JAPANESE KATANA SWORD GLOSSARY

• Hamon: border between the tempered cutting edge of a blade and the untempered part of the rest of the sword.
• Kissaki: the point of the blade, separated from the body of the sword by the Yokote.
  
• Koiguchi: opening of the Saya.
  
• Kojiri: end piece on the Saya; it's called Sayajiri as well.
• Kurigata: Knob on the Omote side of the Saya with a hole for the Sageo to go through.
  
• Mei: swordsmith's signature, usually on the Nakago.
• Mekugi-Ana: hole for the Mekugi.
  
• Mekugis: bamboo (usally) pegs used to secure Tsuka to Nakago.
  
• Menuki: decorative metal pieces fitted on the Tsuba to improve grip on the sword.
• Moto-Haba: blade width at the bottom of the blade.
  
• Moto-Kasane: blade thickness at the bottom of the blade.
  
• Mune: back edge of a blade.
  
• Nagasa: blade lenght.
  
• Nakago: tang, unseen extension of the blade under the Tsuka.
• Sageo: cord, usually made of silk, attached to the Kurikata of the Saya.
• Saki-Haba:blade width from the Kissaki.
• Samé:the belly portion of stingray skin used on top of the wooden Tsuka and below the Ito to improve grip.
  
• Saya: scabbard for the sword.
• Seppa: a pair of brass (usually) washers around the Tsuba, between the handle and the blade.
  
• Shitodome: brass (usaully) pieces that fit into the Kashira before the handle is wrapped.
  
• Sori: curve.
• Sugata: shape of the blade
• Tsuba: hand guard for a sword, different kinds of decoration.
  
• Tsuka: handle of the sword
  
• Tsuka-Ito: cotton or silk braid used to wrap the Tsuka.
• Yokote: demarcation line separating the blade from the beginning of the Kissaki.