The Ha is the razor-sharp edge of the Katana. Ha The front edge of the Katana blade designed for slashing strikes – Credits: Matthew Jensen Besides resulting in the harder and sharper edge of the blade, many Hamon patterns also give the blade a unique look. This process leaves the Hamon as a visual aesthetic. The clay is only added on the blade’s edge to make it harder. Traditionally made Katanas that are made by folding the Tamahagane Steel are differentially hardened by using a clay tempering method. After forging and crafting the sword at high temperatures, the clay covering makes the sword harden unevenly, leaving this pattern. The Hamon refers to the wave-like pattern on the blade’s surface that results due to the tempering process. Hamon The hamon is the wavy blade line that extends from the guard until the end of the blade – Credits: FreePik The Hi can come in very different shapes and some of the most popular ones are Bo-Hi, Soe-Hi, Naginata-Hi, Tome-Hi, Kakinagashi-Hi, Koshu-Hi, and Shobu-Hi. Instead, the groove functions to lightens the blade and gives the sword a unique aesthetic appeal. Although inaccurate, it is sometimes referred to as a “blood groove” because of the myth that it helps with extracting the enemy’s blood faster, making the blade more lethal. The groove or fuller that can come in different shapes, sizes and even numbers on a Katana blade is called a Hi. Hi or Blood Groove Katana blades with and without a groove – Credits: Hanbon Forge ![]() An ideally shaped boshi should follow the hamon line and turn on itself to touch the yokote which separates the kissaki from the rest of the blade. This is not an easy feature to achieve on a Katana and it usually demonstrates the experience that the bladesmith has. The boshi is the hamon pattern at the end of the blade’s tip ( kissaki). The different types of Boshi – Credits: HanBonForge There are many different variations and some of the most popular ones are Chu- Kissaki, O- Kissaki, Ko- Kissaki, and the Ikari-O- Kissaki that has a more prominent curvature. This way, the Samurai could use the katana to both cut and stab. The Kissaski gives the sword the ability to thrust. While most European swords have their tips pointed to the center, the Kissakis’ point is at the edge of the blade. The shape of the tip is different from medieval swords. The Kissaki is the tip of the Katana’s blade. ![]() Kissaki The different Kissaki (blade tips) on Japanese Swords – Credits: Traditional Sheng Sword They can be used for powerful slashing strikes as well as effective thrusts thanks to their sharp tips. Katana blade lengths are usually around the 31-inch (80 cm) mark, single-edged, and curved. The blade of the Katana is traditionally made out of folded Tamahagane steel, but today there are many other superior types of mono carbon steels that can be used for it. The Nagasa refers to the span and length of the Katana’s blade beginning just under the tsuba handguard and ending at the kissaki tip. Nagasa The Nagasa of the Katana can be sharpened, making it functional for battle – Credits: The Collector Mune – Machi & Ha-Machi – The upper and lower part where the Nakago ends and the Nagasa starts.Mei – Writing or signature of the bladesmith.Yokote – A blade ridge or line at the ending of the blade.Shinogi-Ji – The upper part of the blade’s ridge.Shinogi – The blade’s ridge that extends through the blade’s central line.Mune – The unsharpened edge or spine of the Katana blade.Ha – The sharpened edge of the Katana blade.Hamon– A distinct blade pattern throughout the blade’s length.Hi or Blood Groove – The fuller or groove.Nagasa – Referring to the entire blade length.The parts of the Katana blade can be divided into the following: The Katana blade is designed to cut, slash, slice, and pierce. ![]() The blade is the most important part of the sword. ![]() The main parts of a katana includes the following:īlade – Nagasa The Parts of a Katana Blade – Credits: Sword Encyclopedia The Katana’s main parts are created separately through different procedures that could take months. Main Katana Parts Main Katana Parts – Credits: Met Museum In this article, we will talk about the different kinds of Katana and all the parts it contains, how they were made, and their features. The sword is popular among collectors and people who do martial arts, but few are familiar with the parts of the sword. The Katana has a single-edged blade that is curved at one end. Swordsmiths in Japan made swords of high-carbon steel during the Kamakura period. The Japanese Katana is one of the most well-known swords in the world.
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