
Refers to the area between the hamon and the shinogi; Area where the jihada is appreciated. See Hamon, Shinogi, Jihada
/ Litt. "base metal"; Steel; Refers to the very stuff that the sword or other object is made of.Litt. "skin(texture) of base material"; Refers to the very texture of the steel made visible through proper polishing.
Normal; Refers to a characteristic that is common in a given school or tradition, such as in "width is jinjo".
A type of polishing stone; Made from Narutaki stone. Used to polish the ji. See Narutaki, Ji
Ten. Used in the mei. See Mei
Litt. "dwell"; Resides; Lives. Used in the mei in reference to the living place of the person mentioned (usually the maker). See Mei, J-nin
Litt. "dwell person"; Resident; Dweller. Used in the mei in reference to the living place of the person mentioned (usually the maker). See Mei, J
/ Fire shovel. Used to shovel the hot coals in and out of the forge.Litt. "pure iron"; Pure iron. See Tetsu
Litt. "helmet metal"; Pommel. Used specifically in regards to tachi pommels. Those on most other types of swords are called Kashira. See Tachi, Kashira
Litt. "return horn"; A tiny piece of fitting made from horn usually in the shape of a water drop and placed on the side of the scabbard at about its center lengthwise. Its purpose is to prevent the scabbard from slipping out of the obi belt when the sword is unsheathed. Those made of metal are rather called origane. See Obi, OriganeRespect. litt. "scenery" and "concurrently". Characters used in proper nouns. See MeiThe final stages of the swordsmith's work in shaping a sword. Further work on the blade will then be performed by the polisher after the swordsmith has completed kaji-oshi.AD1185-1333 Period in japanese history. Saw the golden age of japanese sword manufacture.
Kami Culture
Kanashiki Manufacture
Kanatoko Manufacture
Kane Mei
Kane Mei Litt. "wrap". A character used in proper nouns. See Mei
Kanmuri-otoshi-zukuri Nomenclature
Kasane Nomenclature
Kashira Nomenclature
Kata-kiri-ha Nomenclature
Katana Nomenclature
Kata-ochi- Nomenclature
Katsu Mei Litt. "win". A character used in proper nouns. See Mei
Kazu Mei
Kera Manufacture
Kera-oshi Manufacture
Kesho-yasuri Nomenclature
Kichi-jitsu Culture
Kin Manufacture
Kin Mei
Kinsuji Nomenclature Litt. "gold strips"; Bright streaks in the hamon. See Hamon
Kinzgan mei Nomenclature
Kissaki Nomenclature
Kitaeru ManufactureKiyo Mei Litt. "pure". A character used in proper nouns. See Mei
Ko- Nomenclature
Kbuse Manufacture
Kgai Nomenclature
Ko-gatana Nomenclature
Kojiri Nomenclature Butt-end fitting on scabbards. Also called saya-jiri. See Saya-jiri
Koma-nagura Manufacture
Kona-zumi Manufacture
Title, comparable to "sir" or "lord", used in combination with a name.
Anvil. Also called kanatoko (more common). See Kanatoko
Most common appellation for an anvil. Also called kanashiki. See KanashikiLitt. "gold". Also read kin. A character used in proper nouns. See Mei
A type of sword shape, which has a shinogi running only one third to a half of the length in a curve from the tip to the mune. See Shinogi-zukuri, ShinogiThickness of a sword at either the shinogi or the mune. See Shinogi, MuneLitt. "head"; Pommel. Used specically for katana, wakizashi and tant, and usually matches the fuchi in style. It is called Kabuto-gane on tachi. See Fuchi, Kabuto-gane, TachiLitt. "one-sided cutting edge"; A type of sword shape in which there is a ridgeline only on one side and it is nearer to the edge than to the back.Litt. "sword", "blade", knife", etc; A sword. Defined as any blade with a nagasa over two shaku (>60.6cm), and usually refering to those worn edge up and inserted in the obi belt. See Shaku, Nagasa
- Slenting on one side; Usually a prefix modifying the description of a hamon. See Hamon
Respect. litt. "harmony" and "one". Characters used in proper nouns. See MeiSponge iron; The actual product of the kera-oshi process; A lump of a mixture of wrought iron, various grades of steel and cast steel. See Kera-oshi, Zuku, sentetsu, Zuku-oshiA type of archaic low-furnace iron smelting process which produces a lump of sponge iron, a mixture of wrought iron, various grades of steel, and cast steel. See Kera, Zuku, Sentetsu, Zuku-oshi
Litt. "cosmetic filing"; Decorative filemarks; Usually applied on sword tangs and on one side of ko-gatana. See Ko-gatana
Litt. "lucky day"; An auspicious day. Used in the inscription of dates in the mei. See Mei
Gold.
