Mainsa dha
Term coined by Bell in 1907, describing a dha that by then was mainly of Chinese make.
Kuíwén (夔紋)
Chinese decorative pattern consisting of archaic dragon motifs.
Hachiwari (鉢割)
Language: Japanese
Origin: Old literature
Hirado Kunishige (平戸市國重)
A group of Japanese sword fitting makers working on the island of Hirado.
Musashi Taro Yasukuni (武蔵太郎安国)
A Japanese swordsmith who lived between 1650-1730.
Shihōzume-gitae (四方詰め鍛え)
Japanese word for a sword construction with a high carbon edge, low carbon core, medium carbon sides and a separate back.
Hon-sanmai-gitae (本三枚鍛え)
Japanese word for a sword construction with a high carbon edge plate under a soft core, flanked by medium steel.
Sanmai-gitae (三枚鍛え)
Japanese word for a sword construction with a center high carbon edge plate.
Wariha-gitae / wariba-gitea (割刃鍛え)
Japanese term for a sword construction with an inserted edge made of higher carbon steel.
Hyoshigi-gitae (拍子木鍛え)
Japanese term for a sword construction with an edge made of higher carbon steel.
Maru-gitae (丸鍛え)
Japanese word for a basic blade construction consisting of one type of steel.
Shin jūgomai kōbuse-gitae (真十五枚甲伏鍛え)
Japanese sword construction that is was found inscribed on some tangs.
Kōbuse-gitae (甲伏せ鍛え)
Japanese word for a sword construction with high carbon steel outer jacket around a softer core.
Kanetuhu / Etuhu
Ainu words for the point of a knife or sword.
Notak
Ainu word for the edge of a sharp tool like a knife.
Mekkashike
Ainu word for the back of a knife, or sword. Also the ridge of a mountain or house.
Makiri-saya
Ainu word for the scabbard of a utility knife called makiri.
Makiri-nip
Ainu word for a knife handle.
Ibehe
Ibehe is an Ainu word for a knife or sword blade.
Nioi (匂)
Japanese word for fine martensite crystals in the blade's temperline.
Nie (沸)
Japanese word for martensite crystals that form in blade under certain conditions.
Yoki Wazamono (良業物)
Japanese term for a sword with the third highest rated cutting ability.
Ō Wazamono (大業物)
Japanese term for a sword with the second highest rated cutting ability.
Saijō Ō Wazamono (最上大業物)
Japanese term for a sword with the highest rated cutting ability.
Wazamono (業物)
Japanese term for a sword that is tested to cut well.
Tametsugu (為継)
A Japanese swordsmith in the Shōshū tradition.
Itomaki no tachi (糸巻太刀)
Japanese term for a type of tachi koshirae.
Koshirae (拵)
Japanese term for the mountings of an edged weapon.
Makiri-ibe
Ainu word for knife blade.
Kuttom-ushbe
Ainu word for a long knife worn in the belt.
Emushi
Ainu word for sword
Makiri
Ainu word for a knife.
Kunikiyo (國清)
A line of Japanese swordsmiths working in Echizen.
Bizen Sukesada
A group of sword makers in Bizen, Japan, active in the Muromachi period.
Yosōzaemon jo Sukesada (与三左衛門尉祐定)
A Japanese swordsmith from Osafune, Bizen, who lived from 1466-1542.
Yari (槍)
Japanese word for spear or spearhead
Kusabi-hi (楔樋)
Japanese term for an irregular hamon sometimes found on spearheads
Yajirigata yari (鏃形槍)
Japanese for arrowhead-shaped spearhead
Uchigatana (打刀)
Japanese word for a single-handed curved sword, the predecessor of the katana.
Lìngjiàn (令箭) or "Command Arrow"
A special arrow used to prove one's authority.
Lóngyuān (龍渊)
The former name of Lóngquán, a famous sword-making town in China.
Hamon (刃文)
Japanese term for the temperline on a blade, typically achieved by differential heat treatment.
Tūnkǒu (吞口)
Literally "swallowing mouth", a collar piece often found on Chinese blades.
Suàntóu gūduǒ (蒜頭骨朵)
Literally "garlic mace", the name of a mace with a bulbous head.
Jūn Huǒ Jú (軍火局)
Name of a Chinese arms factory just east of Guangzhou, active 1875 onwards.
Duǎnjiàn (短劍)
The Chinese word for a short straightsword.
Nanako (魚子/斜子)
The Japanese name for punched, dotted surface finishes on metal.
Shakudō (赤銅)
A Japanese alloy containing copper and gold.
Lóngquán (龍泉)
A town in Zhejiang province, China, known as a sword making center.