Sword Types

There are several different "types" of Japanese sword when you get into the details. Most of the difference only has to do with length and terminology. For most sword buyer's, a Katana is the only sword you ever need to know and love. But if you were wondering about some of the other samurai sword terminology, here you go:

Daisho

Daito

Double edge Katana

Iaito (Iaido sword)

Katana

Nodachi

O Katana

Odachi

Tachi

Tanto

Wakizashi

Daisho (lit = Long & Short)
Daisho is the term given to the Katana and Wakizashi as a pair. These are the two traditional swords worn by the samurai. The Katana is the longer, main sword, and the Wakizashi is the shorter, "back-up" sword. When indoors or sitting, the Katana is almost always removed from the obi (belt), but the Wakizashi almost never leaves the samurai's side.

Daito
Daito is the term used to classify any Japanese long sword. For instance, a Katana is a Daito, and so is a Tachi. To qualify as a daito, the blade must be approx 24" or longer.

Double edge Katana
A double edge Katana is very rare. In fact, very few people make them today, largely because they are not very practical where Japanese swords are concerned. A double edged Katana looks like a normal katana except that the back side of the blade also has a sharpened edge that runs only about halfway down the back (mune). Since it's really impractical to cut in the opposite direction of the primary edge, it's no wonder the double edge Katana never caught on.

Iaito (Iaido sword)
Sometimes called a mogito, the Iaito is an unsharpened sword used primarily in Iaido practice. It has the weight, feel, and look of a real katana, but without the dangerous edge. Iaito can be a great training aid for any Japanese sword style.

Katana
Katana is the primary long sword of a samurai. The blade is at least 24" long, and there are various degrees of curvature depending on the preference of each samurai.
(click here to read more about this amazing weapon)

Nodachi
Nodachi is the term given for any large, two-handed sword that is bigger than an average Katana. The term Odachi and Nodachi mean virtually the same thing and are often interchanged to describe any large sword. The Nodachi were only used on the battlefield because they were too cumbersome to use indoors. However, the Nodachi was not a widely used sword. A spear or Naginata was much more effective for longer range fighting on the battle field. Hence, Nodachi are rare to find these days.

O Katana
An O Katana simply means "great" or "large" Katana. Not to be confused with a Nodachi or Odachi, an O Katana was simply a bit longer than an average-length katana (Nodachi or Odachi were considerably larger than an O Katana). O Katana were usually only made for samurai of high importance as their length made them difficult to forge.

Odachi
This is a loose term given to any large, two-handed sword that is bigger than an average katana. The term Nodachi and Odachi mean virtually the same thing and are often interchanged to describe any large sword. Odachi were only used on the battlefield because they were too cumbersome to use indoors. However, the Odachi was not a widely used sword. A spear or Naginata was much more effective for longer range fighting on the battle field. Hence, Nodachi are rare to find these days. They are distinguished by their very long handles.

Tachi
For the most part, a Tachi is the same as a Katana, but worn with the blade edge down (Katanas are worn with the blade edge facing up). The tachi style of sword-wearing is used only on horseback for easier drawing. It is also usually hung by the saya cord (sageo) from the obi.

Tanto
Tanto is a Japanese knife or dagger. It can be single edged, or double edged. A battlefield samurai in full armor would usually wear a Katana and tanto instead of a katana and wakizashi (wakizashi were too cumbersome in full armor).

Wakizashi
Wakizashi means "side arm." It can be anywhere from 12" - 24" in length. The wakizashi is the shorter, "back-up" weapon that almost never leaves the side of the samurai. Even in the presence of a guest, a samurai would keep his wakizashi tucked in his obi and ready for action just in case.