Blade / Ha - The flat cutting edge of a tool or weapon. Forge / Fōji - Make or shape (a metal object) by heating it in a fire or furnace and beating or hammering it.

“The primary thing when you take a sword in your hands is your intention to cut the enemy, whatever the means. Whenever you parry, hit, spring, strike or touch the enemy's cutting sword, you must cut the enemy in the same movement. It is essential to attain this.” - Miyamoto Musashi


The Japanese Sword is considered a piece of art, a weapon of death and a symbol of leadership and power of the ruling Emperors and the ruling Shogunate throughout the history of Japan.

My goal with Blade Forge is to add to the world and mythology of Shokai and share with the reader the History, Terminology, Types, Parts and the Creation of the Japanese Sword from various, books, articles, readings and other sources I find in my research. I will also tell the story of how the Nakagami Family sword The Eclipse Blade forged here.







The first Haitōrei of 1870 prohibited farmers or merchants from wearing swords and dressing like samurai. This measure was in part an effort to restore public safety and order during the tumultuous period immediately after the Meiji Restoration and during the Boshin War.

In 1876, the Meiji government enacted the Sword Abolishment Edict, which prohibited the carrying of swords in public. This law was intended to modernize Japan and bring it in line with the Western powers, and it effectively ended the samurai class's privileged status.

Kendo - is one of traditional Japanese martial arts, or budo, that arose from the samurai, or warrior in feudal Japan, fighting with bamboo "swords."Kendo players wear protective gear like armor over kimono-like training wear. /

Kenjutsu - is a compound of ken (the sword) and jutsu (art or technique).
Kenjutsu is an umbrella term for all (ko-budō) schools of Japanese swordsmanship, in particular those that predate the Meiji Restoration.
Some modern styles of kendo and iaido that were established in the
20th century also included modern forms of kenjutsu in their curriculum

It is also one of the four central martial arts (bujutsu) of pre-modern Japan. The two primary skills concerning the sword are kenjutsu and battōjutsu.

Bokken / Bokuto (bok(u), "wood", and ken, "sword") - is a Japanese wooden sword used for training in kenjutsu. It is usually the size and shape of a katana, but is sometimes shaped like other swords, such as the wakizashi and tantō.

Kensei sometimes rendered in English as Kensai, Ken Sai, Kensei, or Kenshei) is a Japanese honorary title given to a warrior of legendary skill in swordsmanship.

Bladesmithing / Forging - is the art of making knives, swords, daggers and other blades using a forge, hammer, anvil, and other smithing tools


The primary techniques are forging and stock removal. Forging uses heat to bring the material to a malleable state. The material is then hammered to shape, typically using hammer and anvil together with specialized set and fuller tools depending on the particular technique.

Katana-makers use two types of tamahagane: high-carbon, which is very hard and allows for a razor-sharp edge, and low-carbon, which is very tough and allows for shock absorption. A sword composed simply of one kind of steel or the other would either dull too quickly or be too brittle.

Because of its strength, longevity and edge retention, high-carbon steel is generally regarded as the best choice for a sword. Although distinctive and attractive blades can be made from other types of steel.

  • Habaki: (Blade collar): Small square metal collar around the base of the blade.

  • Hamon: (Edge pattern): Waveform marks found on the edge of the blade resulting from the fire for tempering and cooling during the coating process of clay.

  • Hi: (Groove): Lengthwise depression of the blade, used to lighten the piece and avoid the stress of concentrated shock that can break or bend the blade of the sword.

  • Mune: (Back): Back edge of the blade of the sword. This is the part of the blade is not sharp.

  • Kashira: (Pommel): Pommel or knob found on the bottom of the handle.

  • Kissaki: (Point): Rounded tip of the sword, and the most difficult part to polish.

  • Mei: Signature of the dealer, usually on the Nakago (shaft).

  • Mekugis: Bamboo pins that function as screws keeping the spike, “nakago” in place under the handle (tsuka). These pins must be durable, but flexible enough not to break the sword when it is struck.

  • Menuki: small ornaments or sculptures (usually of animals) on the side of the handle. Traditionally used to indicate the nature of the sword holder.

  • Nagasa: Whole blade of the Katana (length).

  • Nakago: (Shaft):  Shaft of the sword that goes into the handle.

  • Sageo: (Hanging cord): Strap which attaches the scabbard to the belt.

  • Samé: (Ray skin):  Tsuka (handle) backing. It used to be made of shark or ray skin to prevent slippage of Tsuka-Ito.

  • Saya: (Scabbard): Sheath that protects the blade from damage and protects every person who comes close to the blade. They are usually made of wood.

  • Tsuba: (Guard):  Hand guard. It’s a work of art in itself made by the clans and dynasties responsible for ‘tsuba’.

  • Tsuka: (Handle): Handle or grip that is wrapped with a cloth or string: the tsukaito.

  • Yokote: line between the tip of the rest of the blade

More to come.