Glossary of Japanese Sword Terms
Ashi Small pattern of softer steel extending from the ji into the hamon. This pattern in the hamon was to prevent large sections of the cutting edge from being broken off.
Ayasugi This is a large wavey hada
Bo'Hi A wide groove or Hi in the blade. Often believed to channel blood from your slain opponent and commonly called a "Blood Groove." The Bo'Hi "groove" is to lighten the blade just as the fuller in a European sword.
Boshi The rounded hardened edge on the point or Kissaki of the blade.
Choji Clover or mushroom shaped hamon pattern.
Fuchi Collar beside the tsuba
Gunome Semi circular wave shaped hamon.
Ha The cutting edge of the blade. Also the section that would be sharpened.
Habuchi This is the transitional zone from hard to soft steel or the line defining the edge of the hamon.
Hada The pattern or grain in the blade that is a result of folding the steel
Hamachi The notch at the beginning of the cutting edge
Hamon The line seen between the edge and spine of a blade where the metal is changes hardness. This is typical in Japanese styled blades from the process of differential tempering or hardening.
Hi A groove in the blade. Often believed to channel blood from your slain opponent and commonly called a "Blood Groove." The Bo'Hi "groove" is to lighten the blade just as the fuller in a European sword.
Horimono Carving or Engraving in the Blade
Inazuma Streaks of hardened steel in a vertical zig-zag pattern in the transition zone habuchi. This type of hamon literally means "lightning bolts"
Itame Wood-like grain in the steel, This type of Hada is similar to the side grain in a block of wood, with irregular rounded shapes.
Ito silk or cotton hilt wrapping
Ji The blade surface just above the hamon and below the shinogi
Jihadda Grain pattern in the Ji
Kashira Butt cap on the tsuka
Kinsuji A type of hamon that means "golden lines"
Kissaki The point or tip of the blade
Koiguchi The fitting or mouth of the saya
Kurikata Fitting on the saya for attaching the sageo
Menuki The ornament under the Ito on the Tsuka
Mune The back or spine of the blade
Obi The Belt or Sash worn by the martial artist
Sageo The cord used for tying the saya to the obi
Same Rayskin used for covering the tsuka under the Ito
Shinogi The ridge line defining the Yakiba or edge of the blade
Shinogi-Ji The flat section just above the Shinogi
Tsuba The guard on the sword.
Tsuka The handle or the grip of the sword
Yakiba The sharpened cutting edge of the blade
