Quick answer: a katana is easiest to understand in three groups: the blade, the handle and fittings, and the saya or scabbard. Product photos usually show all three, but buyers often miss the small terms that explain what they are seeing.
This guide keeps the terminology practical. It is not meant to turn every visitor into a historian; it helps you read product pages, custom options, and sword photos with more confidence.
NIMOFAN field guide · source-verified V1
Select a label to see where the term belongs on a representative NIMOFAN katana. Some labels describe visible fittings, while others describe a blade feature or measurement rather than a removable part. Fittings, finishes, proportions, and construction details vary by model.
Drawn view · representative NIMOFAN katana
Exploded fittings view · not a disassembly photograph
Blade labels are ready. Hover to preview on desktop, or select a label on any device.
Hover to preview on desktop. Click, press Enter or Space, or tap to lock the numbered location and read its source boundary.
1 / Blade — Tōshin
Tōshin refers to the steel blade itself. In this view, the exposed blade runs from immediately in front of the habaki to the kissaki; the concealed tang is identified separately as nakago.
Source boundary: Do not use nagasa as the Japanese name for the blade, and do not infer the concealed tang or internal construction from this exterior view.
2 / Kissaki
The kissaki is the point section at the end of the blade. Its outline is easiest to compare in a clear side view, while the transition into the tip may require a close-up.
Source boundary: Do not infer polish quality or geometry from a distant photograph.
3 / Yokote
The yokote is the line that separates the kissaki from the main body of many shinogi-zukuri blades. Some blade geometries do not show a distinct yokote.
Source boundary: Do not present the feature as universal.
4 / Ha
The ha is the cutting-edge side of the blade. A photograph can identify its location, but sharpness and edge condition must be confirmed from the specific product information.
Source boundary: Never infer sharpness or cutting readiness from the diagram.
5 / Mune
The mune is the back or spine of the blade opposite the cutting edge. It helps readers orient the blade in side-view and cross-section diagrams.
Source boundary: The image does not prove spine thickness or cross-section.
6 / Shinogi
The shinogi is the longitudinal ridge found on many katana blade geometries. Angled light normally reveals it more clearly than a flat side photograph.
Source boundary: Do not claim every blade has the same ridge geometry.
7 / Hamon
Hamon refers to the visible pattern associated with differential hardening on traditionally treated blades. A decorative or etched line can look similar, so the specific product description must confirm the process.
Source boundary: Do not equate every visible line with clay tempering.
8 / Bo-hi
A bo-hi is a groove running along part of the blade. It is a design and geometry feature, not a standard component on every katana.
Source boundary: Do not promise weight, sound or performance effects for the pictured product without evidence.
9 / Boshi
Boshi is the continuation of a hardened pattern into the kissaki on a differentially hardened blade. It normally requires suitable polish, lighting and close inspection to identify.
Source boundary: Do not place a confident hotspot when the selected photograph cannot show it.
10 / Nagasa
Nagasa is the blade-length measurement taken in a straight line from the notch near the habaki to the tip. It is a measurement, not a removable part of the sword.
Source boundary: Use an illustrative measurement line; do not publish a product dimension unless verified.
11 / Sori
Sori describes the curvature of the blade. It is measured rather than removed, and the amount and location of curvature vary by blade.
Source boundary: Do not label it as a fitting or universal curve value.
12 / Habaki
The habaki is the collar fitted around the base of the blade immediately in front of the guard assembly. It is also the part that seats at the mouth of the saya.
Source boundary: Material and exact fit belong to the specific product.
13 / Seppa
Seppa are thin spacers positioned around the tsuba in the mounting. In an assembled side view, only their edges may be visible.
Source boundary: Do not claim a fixed number for every mounting.
14 / Tsuba
The tsuba is the guard between the blade and handle. Its shape, material and decoration vary widely, making it one of the easiest fittings to identify in product photographs.
Source boundary: Do not infer material or historical style without product evidence.
15 / Fuchi
The fuchi is the collar at the front end of the tsuka, next to the guard assembly. It is commonly paired visually with the kashira at the other end.
Source boundary: Pairing and material vary by mounting.
16 / Tsuka
The tsuka is the handle assembly of the sword. It can include a wood core, surface panels, wrap, ornaments, pins and metal fittings, but the exact construction must be checked for the specific model.
Source boundary: Do not imply one construction method across all products.
17 / Samegawa
Samegawa refers to the ray-skin surface traditionally used on the tsuka. On production swords, the visible texture and material specification should be confirmed from the product listing.
Source boundary: Do not call a texture genuine ray skin unless verified.
18 / Tsuka-ito
Tsuka-ito is the wrap around the handle. Color, material, tension and wrapping pattern are model-specific and should be judged from current product media and specifications.
Source boundary: The explorer identifies the wrap but does not certify its material or tightness.
19 / Menuki
Menuki are small ornaments positioned beneath or within the handle wrap. Their design and placement can be partly hidden by the ito.
Source boundary: Do not infer material, age or symbolic meaning without evidence.
20 / Mekugi
Mekugi are pins used in the blade-and-handle assembly. A side photograph may show their exposed ends, but the number, material and internal fit require product-specific confirmation.
Source boundary: Do not promise a number, material or performance based on appearance alone.
