NIHONTO.COM:ABOUT SWORDS

{INTRODUCTION} {MAJOR KOTO SCHOOLS}{DIAGRAMS AND TERMINOLOGY} {GLOSSARY}{ARTICLES}

Saya - The scabbard.
Kojiri - the ornament at the end of the scabbard.

Tsuka - The Handle
Tsuka-Ito - The braid for wrapping the handle.
Mekugi - The pin which holds the handle to the sword.
Tsuba - The handguard.
Fuchi - The cap at the end of the tsuka where it meets the tsuba.
Kashira - The pommel at the end of the handle.
Sageo - The cord used to secure the sword to the obi (belt).
Saguri - the ornament which helps secure the scabbard when drawn.
Kurikata - The knob through which the sageo is passed.
Same - The ray skin which wraps handles under the tsuka-ito.

Mune - The back of the sword.
Kissaki - The point of the sword
Boshi - The shape of the temper in the point.
Yokote - Line separating the point from the sword.
Shinogi - The ridge line running the length of the blade.
Shinogi-Ji - the part of the blade between the Shinogi and the Mune (back) of the blade.
Yakiba - the tempered edge of the blade
Ha - The cutting edge of the sword
Ji - The area between the Shinogi-ji and the Yakiba

Nakago - The tang of the blade.
Nakago-Jiri - the end of the Nakago.
Mune-Machi - The notch on the back of the blade to stop the Habaki (Collar).

Ha-Machi - The notch on the cutting edge of the blade to stop the Habaki.
Mei - The makers signature.
Mekugi-Ana - The hole in the Nakago for the Mekugi.

{INTRODUCTION} {MAJOR KOTO SCHOOLS}{DIAGRAMS AND TERMINOLOGY} {GLOSSARY}{ARTICLES}