Litt. "gold". Also read kane. A character used in proper nouns. See Mei
A mei inlayed in gold; Usually performed by an appraiser long after the making of the sword, but not always. See Mei
/ Point. See BoshiTo forge(v.).
Small; Often used as a prefix to modify or precize a noun, such as in ko-kissaki (small kissaki).A type of sword construction involving the shaping in U of harder steel and the inserting of softer steel in it.Implement inserted on the side of the scabbard and thought to be used in arranging the samurai hair knot and also for cleaning one's ears.
Litt. "small knife"; A pocket knife; A knife. Refers to a type of utilitarian pocket knife inserted on the side of japanese sword scabbards. They were usually of the kata-kiri-ha shape, thus having one side finely polished and the other left with kesho-yasuri. Their hilt, called kozuka, were usually highly decorated. See Kata-kiri-ha, Kessho-yasuri, Kozuka
A type of polishing stone used in the fine shaping of a sword, and more precisely to remove the marks of the chu-nagura stone. See Nagura, Chu-Nagura
Powdered charcoal.
Kong Manufacture
Kore Culture
Kore Mei
Koshi-gatana Nomenclature
Koshirae Nomenclature
Koshi-zori Nomenclature
Ktetsu Manufacture
Kot Culture
Kozuka Nomenclature
Ku Mei
Kuni Mei
Kurikata Nomenclature
Kyu / Ku CultureM
Machi Nomenclature
Maro Mei A character used in classical male names. See Mei
Masa Mei
Masame Nomenclature
Masu Mei
Matsuba-kado Nomenclature
Matsuba-saki Nomenclature
Mei Nomenclature
Mei-kiri Manufacture
Mekugi Nomenclature
Mekugi-ana Nomenclature Peg hole in the tang.Mekugi-nuki Nomenclature Specialized hammer used to push the mekugi out.
Menuki Nomenclature
Mi Nomenclature Refers to the section of the sword above the machi. See UeMichi Mei
Midare / Midare-ba Nomenclature
Midare-utsuri Nomenclature
Mihaba Nomenclature Litt. "body width"; In sword appreciation, the width of the sword.
Minamoto Mei
A type of polishing stone used in the rough shaping of a sword. Grit equiv. approx. #120-220. The roughest stone in sword polishing.
This; As in "made this". Used in the mei. See Mei
Litt. "right"(opp. of wrong). A character used in proper nouns. See Mei
Usually a shorter sword worn edge up and simply inserted in the obi belt. Uchigatana and wakizashi are koshi-gatana, technically speaking. However, koshi-gatana were often in ai-guchi mounting. These differences seem to find their origins in popular use rather than actual proper definition. See Uchigatana, Wakizashi, Ai-guchi
Mountings of a sword, incl. the scabbard, the metal fittings, the hilt, etc.Litt. "hip curvature"; Describes a sword curvature which is strongest at the base of the sword. See SoriLitt. "steel iron"; Steel. More commonly refered to as hagane. See Hagane, Tetsu, Sentetsu, Tamahagane
AD987-1596; Litt. "old swords"; Period in japanese sword history. Also refers to the actual swords made during this period.
