| Japanese Sword Terms Glossary | |
| Iaido, Kendo, Kenjitsu Terms Glossary of Japanese swordsmanship terms Version 1.1 released on Iaido-L by Kim A. Taylor MAIN NAMES BATTO – Another name for iai. IAIDO – The way of drawing the sword. KENDO – The way of the sword, already drawn. KORYU – Old school or lineage. MUSO JIKIDEN EISHIN RYU – A style or school of Iai. Named for Hasagawa Eishin. Muso Shinden Ryu style related to the above, originated by Nakayama Hakudo. SEITEI – Basic, fundamental. Seitei Gata, fundamental techniques (kata). Etiquette Etiquette names: HAJIME NO SAHO – Beginning etiquette OWARI NO SAHO – Finishing etiquette REIGI – Etiquette REIHO – Etiquette, method of bowing REISHIKI – Same as above. SAHO – Method of etiquette Sword positions: DATTO – Taking sword from belt KEITO – Same as teito shisei. TAITO – Putting sword into belt TEITO – holding the sword loose by the left side. Also used when sword is in belt and both hands loose at sides. TEITO SHISEI – holding the sword by the left side, as if in the obi. Thumb on tsuba. Bowing: JOSEKI NI REI – Bow to the high section of the dojo. KAMIZA NI REI – Bow to kamiza (gods) OTAGAI NI REI – Bow to each other. REI – Bow. RITSU REI – Same as tachi rei. SENSEI (GATA) NI REI – Bow to teacher(s) SHINZEN NI REI – Bow to shrine. TACHI REI – Standing bow. TO REI – Bow to sword. ZA REI – Kneeling bow. Words: ARIGATO – Thank you (informal) DOMO – Thanks (informal) DOMO ARIGATO – Thank you (formal) DOMO ARIGATO GOZAIMASU – Thank you very much (very formal) DOZO – Please go ahead GOMEN NASAI – Excuse me, I’m sorry ONEGAI SHIMASU – Please (when asking for something, usually as in Please lets practice together) OSHIETE (KUDASAI) – “(Please) teach me”, such as a polite way to get a game with an older better player at a Go club, or before keiko with a visiting high ranked kendo sensei. Onegai shimasu is used when asking someone to do something for you, but unlike kudasai, which needs to be attached to the verb, onegai shimasu can stand by itself, such as in giving an item to buy to the cashier, or to a waiter to get a dirty plate removed, or as an additional exhortation after the initial please, as in “Oshiete kudasai. Onegai shimasu.” Yarimasho-ka might also be better for “Let’s practice (play) together, shall we?” ONEGAI OTSUKARESAMADESHITA A – thank-you that is used after training. O TSUKARE SAMA DESHITA – You have become tired (because of the hard work you have done teaching) An expression of thanks. SUMIMASEN – Excuse me (to attract attention). Ranks and titles KO HAI – Junior student. SEMPAI – Senior student. SENSEI – Instructor. SHIHAN – A senior teacher, properly used within the school only, when outside, use sensei. KYU – Student grade, from 5 to 7 up to 1, the highest. DAN – More advanced grades, from 1 to 10. YUDANSHA – Members with dan grades. MUDANSHA – Members with kyu grades HANSHI – Highest title from ZNKR, must be 55 or older and 8 dan. KYOSHI – Middle title from ZNKR, must be 7th dan. RENSHI – Title bestowed from ZNKR in addition to Dan ranks. SOKE – Head of style (actually head of family, unifier of gods and lineage) KAICHO – “Owner” of school (organization) eg. Sei Do Kai KANCHO – “Owner” of school (building, hall) eg. Yugen Kan Practice hall arrangement DOJO – Practice hall. GE – Side of dojo opposite shinzen JOSEKI (JO) – High side, Shinzen. SHOMEN – Front of room. SHINZEN, KAMIZA – Altar, gods place. SHIMOSEKI, SHIMOZA – opposite sensei, where students sit. Students line up on one side of the room, instructors on the other. Shinzen is one of the two remaining sides, usually depending on where the door to the room is. If the door is in a corner, usually that corner is where the lowest ranked students would sit. Preferably, shinzen is to the east. Shomen Sensei S h i J G n o e z e n Sempai -> decreasing rank door Shimoza Commands in the dojo ATO – Move back. HAJIME – Start. HAYAKU – Quickly. IAI KISOGEIKO – Fundamental practice. IJO – That’s all (after recitation). JUNBITAISO O HAJIMEMASU – Begin warm-up. JUNBITAISO O OWARIMASU – Warm-ups are finished. KATANA O MOTTE – Get your sword(s). KIYOTSUKETE – Be careful. MATE – Wait. MAWATTE – Turn around. MO MOTTE – More, eg. mo oki, bigger. MOKUSO – Close the eyes, meditation. OSAME TO – Replace swords into saya. YAME – Stop. YOI – Ready. YUKURI – Slow. YURU YAKA NI – Smooth. General vocabulary AGE – Lift or raise up. ATO DE – Afterwards. BATTO – Draw the sword. CHIGAU – Different. CHIISAI – Small. CHIKAKU – Near. DAME – Not like that, wrong. EGURU – To scoop out, gouge. HAI – Yes. HETA – Unskillful, poorly done. IIE – No. JOZU – Skillful. KOGES – A Small form. KYOJUN – Standard, basic level. MACHIGAI – Mistake. MIRU – Look. NANKEN – “False sword”, bad style, twitchy tournament style NAZA – Why. OGESA – Large form. OKI – Big. SEMERU – Push, press. SHITA – Under. SHITO KOKYU – One breath. SHIZUKANI – Soft, gentle. SUKOSHI – A little, a small amount. TATE – Standing, upright. WAKARIMASU – I understand. WARUI – Bad. Directions MAE Forward. MIGI Right. HIDARI Left. USHIRO Rearward, behind. OMOTE Front. URA Back. UCHI Inside. SOTO Outside. JODAN High. CHUDAN Middle. GEDAN Low. FUKAKU Low. ICHI MON JI A straight line. TATE ICHI MON JI A vertical line. YOKO ICHI MIN JI A horizontal line. CHOKKAKU Right angles. DO Degrees, eg. kyu ju do is 90 degrees. HEIKO Parallel. KAKUDO Angle. MASSUGU Straight ahead. NANAME Diagonal. OTOSHI Dropping. SHOMEN Straight ahead. UE Up. YOKO Horizontal, to the side. ASOKO Over there. BIKI To move, as in saya biki or hakama biki. GYAKU Reverse, opposite, inverted. HANTAI The other way around. KIKU Lower. KOMI Coming close or drawing near. SOKO There, that position. The uniform BOGU Kendo armor. DO The breastplate. KOTE Gloves, gauntlets. MEN The helmet. TARE The protective skirt. TENUGUI Small hand cloth to wipe face. Also worn under the helmet in kendo. KEIKO GI Practice uniform. KENDO GI Practice uniform for kendo. EMBU GI Demonstration top / uniform. GI Refers to top only. KAMISHIMO Over vest / jacket. KESA Lapel / part of monk’s costume hanging from left shoulder. MON Family crests on uniform (5). MONTSUKI Wide sleaved top with mon on chest, sleeve and back. SODE Sleeve, on practice top. TANOMO Large sleeves on formal tops. UWA GI Practice top. ZEKKEN Chest patch embroidered with own name and dojo name. OBI Belt. HAKAMA Split skirt, wide legged pants. HIMO Straps / cords HERA Peg in back of hakama. MATADACHI Split in side of hakama. KOSHI ITA Back plate on hakama. TABI Japanese sock-slippers used in dojo. ZORI Japanese sandals for use outside dojo. Postures HANMI Half forward stance. HITOEMI Equal stance, feet parallel forward IAI GOSHI Hips lowered, stable position. IAI HIZA, TATE HIZA Kneeling on one calf. KAMAE Posture, stance. KIZA Kneeling, but up on the toes. SEIZA Kneeling on both calves. SONKYO squatting (crouching) position in Kendo practice. TACHI Standing. CHUDAN Middle kamae, sword in middle, seigan is a chudan gamae. GEDAN Lower level, sword pointed down. HASSO GAMAE Figure 8 stance, sword by side of head. Usually hasso hidari, sword on right, left foot forward. JODAN Upper level, sword above head. Usually hidari jodan, left foot forward. KARUMA like waki gamae, blade horizontal. KASUMI Arms crossed over to hide technique (mountain mist). KONGO Blade vertical in front of face. SEIGAN Natural step, fundamental kamae. WAKI GAMAE Sword pointed down and back, for a sutemi (sacrifice) waza. Usually sword on right side (migi waki gamae), left foot forward. Other purpose – hiding length of sword, especially in case of a broken one. CUTS AND BLOCKS OF THE SWORD AIUCHI Strike together. ATE Strike. GYAKU KESA GIRI Diagonal upward cut. KATATE UCHI One handed cut. KESA GIRI Diagonal downward cut. A kesa is a sash worn diagonally across the chest by buddhist priest. KIRI Cut. (kiru: to cut) KIRI AGE Same as gyaku kesa giri. KIRI GAESHI Large diagonal cut, sword finishing in waki gamae position. Different meaning in kendo, refers to partnered practice with attacker performing successive yokomen and defender blocking. KIRI KUDASHI Finishing cut. KIRI OTOSHI Dropping cut, straight down. MOROTE UCHI Two handed cut. SHOMEN UCHI Strike on front of head. SUNE GAKOI Block to protect the leg (shin). TSUKI Thrust. UCHI Strike. UKE NAGASHI Receive and deflect. YOKOMEN UCHI Strike on side of head. YOHO GIRI Horizontal cut. Kendo