Styles in the Shape of Blades

SHINOGI-ZUKURI

The most general style for TACHI/KATANA and WAKIZASHI (long swords).

(=> kissaki types in shinogi-zukuri style)

1) The ridge line (shinogi) is in normal height.



2) The ridge line is higher.





HIRA-ZUKURI

The most general style for TANTO.





SHOBU-ZUKURI

It is like SHINOGI-ZUKURI, but without YOKOTE line. an example: Wakizashi, Shikkake





KIRIHA-ZUKURI

Usually in the case of the blades without curvature before 9th century. It is learned from China.

1) The blade has YOKOTE line.



2) The blade does not have YOKOTE line.



3) The kissaki is double edged. It is also Kissaki-moroha-zukuri.





KATA-KIRIHA-ZUKURI

1) One side is KIRIHA-ZUKURI, another side is HIRA-ZUKURI. an example: Naohiro3





2) One side is KIRIHA-ZUKURI, another side is SHINOGI-ZUKURI.





3) One side is KIRIHA-ZUKURI, another side is SHOBU-ZUKURI.





KANMURI-OTOSHI-ZUKURI

The thickness on the back becomes thinner from the half of the blade towards the tip.

1) The base is SHINOGI-ZUKURI. an example: Naohiro2

In the case of NAGINATA, this type or UNOKUBI-ZUKURI(1) is common.



2) The base is HIRA-ZUKURI.





UNOKUBI-ZUKURI

It is similar to the KANMURI-OTOSHI-ZUKURI, but the back turns to thick near the KISSAKI.

1) The base is SHINOGI-ZUKURI.

In the case of NAGINATA, this type or KANMURI-OTOSHI-ZUKURI(1) is common.



2) The base is HIRA-ZUKURI.





MOROHA-ZUKURI

A double edged blade that is asymmetric for the ridge line. an example: Naohiro8





OSORAKU-ZUKURI

The KISSAKI part is bigger than the half of the blade's length.

Usually in TANTO type. an example: Naohiro6





KISSAKI-MOROHA-ZUKURI

The forward part of the blade is double edged. an example: Naohiro4



A curved kissaki-moroha-zukuri style blade is especially called "Kogarasu-maru" style. "Kogarasu-maru" is the nickname of one very famous sword in that style. It was a treasure of the Taira family in 12th century, and now in the imperial collection. an example: Naohiro12

The Kogarasu-maru in the imperial collection





RYO-SHINOGI-ZUKURI

A symmetric double edged blade.

The cross section is like a diamond .





HIRA-SANKAKU-ZUKURI

The cross section is a triangle. Mainly for YARI (lance). an example: Naohiro9