Litt. "small hilt"; Refers to the hilt of a ko-gatana. Usually highly decorated. See Ko-gatanaLitt. "a long time". Also read hisa. A character used in proper nouns. See MeiLitt. "country" or "province" (modern form in parenthesis). A character used in proper nouns. See Mei
Litt. "marron shape"; Piece of fitting through which is inserted the sageo; Intended as a fixture to attach the sageo. See Sageo
Nine. Used in the mei. See Mei
Notch; Both notches at the junction between the tang and the sword itself. See Ha-machi, Mune-machi
Respect. litt. "correct", "prosperous", "government" and "way". Characters used in proper nouns. See MeiA pattern characterized by relatively straight, parallel lines. Used to describe Jihada. See Jihada
Litt. "pine-needle edge"; Used to describe the shape of the mune at the kissaki. See Matsuba-sakiLitt. "pine-needle tip"; Used to describe the shape of the mune at the kissaki. See Matsuba-kado
The signature of a sword; Usually engraved with a punch on the tang. May include the name of the maker, the date, the place, the name of the commissioner, a thought, a poem, a saying, results of cutting tests performed with the sword, etc.
The actual action of engraving a signature in the tang of a sword with the help of a hammer and a specialized chisel. See Tagane
Peg used to hold the tsuka on the tang, and thus all fittings together.
Piece of fitting. Intricately decorated button-size bas-reliefs placed under the hilt wrap in order to provide texture and thus better grip. See Koshirae
Litt. chaotic; Used as a modifyer in describing an irregular hamon. In fact most hamon are midare since only a hanful actually follow a book definition-like pattern. See HamonA type of utsuri; A more or less exact reflection of the hamon in the ji. See Utsuri, Hamon, Ji
Litt. "origin"; A legendary family name in Japan. A character used in proper nouns. See Mei
Mine Mei Litt. "peak". A character used in proper nouns. See Mei
Mine Nomenclature
Min-den Culture
Mitsu Mei Litt. "light". A character used in proper nouns. See MeiMitsu-kashira Nomenclature See Mitsu-kado
Miya Mei Litt. "Shint shrine". A character used in proper nouns. See Mei
Mizu-heshi / Mizu-beshi Manufacture
Mochi Mei
Mokume Nomenclature
Momoyama Culture
Mori MeiMoro MeiMoto MeiMuk-zuchi Manufacture Litt. "hammer across"; Sledge hammer.
Mumei Nomenclature Refers to an unsigned a sword; A sword without a mei. See Mei
Mune Nomenclature Back; BackridgeMune Mei
Mune-machi Nomenclature
Mune-saki Nomenclature
Mura Mei Litt. "village".Mura-nie Nomenclature Litt. "bush nie"; Small agglutinations of nie. See Nie
Muromachi Culture
N
Naga Mei
Nagamaki Nomenclature
Nagasa Nomenclature
Naginata Nomenclature
Nagura Manufacture A type of polishing stone used in the fine shaping of a sword.Nakago Nomenclature Tang
Nakago-jiri Nomenclature
Nakago-saki Nomenclature See Nakago-jiri
Nambokuch Culture
Nana Culture Seven; Also pronounced shichi. Used in the mei. See Mei, Shichi
Nao Mei Litt. "straight".Nari Mei
Litt. "back ridge of a sword". More commonly called mune. See MuneOne of the five main traditions according to the Kunzan-Kanzan school (NBTHK). Present-day Gifu. See Yamashiro, Yamato, Bizen, Soshu-den(Sagami)
A process involving the flattening of chunks of tamahagane into 3-5mm plates, which are then quenched and broke into pieces. These pieces are then sorted according to their quality (carbon content, purity, structure, etc) and used as raw material for tanren. See Tamahagane, Tanren
A pattern resembling wood burl. Used to describe jihada. See JihadaAD1573-1600 Period in japanese history. Full name is Azuchi-momoyama ().