techniques (wazas): Ashi-waza Foot technique Debana-waza Attack-at-the-start technique Gedan-waza Sword lowered technique Harai-waza Warding-off technique Hiki-waza Stepping-back technique Jodan-waza Sword-over-head technique Kaeshi-waza reverse-side or rotating warding technique. Katate-waza Single-hand technique Katsugi-waza Shouldering-the-sword technique Kiri-otoshi-waza Both cut men, the weaker cut bounces off and the stronger, more centred cut hits the target. Maki-waza Rolling-off technique Nidan-waza Two-step technique Nuki-waza Displacement, dodging or avoidng technique. Sandan-waza Three-step technique Sayai-waza Small wrist swing technique Shikake-waza Offensive techniques Suriage-waza Literal meaning of suri-age is sliding up. It’s any oji or shikake (oji – counterattcking, shikake attacking) technique which involves creating the opportunity by sliding your shinai upwards along the opponent’s shinai. Uchiotoshi-waza A downward strike used to knock the sword away or out of the opponent’s hands. TYPES OF PRACTICE EMBU Demonstration. KATA – structured practice; form or pattern. JI GEIKO Free practice (kendo). JOGEBURI (JOGESUBURI) Suburi with the finishing position with tip about 2″ above floor. KAKARI-GEIKO Practice where the instructor offers openings to the student, who must attack the openings immediately. KEIKO Practice. KIRI KAESHI This is the migi-men, hidari-men practice with another person blocking.MI TORI KEIKO Watching practice. NANAMAE MEN Suburi with the “corners” of the head as target, 45 degree angle – same technique as in kiri-kaeshi OJI WAZA Receiving techniques. SAIUMEN Suburi practising left and right yoko-men alternately. SHIAI Competition. TAIKAI Match within a competition. TAMESHIGIRI Test cutting. UCHIKOMIGEIKO – continuous attack practice Parts of an iaido technique (kata) HENKA WAZA Small variations in same basic technique. KAE WAZA Substitute or totally different techniques. WAZA Technique. KOKYU Breath control. CHOSOKU Breathing. METSUKE Gaze. ENZEN NO METSUKE Gaze at the far mountains. BATTO To unsheath a sword. NUKI TSUKE or KIRI TSUKE, simultaneous draw and strike. TATE HA Standing edge, draw with edge up. JO HA KYU Acceleration, buildup to climax. SEME Pressure. SEMERU Pressing forward. SAYA BIKI Movement of scabbard. SAYA BANARE Tip at koiguchi during draw, just before strike, the flight from the scabbard. KIME Focus FURI KABURI Lifting sword from nuki to morote jodan. KIRI KUDASHI or KIRI TSUKE the finishing strike. HIKI TAOSHI Pulling down. (Usually the opponent). HIKI KIRI Pulling cut, usually when pulling over teki. HANE AGE Flipping over. (Flipping up the blade). CHIBURI Shaking off the blood, cleaning the blade. O-CHIBURI Large or circular chiburi. YOKO CHIBURI Horizontal chiburi, move to the side. CHINUGUI Wiping off the blood, as is done in Uke Nagashi. NOTO Replacing the blade in the saya. TATE NOTO Standing noto, blade replaced with edge facing up. ZANSHIN Awareness, watchfulness, “lingering heart”. HOLDING THE SWORD TE NO UCHI Grip on sword with fingers pulling into palm. SHIBORI Wringing. Twisting the hands inward over the handle on the cut. HASUJI Angle of movement of the edge. Where the edge is “pointing”. KIRI TE Grip that allows cutting action with blade. SEME TE Pushing hand. Pressing forward with the blade. MAMORI TE As for seme te. Covering or protecting hand. SHINI TE Hand position that does not allow a cut. Dead hand. TOME TE Stopping hand, one that is defensive. NOBI TE As for shini te. KATA TE One handed. MORO TE Two hands on tsuka. SOE TE “Assisting hand” One hand on tsuka, one on blade. Descriptions of the sword Sword names: AIKUCHI a dagger with no tsuba, typically worn by women BOKEN Hardwood replica of sword. BOKUTO Hardwood replica of sword. DAISHO Great small, the set of two swords, daito and shoto. DAITO Great sword, larger of the set of two, daisho along with shoto. GUNTO War sword, usually refers to those made just prior to and during WWII. IAITO Practice sword for Iaido, usually not sharp. KATANA Same as Daito. Mounted edge up. KEN Sword, usually refers to the straight double edged type. KODACHI equivalent to SHOTO, lit. “small TACHI” with the same