Parts of the Sword

Parts of the sword

Samurai swords are complex: They have many parts with both practical and artistic features. Considering that warriors would hurt themselves if they held onto the blade itself, they grasped the tsuka which served as a handle. To enhance their grip, a tsuka-ito chord would be wrapped around the handle. Samurai also expressed their unique sense of style and status by attaching trinkets, called menuki, to the tsuka by binding it with the tsuka-ito chord-wrap. It often reflected the nature and character of the user.

To further ensure the safety of the samurai, a guard was placed on the handle to prevent the warrior's hand from sliding up the blade. These guards, colloquially called a tsuba, also gave warriors customizability in terms of style. The tsuba was often decorated with floral patterns, wildlife, and short blurbs of writing. The designs on the tsuba often referenced familial ties or clans that the warrior belonged to, depicting a sense of loyalty. The habaki served as a collar binding the blade and handle securely. The blade itself contained underlying parts including the ha (edge), shinogi, (blade ridge), and kissaki (tipped point). Even the blade itself incorporated an element of style and design as hamon marks resemble waves. The harmon waves are produced during the rapid heating and cooling of the blade’s steel. To ensure further safety and as a vessel for carrying, sword sheaths called Saya cover the blade when not in use. 

Considering that samurai armies were uniformed, the customization of their sword parts provided an outlet to express their sense of style, loyalty, and character. Parts of the sword, as expected, were also designed to be lethal. This dynamic between beauty and danger that existed in the swords is why they are referred to as the “souls of the samurai.”