Notch at the junction between the tang and the mune; Where the mune starts. See Machi; Ha-machiThe very edge of the mune (the edge created by the two faces on a iori-mune; the top surface of a mitsu-mune, it is less clearly defined in the case of a maru-mune but should be obvious enough).
AD1392-1573 Period in japanese history. Saw important wars and much trouble, including the Sengoku period when the various warlords were constantly struggling for power. Saw the birth of the uchi-gatana, which became the wakizashi and katana. See Sengoku, Uchigatana, Wakizashi, Katana
Litt. "long wrap"; A peculiar type of long sword with a disproportionately long hilt, or haft, which is wrapped in a way similar to tsuka-maki. Its overall length is in-between the long sword (tachi) and the naginata or yari. See Tsuka-maki, Tachi, Naginata, YariRefers to a specific length measured in a straight line from the tip to the mune-machi. See Zen-nagasaLitt. "mow sword"; A polearm weapon similar the the european glaive and fauchard.
/ Tang butt; bottom-end of a tang, its shape being important in Nomenclature.
AD1333-1392 Period in japanese history. Saw the existence of two imperial courts, that of the North, and that of the South.
Narutaki Manufacture A type of polishing stone. Used to make Jizuya. See JizuyaNata Manufacture Small hachet in the shape of a sturdy kitchen knife.
NBTHK - Culture
Nendo-j Manufacture
Ni Culture Two. Used in the mei. See MeiNichi Culture Day. See Hi (Culture)
Nie Nomenclature
Nie-deki Nomenclature
Nie-utsuri Nomenclature A type of spot-like utsuri in the ji. See Utsuri, Ji
Culture
Nihon Tken Hozon Kai Culture
Culture
Nioi Nomenclature
Nioi-deki Nomenclature
Nittho Culture
Nobu MeiNori Mei
Noro Manufacture
Notare Nomenclature
NSK - Culture Acronym for "Nihont Bunka Shink Kykai". See related entry
NTHK - Culture Acronym for "Nihon Tken Hozon Kai". See related entry
NTHK-NPO - Culture
Nugui Manufacture Oil-based iron oxyde mixture used in the final stages of polishing.
O
- Nomenclature
Obi Nomenclature
Obi-tori Nomenclature
-dachi Nomenclature
Oite Culture
Oka MeiOki Mei
Acronym for "Nihon Bijutsu Tken Hozon Kykai". See related entryLitt. "clay soup"; Refers to the clay slurry used during tanren. Clay softened in water to a creamy consistency is applied on the steel during tanren in order to create a coating that permeates against oxydizing. See Tanren
Refers to martensite crystals, either in the hamon or in the ji, big enough to be visible to the eye individually, and usually appearing black. See nioiLitt. "made in nie"; Refers to a sword which hamon's main constituant is nie. See nie
Nihon Bijutsu Tken Hozon Kykai
Litt. "Society for the Preservation of Japanese Art Swords"; Founded as a merging of several sword organizations after the war in the hope of preserving and promoting the japanese sword, its culture and crafts in the aftermaths of the war devastations.
Litt. "Society for the Preservation of Japanese Swords". The oldest such society in Japan, founded in October 1912. Eventually split into two factions, now refered to as the NTHK and NTHK-NPO, both claiming to be the actual society. A court ruling recognized the NTHK.
Nihont Bunka Shink Kykai
Litt. "Society for the Promotion of the Culture of the Japanese Sword". Founded on December 1st, 2008.Refers to martensite tiny martensite crystals forming a whitish cloud along the hamon, each crystal being usually too small to be seen by the naked eye. See nieLitt. "made in nioi"; Refers to a sword which hamon's main constituant is nioi. See nioiAbbreviation for "NIHon Bijutsu Tken HOzon Kykai". See Nihon Bijutsu Tken Hozon Kykai
Slag found at the bottom of the forge after performing tanren. It is composed of melted clay and straw ash and contains scale and charcoal to a certain extent.A type of hamon pattern. Refers to long sinusod curves. See Hamon
An independent faction of the Nihon Tken Hozon Kai. See related entry
Big; Often used as a prefix to modify or precize a noun, such as in o-kissaki (big/long kissaki).