fittings as a tachi. KOTO “Old sword”. Blades before about 1600. SUBURITO Wooden sword, usually heavy. SHINAI Bamboo practice sword, used for Kendo. SHINKEN A real or “live” blade. SHINTO New swords, from about 1600 to 1870. SHIN-SHINTO Modern blades. SHOTO the smaller of a pair of daisho, the other is the daito. TACHI Old style sword, (koto) mounted edge down. TANTO a knife-sized short sword, typically less than 1 SHAKU in length TO Sword, curved type, single edge. UCHI GATANA Inside sword, forerunner of Katana, worn in belt. WAKIZASHI equivalent to SHOTO, the shorter sword in a DAISHO pair, typically less than 2 SHAKU in length Other bladed weapons: NAGAMAKI Similar to a naginata, a curved blade on a pole. NAGINATA Halberd – a long pole with a curved blade on the end YARI spear Measuring the sword: SHAKU 30.2 cm. or 11.9 inches. SUN 1/10 of a shaku. BU 1/10 of a sun, 0.3 cm NAGASA Measure of length of blade from kissaki to mune machi in a straight line SORI Measure of curve of blade from nagasa to mune at deepest point. Sword length parameters: Tachi, Daito, Katana, = 2+ shaku. Shoto, Wakizashi, 1-2 shaku. Tanto, <1 shaku. Parts of the sword: OMOTE For Tachi. That side that faces out from the hip when it is in the saya in its usual mounting. This side is signed by the swordmaker. URA For Tachi. Side that faces the hip. SASHI OMOTE (Katana) Side facing out. SASHI URA (Katana) Side facing hip. TACHI-MEI The side with the signature. KATANA-MEI The side with the signature. Points on the sword blade (tang to tip): Tang: NAKAGO Tang of blade. NAKAGO JIRI End of tang. MEI Signature on tang. YASURI MEI File marks on tang. HITOE Back of tang, meets mune at mune machi. Also called Nakago-mune. MEKUGI ANA Hole through tang. MUNE MACHI Notch for habaki, at back of blade. HA MACHI Notch for habaki, at edge side of blade. Blade: TSUBA MOTO 1/3 of blade nearest tsuba. CHU O Middle 1/3 of blade. MONO UCHI 1/3 of blade nearest tip, cutting area. KATAHABA Measurement at thickest part of blade. MUNE Back of blade. MUNE TYPES: Mitsumune (3 surfaces), Marumune (rounded), Iorimune (standard 2 surface) SHINOGI JI Area of blade near back from shinogi to mune. HI Grooves down shinogi ji. SHINOGI Line of blade between shinogi ji and jigane, ridge at widest point of blade. HIRAJI Area of blade between hamon and shinogi. JIGANE Refers to the steel material. Jigane = skin steel. Shingane = core steel. These have different carbon contents. Appearance of the jigane is controlled by the smith’s folding technique. Can be of different patterns, courseness, etc. HAMON Ha = edge, Mon = Pattern. The shape or style of the yakiba. This does not necessarily exactly follow the shape of the yakiba. A polisher will “improve” it sometimes. HIRA Face of the blade between shinogi and ha, includes hiraji and hamon. YAKIBA Yaki = fired, Ba (Ha) = edge. The hardened part of the blade near the edge. HABUCHI Boundary of the yakiba. HA Cutting edge. Tip: YOKOTE Line between edge plane and tip plane. MITSUKADO Point where shinogi, yokote, and ko shinogi meet. KO SHINOGI Shinogi line through tip area. KISSAKI Tip area, from yokote to end. KISSAKI SIZES: Ko kissaki = small, Chu Kissaki = medium, O kissaki = large. FUKUSA Cutting edge in tip area. BOSHI The hamon of the kissaki. Hardened area in tip / the curve leading to the point. Fittings of the sword: TSUKA Handle. KASHIRA Fitting at end of handle, end of handle. TSUKA MAKI The style, or pattern, or method of wrapping the handle. TSUKA ITO The material used to wrap the handle. Silk, Leather, etc. SAME Belly skin from a type of Ray. However, the word SAME means “shark”, not “ray fish”. MENUKI Decorative fixtures on handle. MEKUGI Retaining peg. MEKUGI ANA Hole for peg. FUCHI GANE Fitting between handle and guard. SEPPA Spacers on either side of tsuba. TSUBA Sword guard. HABAKI Fitting between tsuba and blade, wedge for koiguchi. KOGAI Skewer. KOGATANA Ko = small, Katana = blade. Small knife carried in a pocket on the Saya. KODZUKA Ko = small, Tsuka = handle. Handle of the Kogatana. The scabbard: SAYA Scabbard. SHIRASAYA lit. “white scabbard”, a plain storage-only scabbard KOIGUCHI Scabbard mouth (literally carp’s mouth). KURIGATA