A sword (刀剣, Tōken) is a weapon consisting of a long, bladed strip of metal and a long grip to accommodate two hands. It is used exclusively for melee combat for the purpose of cutting and/or piercing opponents or other desired targets of the wielder's choosing.
Overview
In Japan, swords are most commonly carried and used by samurai, or those who call themselves swordsmen, as they have expertise in wielding the weapon. From a samurai's perspective, the sword they wield represents their soul as a warrior and to mistreat it, such as having it stolen or to use parts of it for other purposes, would be viewed as being disgraceful. Skilled swordsmen measure the quality of a sword on targets to align with the skills of its wielder. This practice is used as a form of punishment for convicted criminals by having a samurai serve as an executioner and using their sword to decapitate the criminal in question. Other targets for test cutting includes corpses. The Yamada clan is well-known for carrying out this practice with exemplary skill and have even developed their own unique style of swordsmanship that utilizes their blade-testing abilities.
While swords are primarily wielded by samurai, criminals and shinobi also have the choice of using them as well.
Classifications
Meito
A meitō (名刀, Literally meaning: named blade) is a sword that has been given a name as a reflection of its exceptional quality and fame. The only known meitō in the series is Fuributsu Kaneki wielded by Yamada Asaemon Shugen.
Types
| Image | Name | Description | Wielders | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Katana (刀) |
A sword characterized by its curved, single-edged blade with a circular or squared guard. Katanas are the favored swords for samurai. | ||
|
Wakizashi (脇差, Literally meaning: side inserted sword) |
A short sword, being roughly between 30 and 60 cm (12 and 24 in) in length, with a design similar to a katana. When carried alongside a katana, the pair of swords are called a "daishō" (大小, big-little), with the wakizashi being used as a side weapon. |
Nurugai Yamada Asaemon Tenza Yuzuriha | |
|
Dao (刀, Pinyin: Dāo, Literally meaning: knife) |
A straight or curved, single-edged broadsword mainly used for slashing and chopping. | Aza Chōbei | |
| Other | ||||
|
Hook Sword | A short sword with a hook blade at the tip. | Yamada Asaemon Fuchi | |
|
Douzukinoko Sword | A short sword with a backsaw as the blade, lack of a tsuba, and a short hilt with handle wrappings. | Yamada Asaemon Fuchi | |
|
Katana Naginata | A pair of katanas that are capable of linking by the hilt to form a naginata. | Yamada Asaemon Isuzu | |
| Kunai • Sword (Fuributsu Kaneki) | |
| Kikatsugan (Hyōrōgan • Suikatsugan) • Senta's Glasses | |
| Asayamagan • Shizankō • Yurakushirazu | |
| Basin • Horse Flute • Waitanhua Flower (Banko) | |
| Tan (Elixir of Life) | |
| Kyōshi | |