The traditional belt used to hold the kimono together. Uchi-gatana, koshi-gatana, katana, wakizashi and tant are all inserted in it. See Uchi-gatana, Koshi-gatana, Katana, Wakizashi, Tant
Litt. "obi belt hanger"; Fittings installed on tachi koshirae to allow their hanging from the waist. See Tachi, Koshirae
Litt. "great sword"; Extravagantly grand swords, either for religious purposes or sometimes for actual use, although probably more for the visual effect on the battlefield than actual fencing. Some -dachi's lengths would measure in meters.
At; In; On, As for; On one's part. Used in the mei when describing a location such as in "in Edo" -- "Edo (ni) oite" (the "ni" is always pronounced although not inscribed). See Mei
Omote Nomenclature
Origane Nomenclature
Ori-kaeshi mei Nomenclature
Ori-kaeshi-tanren Manufacture
Oroshigane Manufacture
-suriage Nomenclature
P
R
Rai Mei Litt. "come".Renk Manufacture Litt. "refined steel"; Wrought steel. See HaganeRentetsu Manufacture Litt. "refined iron"; Wrought iron. See Tetsu
Rin Nomenclature
Roku Culture Six. Used in the mei. See MeiS
Sabi NomenclatureSada Mei
Sagami Culture
Sage Manufacture
Sageo Nomenclature
Saka-ashi Nomenclature A type of hamon pattern; Slented ashi. See AshiSaka-chji Nomenclature A type of hamon pattern; Slented chji. See ChjiSaki Mei
Sakite Manufacture
Saki-zori Nomenclature
Saku Culture Litt. "make"; Made by-. Used in the mei. See Mei, Z, Tsukuru
San Culture Three. Used in the mei. See Mei
Sanbonsugi Nomenclature
Sane Mei
Sanj Culture
Face, in opp. to ura, back. In relation to swords, it refers to the side of the sword that facing forward when worn, meaning tachi and katana have a different omote, explaining expressions such as "tachi-mei" and "katana-mei", the maker's name always being on the omote.
Litt. "juncture metal"; A tiny piece of metal fitting often made in the shape of a water drop and placed on the side of the scabbard at about its center lengthwise. Its purpose is to prevent the scabbard from slipping out of the obi belt when the sword is unsheathed. Those made of horn are rather called kaeri-tsuna. See Obi, Kaeri-tsuno
On a sword that has had o-suriage performed, the part with the mei was bent and inlayed on the ura of the tang. See Mei, -suriageRefers to what is commonly called tanren, the forge folding of steel. See TanrenLitt. "wholesale metal"; Recycle smelting of iron and steel. Refers to both the process and the type of steel created through it. It implies the re-smelting of pieces of iron and steel, such as old tetsubin, into a regular forge in order to either raise or lower their carbon content. See Tetsubin
Type of work involving the shortening of a sword by cutting off a section of its nakago. It is called -suriage (great suriage) when it has been shortened to the point that the mei has had to be removed or displaced. See Suriage
A traditional unit of length measurement. Equival. to 0.03cm. 10 rin make 1 bu, 100 rin make 1 sun and 1000 rin make 1 shaku. See Shaku, Sun, Bu
Rust.
Name of a province in ancient Japan; Present-day Kanagawa. See Soshu-denLitt. "the lowering of"; In sword making, refers to the decarburization of zuku-oshi pig iron, thus the lowering of its carbon content. See Zuku, Zuku-oshi, sentetsu
Litt. "lowering cord"; Cord. Attached to the scabbard through its kurikata and used to prevent the entire sword from sliding off the obi, or to prevent only the scabbard from following the sword and sliding off the obi. See Kurikata, Obi
Litt. "first hand"; Assistant; Helper. Refers to the apprentice(s) working around their master at work, usually proving him with forge fuel, tools, assisting him at work by pumping the bellows, holding the work or hammering it with the muk-zuchi. See Muk-zuchiLitt. tip-curvature; Describes a sword curvature which is strongest at towards the tip of the sword. See Sori
A type of hamon pattern based on gunome. Originally found in the work of Mino smith Kanemoto. See Hamon, Gunome, Min
A school of the late Heian and early Kamakura period, often linked with that of Gojo; Refers to a famous "third avenue" in the old capital of Kyoto. See Gojo
Saya Nomenclature ScabbardSaya-jiri Nomenclature Butt-end fitting on scabbards. Also called kojri. See KojiriSeid Manufacture Bronze.