Knob for tying sageo. SHITODOME Metal fittings inside the kurigata. SAGEO Cord from saya (kurigata) to hakama himo. KOJIRI Fitting at end of saya, end of saya. Parts of a shinai: sakigawa – leather tip of shinai nakayui – the middle knot that holds the shinai staves together tsukagawa – the leather handle tsuba – disc guard tsubadome – the rubber that keep the guard from sliding down. Body motions TAI SABAKI Body motions. TAI Body. SABAKI Movement. HIRAKI ASHI Rear foot moves forward and turns to face opponent, front foot turns to establish feet again in kamae but with opposite foot forward. IRIMI Entering. JIKU ASHI Turning foot, the main axis of rotation. KAITEN Turning. MAWARI Swinging around. SEME ASHI Pushing or pressing foot. SURI ASHI Sliding foot. TENKAN Moving one foot behind the other to face 180 degrees. Walking: AYUMI ASHI Normal walking motion, back foot slides up to become front foot. CHIDORI ASHI “Bird walk” as in ayuma ashi. FUMI KOMI Shift forward, as in a strike, using the hips. FUMI KOMI ASHI Foot motion as shifting forward, front and back slide together, not two different movements. OKURI ASHI Following foot, step forward with front foot, then rear foot moves same distance forward to regain original distance apart. TSUGI ASHI Half step, rear foot up to front then front forward again. The swordsman Names of roles: KASSO TEKI Invisible opponent. MOTODACHI Defender, teacher side in waza practice. NAGE Performer of technique. SHIDACHI (SHI TACHI) Completing sword. Finishes partner practice. TEKI Opponent TORI Attacker. UCHIDACHI (UCHI TACHI) Entering sword. “Attacker” in partner practice. UKE Receiver (of technique) The body (top down): NAKAZUMI Centreline of body ATAMA Head MEN Head. SHOMEN Front or top of head. YOKOMEN Side of head. SHAMEN Side of head, temple GAMMEN Point on face between the eyes. SUNMEN Same as gammen. ME Eye. MIMI Ear. JINCHU Centre of upper lip. KUBI Neck NODO Throat DO Chest / side of body at ribs SUI GETSU Solar plexus. MUNE Chest. Particularily the area over the heart, in kendo, the embroidered part of the do above the do target. TE Hand. TE KUBI Wrist. OMOTE Open / palm of hand. KOTE Wrist (forearm). HIJI Elbow KATA Shoulder UDE Arm in general. URA Back of hand YUBI Finger / toe KOSHI Hip. HARA Abdomen. TANDEN Centre of balance, below navel. SEIKA TANDEN As per tanden. ASHI Foot or leg. ASHI KUBI The ankle. Philosophical concepts AIUCHI Mutual strike, strikes at the same time. BUDO Way of war. BUSHIDO Way of warrior. DAI KYO SOKU KEI Big strong fast smooth. DEHANA WAZA Strike at the outset, as opponent moves, like sen no waza. DO Activity, motion. FUSHIN Frozen or stopped mind. FUDOSHIN Immovable mind, calm spirit. FUKAKU Personal character. GOKAI Grandeur, large feeling, full motions. GO NO SEN NO WAZA (GO NO SEN) Strike at a suki, a mind stopping. Strike before the opponent forms the intention to strike. HEIJISHIN Ordinary mind. JO HA KYU Slow, faster, fastest. KAKE GOE Yelling to get extra energy. KENSEN Pressure from the sword, esp. the tip. KI Spirit, energy, inner strength. KI KEN TAI ICHI Spirit, sword, body, one. KIAI Shout, yell. KIME Sharpness of movement, positive end of cut or thrust. KIMOCHI Feeling, sensation. KIRYOKU Willpower. KOKORO, SHIN Mind. KOKYU Breath, breath power. MA Distance, space, interval (in time). MAWAI (MAAI) Mutual distance (in space. MUSHIN, MUSO No mind, no rationalization. MUGA No ego. MUNEN No thought. OI WAZA Chasing or following strikes, attack as opponent retreats. RIAI Unification of action and theory. SAE OF SWORDSMANSHIP The skill beyond technique only. SAYA NO UCHI NO KACHI Saya = scabbard, uchi = inside, kachi = victory. The sword in the saya, winning without drawing. SEN Initiative, to forestall. SEN NO WAZA (SEN) Strike faster than opponent, before attack delivered. SEN SEN NO WAZA (SEN NO SEN) Strike as opponent commits to an attack but before he moves. SEI Motionless, inactive. SHU HA RI Keep, break, leave. Memorize technique, question and understand, forget technique. SUKI Opening. SUTEMI Sacrifice technique, accept a blow to deliver one. | Japanese Sword Collector Terms Glossary of Japanese Sword Collectors terms From Richard