21 / Kashira
The kashira is the fitting at the end of the tsuka. It finishes the handle visually and forms part of the mounting assembly.
Source boundary: Exact construction and fastening vary.
22 / Saya
The saya is the scabbard that houses the blade. Its finish, color, fittings and fit vary by model, so the explorer identifies the object rather than certifying its materials or retention.
Source boundary: Do not infer wood, lacquer or fit from a generic photograph.
23 / Koiguchi
The koiguchi is the opening or mouth of the saya where the habaki seats when the sword is sheathed. It is easiest to identify in a close view of the upper end of the scabbard.
Source boundary: Do not claim fit quality from the visual alone.
24 / Kurigata
The kurigata is the projection on the saya through which the sageo is routed or attached. Its form and position vary with the mounting.
Source boundary: Not every scabbard presentation uses the same fitting.
25 / Sageo
The sageo is the cord attached to the saya at the kurigata. Its color, material and tying style are specific to the mounting shown.
Source boundary: Do not claim traditional material or use without product evidence.
26 / Kojiri
Kojiri refers to the lower end of the saya and, in some mountings, the fitting that protects or decorates that end. It may be plain or fitted depending on the sword.
Source boundary: Do not imply a separate metal fitting when the selected saya does not have one.
27 / Nakago
The nakago is the tang: the section of the blade concealed inside the tsuka. Because it is hidden in an assembled sword, it should be shown only in a verified schematic or disassembly photograph.
Source boundary: Never invent its length, shape, holes or signature from the exterior image.
Exploded view separates only source-supported visible groups. Measurements and concealed structures never move as parts.
Shown on a representative NIMOFAN katana; fittings, materials, finishes, proportions, and construction details vary by model.
The blade terms are most useful when you compare full-length photos and close-up photos. They explain shape, edge, curvature, and the visual line of the steel.
| Term | Plain-English meaning | What to check on a product page |
|---|---|---|
| Kissaki | The point or tip of the blade. | Look at the tip shape and whether close-up photos are clear. |
| Ha / Hasaki | The cutting edge area. | Check whether the listing offers sharp or unsharpened options. |
| Mune | The back edge or spine of the blade. | Use side photos to understand blade thickness and profile. |
| Hamon | The visible temper line or hamon-style visual line on the blade. | Do not assume every visible line means the same heat treatment. Read the product steel and tempering details. |
| Nagasa | The blade length, usually measured from the base to the tip. | Use this with overall length to judge display space and shipping expectations. |
| Sori | The curvature of the blade. | Compare full-length photos; curvature changes the feel of the entire sword. |
| Shinogi / Shinogi-ji | The ridge line and flat area near it on many katana blade shapes. | These are easier to judge in clear angled photos than in product names. |
Handle and fitting terms help you compare style, comfort, and display character. On many product pages, these details create the strongest visual difference between two otherwise similar swords.
Tsuka is the handle. Ito is the wrap. Samegawa refers to ray-skin style texture under or around the wrap. Check color, wrap pattern, and whether the handle matches the overall sword theme.
Tsuba is the guard. Seppa are spacers near the guard. Habaki is the blade collar. These small metal parts can make a sword feel simple, ornate, anime-inspired, or traditional.
Fuchi is the handle collar, kashira is the pommel, and menuki are grip ornaments. They are small, but they often decide whether a display sword feels finished.
The saya is not just storage. In ecommerce photos, it often controls the first impression because color, gloss, cord, and fittings are easy to see even before the blade is drawn.
| Term | Meaning | Buyer note |
|---|---|---|
| Saya | The scabbard. | Compare color, finish, pattern, and how it looks beside the handle. |
| Koiguchi | The mouth of the scabbard. | Usually a small detail, but important in close-up custom photos. |
| Sageo | The cord tied to the scabbard. | Color and tying style can affect the whole display look. |
| Shirasaya | A plain wooden mounting style. | Do not confuse it with a fully fitted decorative katana mount. |
| Kozane-style decoration | A decorative scale-like surface used on some custom scabbard designs. | This is a custom visual option, not a standard part on every katana. |
Use the terms to check whether the product photos match the title. A good ready-made page should show the blade, tsuka, tsuba, saya, and full length clearly enough for comparison.
Custom katana decisions are easier when you separate blade, polish, fittings, handle wrap, saya, and inscription. Ask about details early because major changes can add time once production starts.
Character names help you find the right area, but the final choice should come from actual product media and specifications. Inspired swords should not be treated as official merchandise unless stated clearly.
Use these pages only when they answer your next question. The goal is to make comparison easier, not to click everything.
Start with blade length, blade finish, tsuba, tsuka, saya, and edge option. These are the details most likely to affect display appearance and buyer expectations.
No. A visible hamon or hamon-style line should be checked against the product description. Read the listed steel and tempering details before assuming how the blade was made.
Tsuka is the handle. Saya is the scabbard. The tsuka affects grip and handle appearance; the saya affects storage, color balance, and display style.
Many custom builds let you choose blade style, steel, polish, tsuba, handle wrap, saya, fittings, and inscription. Check the custom builder and contact NIMOFAN if a detail needs confirmation.
Terms help you understand a sword, but photos show the actual finish, proportion, color, and fit. When the title and photos feel different, trust the current product media and specifications.
