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Termes clés du monde des sabres japonais
刃文（はもん）
Hamon
The boundary pattern between the blade edge and body created during quenching
地鉄（じがね）
Jihada / Jigane
The forging pattern and texture of the blade's steel
沸（にえ）
Nie
Coarse martensite particles forming the hamon
匂（におい）
Nioi
Fine misty particles forming the hamon
金筋（きんすじ）
Kinsuji
Golden linear streaks appearing within the hamon
砂流し（すながし）
Sunagashi
Sand-like streaming patterns within the hamon
映り（うつり）
Utsuri
A misty white reflection appearing on the jihada
中心（なかご）
Nakago
The tang of the blade that fits inside the handle, where the mei is inscribed
反り（そり）
Sori
The degree of curvature of the blade
刃長（はちょう）
Nagasa
The length from the tip to the boundary of the tang
白鞘（しらさや）
Shirasaya
A plain wooden storage scabbard
拵え（こしらえ）
Koshirae
Decorative sword mountings
鍔（つば）
Tsuba
A metal hand guard fitted at the base of the blade
目貫（めぬき）
Menuki
Decorative ornaments on the handle
縁頭（ふちかしら）
Fuchi-kashira
Metal fittings at the top and bottom of the handle
小柄（こづか）
Kozuka
The handle of a small utility knife fitted in the scabbard
笄（こうがい）
Kogai
A skewer-like implement fitted in the scabbard
打粉（うちこ）
Uchiko
Fine polishing stone powder used for blade maintenance
丁子油（ちょうじあぶら）
Choji Oil
Clove oil used to prevent rust on the blade
銘（めい）
Mei
The swordsmith's signature inscribed on the tang