Stien’s Japanese Sword Website http://home.earthlink.net/~steinrl/nihonto.htm AIKUCHI – a tanto with no tsuba (guard) AOI – hollyhock, commonly used as a Mon ARA-NIE – coarse or large nie ASHI – legs (streaks of nioi pointing down toward the edge) ATOBORI – horimono added at a later date ATO MEI – signature added at a later date AYASUGI – large wavey hada (grain) BAKUFU – military government of the Shogun BO-HI – large or wide groove BOKKEN – wooden sword for practicing sword kata BONJI – sanskrit carvings BO-UTSURI – faint utsuri BOSHI – temper line in kissaki (point) BU – Japanese measurement (approx 0.1 inch) BUKE – military man, samurai BUSHIDO -the code of the samurai CHIKEI – dark lines that appear in the ji CHISA KATANA – short katana CHOJI – clove shaped hamon CHOJI OIL – oil for the care of swords CHOJI-MIDARE – irregular choji hamon (temper line) CHOKUTO – prehistoric straight swords CHU – medium CHU-KISSAKI – medium sized point (kissaki) CHU-SUGUHA straight, medium width temper line DAI – great or large DAI-MEI – student smith signing his teacher’s name DAIMYO – feudal lord DAISHO – a matched pair of long and short swords DAITO – long sword (over 24 inches) FUCHI – collar on hilt FUCHI-KASHIRA – set of hilt collar (fuchi) and buttcap (kashira) FUKURA – curve of the ha or edge in the kissaki (point) FUKURE – flaw; usually a blister in the steel FUKURIN – rim cover of a tsuba FUNAGATA – ship bottom shaped nakago FUNBARI / FUMBARI – much taper of the blade from the machi to the kissaki FURISODE – shape of sword tang that resembling the sleeve of a kimono GAKU-MEI – original signature inlaid in a cut-off (o-suriage) tang GENDAITO – traditionally forged sword blades by modern smiths GIMEI – fake signature (mei) GIN – silver GOKADEN – the Five Schools of the Koto period GOMABASHI – parallel grooves GUNOME – undulating hamon GUNOME-MIDARE – irregularly undulating hamon GUNTO – army or military sword mountings GYAKU – angled back, reversed HA – cutting edge HABAKI – blade collar HABUCHI – the line of the hamon HADA – grain in steel, pattern of folding the steel HAGANE – steel HAGIRE -edge cracks in the hamon (fatal flaw) HAKIKAKE -broom swept portions in the boshi HAKO BA – box shaped hamon HAKO-MIDARE – uneven box shaped hamon HAKO-MUNE – square shaped blade back HAMACHI – notch at the beginning of the cutting edge HAMIDASHI – tanto or dagger with a small guard (tsuba) HAMON – temper pattern along blade edge HANDACHI – tachi mountings used on a katana or wakizashi HATARAKI – activities or workings within the hamon or temperline HAZUYA – finger stones used to show the hamon and hada HI – grooves in the blade HIRA-MUNE – flat blade backridge HIRA-TSUKURI / HIRA-ZUKURI – blade without a shinogi (flat blade) HIRO-SUGUHA – wide, straight temper line (hamon) HITATSURA – full tempered hamon HITSU / HITSU-ANA – holes in the tsuba for the kozuka or kogai HO – kozuka blade HONAMI – family of sword appraissers HORIMONO – arvings on sword blades HOTSURE – stray lines from hamon into the ji ICHI – one or first ICHIMAI – one-piece sword construction ICHIMAI BOSHI – point area (kissaki) that is fully tempered IHORI-MUNE – peaked back ridge IKUBI – boar’s neck (a short, wide kissaki) INAZUMA – lightning (a type of activity in the hamon) ITAME – wood grained hada ITO – silk or cotton hilt wrapping ITOMAKI NO TACHI – tachi with top of saya wrapped with ito ITO SUGU – thin, thread like hamon JI – sword surface between the shinogi and the hamon JI-GANE – surface steel JI-HADA – surface pattern of the hada JINDACHI – tachi JI-NIE – islands of nie in the ji JIZO BOSHI – boshi shaped like a priest’s head JUMONJI YARI – a yari with cross pieces JUYO TOKEN – highly important origami for sword by NBTHK JUZU – hamon like rosary beads KABUTO – helmet KABUTO-GANE – tachi style pommel cap KABUTO-WARI – helmet breaker KAEN – flame shaped boshi KAERI – turnback (refers to the boshi at the mune) KAI GUNTO – naval sword KAJI – swordsmith KAKIHAN – swordsmiths or tsuba makers monogram KAKU-MUNE – square back ridge KAMIKAZI – divine wind KANJI – Japanese characters KANMURI-OTOSHI – backridge beveled like a naginata KANTEI – sword appraisal KAO – carved monogram