Main Parts of a Sword

There are two main parts of the sword:
(1) The blade
(2) The mountings

Composite of the blade:

 The point (Kissaki):
The point is the most difficult part of a sword to forge and to polish. The value of the sword is mainly determined by the condition of its point. Tempered lines (boshi) on a point need not necessarily be identical on both sides of the blade. Points can be classified into different types of the blade regardless of size, by size and shape, or by their tempered lines (boshi).

Dividing line of surface and point (Yokote)
Ridgeline (Shinogi): This line will not found on hira-zukuri blades.
Upper surface or ridge area (Shinogi-ji): Wide or narrow

Surface (Ji) and surface decoration:
- Grooves: were made for preventing the sword from bending and to lesser weight originally. Gradually were made for pure decoration.
- Carvings and inscriptions: A sword is not necessarily a good sword only because of its carvings or inscriptions on its surface or upper surface.

Tempered line (Yaki-ba): It is a continuous straight or wavelike line running the length of the blade. When skillfully polished, the tempered line, which is the hardest part of the steel, takes on a white color. It represents the most beautiful feature of samurai swords and is the most important item in their appraisal.

Back or top ridge (Mune)

Curvature (Sori): It is measured at the top ridge of a sword. Curvatures are classified into 2 types: deep and shallow.

Tang (Nakago): It fits in the handle or hilt. It is important in appraising samurai swords because they often reveal the date of a sword’s construction and the identity of its maker. It can be classified by the shapes of tangs, shape of tips of tangs, file marks on tangs (yasuri-me), rivet hole in the tang (mekugi-ana) or the inscriptions on tangs.