A matched pair of long and short swords (katana and wakizashi), symbol of samurai status.

Imperial guard tachi; ceremonial swords used by palace guards, typically featuring elaborate decoration and fittings.

Modern traditionally-forged sword; blades made by smiths after 1876 using traditional tamahagane and forging methods. Distinguished from showato (non-traditionally made military blades).

Half-tachi; a sword style between tachi and katana, typically shorter than standard tachi.

A long sword worn edge-up, thrust through the belt. Became standard from the Muromachi period onward.

Sword-shaped; referring to straight, double-edged blade forms or decorative elements mimicking ancient ken.

Small side sword; a short wakizashi typically measuring under 40cm in blade length.

A short tachi, smaller than a standard tachi but larger than a wakizashi.

A weapon with a blade similar to a tachi but with an exceptionally long handle wrapped in cord.

A polearm with a curved, single-edged blade mounted on a long shaft, used by samurai, warrior monks (sohei), and trained in the traditional martial arts.

Extra-long tachi sword, typically over 3 shaku (90cm), used ceremonially or by foot soldiers.

Great sword; an extra-large tachi, typically over 90cm, used ceremonially or by cavalry.