of swordsmith on tang (nakago) KASANE – thickness of blade KASHIRA – sword pommel or buttcap KATAKIRI – sword with one side flat (no shinogi) KATANA – sword worn in the obi, cutting edge up KATANA KAKE – sword stand KATANA-MEI – signature side that faces out when worn edge up KAWAGANE – skin or surface steel KAZU-UCHI MONO – mass produced swords KEBORI – line carving done on sword mounts KEN – straight double edged sword KENGYO – triangular or pointed nakago-jiri KESHO YASURIME – decorative file marks on nakago KIJIMATA – pheasant thigh shaped nakago KIJIMOMO – pheasant leg shaped nakago KIKU – chrysanthemum KIKUBA – chrysanthemum temperline (hamon) KIN – gold KINKO – soft metal sword fittings (not iron) KIN-MEI – gold inlay or gold lacquer appraiser’s signature KINZOGAN MEI – same a kin-mei KINSUJI – golden line (type of activity in hamon) KINZOGAN-MEI – attribution in gold inlay on nakago KINSUJI – whitish line along hamon KIRI – paulownia KIRI HA – flat sword with both sides beveled to the edge KIRI KOMI – sword cut or nick on the blade from another sword KISSAKI – point of blade KITAE – forging KIZU – flaw KO – old or small KOBUSE – blade constructed with hard steel around a soft core KO-CHOJI – small choji hamon KODACHI – small tachi KODOGU – all the sword fittings except the tsuba KOGAI – hair pick accessory KOIGUCHI – the mouth of the scabbard or its fitting KOJIRI – end of the scabbard KOKUHO – national treasure class sword KO-MARU – small round boshi KO-MIDARE – small irregular hamon KO-MOKUME – small wood grain hada KO-NIE – small or fine nie KO-NIE DEKI – composed of small nie KOSHIATE – leather suspensors (hangers) for a sword KOSHIRAE – sword mountings or fittings KOSHI-ZORI – curve of the blade is near the hilt KOTO – Old Sword Period (prior to about 1596) KOZUKA – handle of accessory knife KUBIKIRI – small tanto for cutting the neck or removing heads KUNI – province KURIJIRI – rounded nakago jiri KURIKARA – dragon horimono (engraving/carving) KURIKATA – scabbard (saya) fitting for attaching the sageo KUZURE – crumbling or disintegrating KWAIKEN – short knife carried by women MACHI – notches at the start of the ha and mune MACHI-OKURI – blade shortened by moving up the ha-machi and mune-machi MARU – round MARU-DOME – round groove ending MARU-MUNE – round mune MASAME – straight grain (hada) MEI – swordsmith’s signature MEIBUTSU – famous sword MEKUGI – sword peg MEKUGI-ANA – hole for mekugi MEMPO – face guard or mask MENUKI – hilt ornaments MIDARE – irregular, uneven temperline (hamon) MIDARE-KOMI – uneven pattern in boshi MIHABA – width of sword blade at the machi MIMIGATA – ear shaped hamon MITOKOROMONO – matching set of kozuka, kogai and menuki MITSU KADO – point where yokote, shinogi and ko-shinogi meet MITSU-MUNE – three-sided mune MIZUKAGE – hazy line in ji commonly due to re-tempering MOKKO – four lobe shaped (a tsuba shape) MOKUME – burl like hada MON – family crest MONOUCHI – main cutting portion of blade (first six inches from kissaki) MOROHA – double-edged sword MOTO-HABA – blade width near habaki MOTO-KASANE – blade thickness MU – empty or nothing MUJI – no visible grain MUMEI – no signature (unsigned blade) MUNE – back ridge of sword blade MUNEMACHI – notch at start of mune MUNEYAKI – regions of temper along the mune MU-SORI – no curvature N.B.T.H.K. – Nihon Bijutsu Token Hozon Kai (sword preservation group) NAGAMAKI – halberd weapon mounted as a sword NAGASA – blade length (from tip of kissaki to munemachi) NAGINATA – halberd NAKAGO – sword tang NAMBAN TETSU – foreign steel NANAKO – raised dimpling (fish roe) NAOSHI – corrected or repaired NASHIJI – hada like pear skin NENGO – Japanese era NIE – bright crystals in hamon or ji NIE-DEKI – hamon done in nie NIKU – meat (blade having lots of fullness) NIOI – cloud like hamon NIOI-DEKI – composed of nioi NIOI-GIRE – break in hamon NODACHI – large tachi worn by high officials NOTARE – wave like hamon NOTARE-MIDARE – irregular wave like hamon N.T.H.K.. – Nihon Token Hozon Kai (sword appraisal group) NUNOME – overlay metal-work O – large OBI – belt sash O-CHOJI – large choji hamon O-DACHI – very long sword (over 30 inches) O-KISSAKI – large kissaki O-MIDARE – large irregular hamon OMOTE – signature side of the nakago O-NIE – large nie O-NOTARE – large wave patterned hamon ORIGAMI – appraisal certificate ORIKAESHI MEI – folded signature OROSHIGANE – specially processed steel for making swords O-SEPPA – large seppa (usually on tachi) OSHIGATA – rubbing of the signature on the nakago O-SURIAGE – a shortened tang with the signature removed SAGEO – cord used for tying the saya to the obi SAGURI – catch-hook on saya SAIHA/SAIJIN – retempered sword SAKA – slanted SAKI – tip or point SAKI-HABA – blade width at yokote SAKI ZORI – curvature in the top third of the blade SAKU – made SAME’ – rayskin used for tsuka (handle) covering SAMURAI – Japanese warrior or the warrior class SANBONSUGI – “three cedars” (hamon with repeating three peaks) SAN-MAI – three-piece sword construction SAYA – sword scabbard SAYAGAKI – attribution on a plain wood scabbard SAYAGUCHI – mouth of the scabbard (koi-guchi) SAYASHI – scabbard maker SEKI-GANE – soft metal plugs in the tsuka hitsu-ana SEPPA – washers or spacers SHAKU – Japanese unit of measure approximately one foot SHAKUDO – copper and gold alloy used for sword fittings SHIBUICHI – copper and silver alloy used for sword fittings SHIKOMI-ZUE – sword cane SHINAE – ripples in steel due to bending of blade SHINAI – bamboo sword used in Kendo SHINGANE – soft core steel SHINOGI – ridgeline of the blade SHINOGI-JI – sword flat between the mune and shinogi SHINOGI-ZUKURI – sword with shinogi SHIN-SHINTO – New-New Sword Period (1781 to 1868) SHINTO – New Sword Period (1596 to 1781) SHIRASAYA – plain wood storage scabbard SHITODOME – small collars in the kurikata and/or kashira SHOBU ZUKURI – blade where shinogi goes to the tip of the kissaki (no yokote) SHOGUN – supreme military leader SHOTO – short sword (between 12 and 24 inches) SHOWATO – sword made during the Showa Era (usually refers to low quality blades) SHUMEI – red lacquer signature SHURIKEN – small throwing knife SORI – curvature SUDARE-BA – bamboo blinds effects in hamon SUE – late or later SUGATA – shape of sword blade SUGUHA – straight temper line SUKASHI – cut out SUN – Japanese measure, approx. one inch SUNAGASHI – activity in hamon like brushed sand SURIAGE – shortened tang TACHI – long sword worn with cutting-edge down TACHI-MEI – signature facing away from body when worn edge down TAKABORI – high relief carving TAKANOHA – hawk feather style of yasurime TAMAHAGANE – raw steel for making swords TAMESHIGIRI – cutting test TAMESHI-MEI – cutting test inscription TANAGO – fish belly shaped nakago TANAGO-BARA – fish belly shaped nakago TANTO – dagger or knife with blade less than 12 inches TATARA – smith’s smelter for making sword steel TO – sword TOBIYAKI – islands of tempering in the ji TOGARI – pointed TOGI – sword polish or polisher TORAN – high wave like hamon TORII-ZORI – sword curve in the middle of the blade TSUBA – sword guard TSUCHI – small hammer/awl for removing mekugi TSUKA – sword handle TSUKA-GUCHI – mouth of handle TSUKA-ITO – handle wrapping or tape TSUKAMAKI – art of wrapping the handle of a sword TSUKURI / ZUKURI – sword TSUKURU – made by or produced by TSUNAGI – wooden sword blade to display fittings TSURUGI – double edged, straight sword UBU – original, complete, unaltered tang (nakago) UCHIGATANA – fighting katana UCHIKO – fine powder used to clean sword blades UCHIZORI – curved inward UMABARI – horse needle UMA-HA – horse teeth hamon UMEGANE – plug used to repair kizu URA – side of the nakago facing toward the body URA-MEI – signed on the ura (usually the date) UTSURI – reflection of temperline in ji WAKIZASHI – short sword (blade between 12 and 24 inches) WARE – opening in the steel WARI-BASHI / WARI-KOGAI – chop-sticks YAKI DASHI – straight temperline near the hamachi YA-HAZU – arrow notch shaped hamon YAKIBA – hardened, tempered sword edge YAKIDASHI – hamon beginning just above the ha-machi YAKIHABA – width of yakiba YAKI-IRE – fast quenching of sword (tempering) YAKIZUME – temperline in boshi with no turnback YANONE – arrow head YARI – spear YASURIME – file marks on nakago YOKOTE – line between ji and kissaki YOROIDOSHI – armor piercing tanto ZOGAN – inlay ZUKURI – sword |