Seik Manufacture
Seiren Manufacture
Sekkaboku Nomenclature Solid ink used on nakago in the making of oshigata.
Seme-gane Nomenclature
Sen Manufacture A drawknife. There are many types used. See Hi-sen, Hira-sen
Sentetsu Manufacture
Shaku Nomenclature
Shi Culture Four; Also pronounced yon. Used in the mei. See Mei, Yon
Shichi Culture Seven; Also pronounced nana. Used in the mei. See Mei, Nana
Shige MeiShinogi Nomenclature Ridgeline
Shinogi-ji Nomenclature
Shinogi-zukuri Nomenclature
Shinsakut Culture Litt. "newly made swords"; Used to refer to newly made swords.
Shin-shint Culture
Shint Culture
Shirasaya Nomenclature
Shiro Mei
Shobu-zukuri Nomenclature
Shumei Nomenclature
Sori Nomenclature
Sosh-den Culture
Sugata Nomenclature
Suguha / Suguba Nomenclature
Suji Nomenclature Line; Streak, Vein; For reference the shinogi is a suji by definition.
Steel manufacture. Used generally in reference to the industrial process. The traditional process is refered to as tatara. See Tatara
Litt. "manufactured refined"; Steel smelting. Used generally in reference to the industrial process. The traditional process is refered to as tatara. See Tatara
Litt. "torture metal"; Metal collar applied mostly on tachi scabbards at a short distance from the butt-end. See Tachi
Litt. "pig iron-iron"; Refers to all cast steels, including the product of the zuku-oshi tatara; the actual pig iron; also called zuku. sentetsu contains a very high rate of carbon which makes it brittle and unusable as is in a forge. It must pass through a decarburizing process called sage. See Zuku, Zuku-oshi tatara, Kera, Kera-oshi tatara, SageA traditional unit of length. Equival. to 30.3022cm. It is divided in 10 sun, 100 bu and 1000 rin. See Sun, Bu, Rin
The surface between the shinogi and the mune on shinogi-zukuri swords. See Shinogi, Mune, Shinogi-zukuriType of sword; Refers to those swords with a ridgeline running about one third of their width from the back.
AD1781-1867; Litt. "new new swords"; Period in japanese sword history. Also refers to the actual swords made during this period.
AD1596-1781; Litt. "new swords"; Period in japanese sword history. Also refers to the actual swords made during this period.
Litt. white scabbard; Refers to an undecorated plain wooden storage scabbard. See Saya
A type of sword shape which is similar to shinogi-zukuri, but doesn't display a yokote, the shinogi simply runs directly to the tip. The name shobu was given after the name of a plant which leaves have a similar blade shape. See Shinogi-zukuriA mei calligraphied in urushi lacquer on the tang; Usually performed by an appraiser long after the making of the sword. See MeiCurvature; Its length is measured at the widest from the mune-saki to an imaginary straight line running from the very tip to the mune-machi.One of the five main traditions according to the Kunzan-Kanzan school (NBTHK). Present-day Kanagawa. Also refered by the actual name of the province at that time, Sagami. See Sagami, Yamashiro, Yamato, Bizen, MinoShape; Refers to all aspects of the shape and profile of a sword: its curvature, length, width, proportions, etc.
A type of hamon pattern. Refers to a straight hamon, parallel to the edge. It can then be described as having all sorts of additional characteristics, such as ashi. See Hamon, Ashi
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