Before buying or owning a katana, we first need to understand the parts of a katana. It will help you get a better choice of what is more suitable. On this article, we review the sword parts.

1.kissaki: fan-shaped cutting tip;point
2.boshi: wave-pattern of the tip
3.mune: blunt, back edge of the blade
4.hasaki: cutting edge
5.hamon: wave pattern
6.shinogi-suji: the ridge running the length of the blade
7.ji: area between the ha and the shinogi
8.shinogi-ji: flat surface between the shinogi and the mune
9.ha: tempered edge of the blade
10.munemachi: notch dividing the tang and the mune
11.hamachi: notch dividing the tang and the ha
12.mekugi-ana: peg-hole13.nakago yasyri-me:tang file-mark pattern
14.mei: signature
15.nakago: tang
16.nakago-jiri: butt of the tang
17.fuchi: metal sleeve at the end of the hilt
18.tsuka-maki: wrappings on the hilt
19.same,sharkskin: actually the skin of a giant ray
20.menuki: decorative metal fitting placed under the hilt wrappings
21.tsuba: sword quard
22.habaki: metal collar around the blade,just below the quard
23.kogai/kozuka: skewer/small knife
24.kurigata: chestnut-shape`:cord knob of scabbard
25.sageo: cord that passes through the kurigata
26.saya: scabbard
27:koi-kuchi: carp mouth, metal fitting at the end of the scabbard