AIUCHI - Mutual cut resulting in the death of both combatants.

ASAI - Suspension fittings on the Saya of a Gunto (WWII military sword).

BO-HI - The groove running along the side of the blade to reduce weight.

BOKKEN - Wooden practice sword.

BONJI - Sanscrit characters carved on the side of some blades.

BOSHI - The area at the Kissaki between the tip and the Yokote.

BUSHI - A Samurai

BUSHI-DO - The code of conduct of the samurai.

CHI-BURI - Movement made to shake blood off the blade of the sword.

CHOJI - A temper pattern also oil to lubricate the blade.

CHOKUTO - Earliest Japanese sword, straight double edged blade.

CHU-DAN - Mid level.

CHU-KISSAKI - Tip of the sword, medium size.

DIMYO - Heriditary of a family group from earliest Japanese history to the end of the Edo period.

DAI-SHO - Pair of swords, Daito and Shoto, customarily worn by the Samurai.

DAI-TO - Longer of the two swords worn by the Samurai.

EDO - Early name for Tokyo, capital during the Tokugawa period.

FUCHI - End cap of the handle nearest the Tsuba through which the tang goes.

GE-DAN - Lower level.

GEN-DAI - A traditionally made Japanese sword of modern day manufacture.

GUNTO - A WWII military sword, usually machine made.

GYAKU-KESA - A 45 degree cut made from below upward.

HA - The sharp edge of the blade of a sword.

HABAKI - The collar that wedges the blade into the mouth of the Saya.

HADA - The grain on the blade resulting from forging and welding.

HADARI - Left side.

HAGIRE - A crack at right angles to the Ha and the Hamon.

IIAKAMA - Trouser-like skirt worn by the Samurai.

HA-MACHI - The notch between the Ha and the tang.

HAMON - A patterned coloration inward from the Ha as a result of the tempering process.

HAN-DACHI - Style of fittings on a WWII Gunto or Tachi.

HARAKIRI (Seppuku) - Ritual suicide performed by slitting the abdomin.

HASSO - A guard position with the sword vertical and the Tsuba level with the right cheek.

HASUJI - Cutting direction line of the Katana through the target.

HATTO - Drawing the sword.

HI - (See Bo-Hi) The groove running the along side the blade to lessen the weight.

HI-TACHI - Defense.

HORIMONO - (See Bonji) - Characters inscribed on the side of some blades.

IAI-DO - The art of drawing and cutting with the sword in one motion.

IAI-TO - a sword of non-ferrous metal for use in Iai-do.

JI-HADA - The pattern in the texture of the steel as a result of folding and forging.

JO-DAN - Face level.

KABUTO - The end cap of the handle of a Gunto at the far end away from the Tsuba.

KAMON - Family logo or crest.

KANJI - Japanese stylized writing originally from the Chinese.

KANTEI - Inspection of the sword.

KASANE - The thickness of the blade (ridge line to ridgeline.)

KASHIRA - End cap on the handle opposite from the Tsuba.

KATANA - Traditional Japanese sword with curved blade, two handed, worn in the belt or Obi with the blade upward.

KATANA-KATE - Stand to display swords.

KEN-DO - Modem Japanese art of fencing with bamboo swords.

KESA-GIRI - A 45 degree cut made from over the head downward.

KIMONO - A full length body robe.

KISSAKI - Point of the sword.

KISSAKI - CHU - Middle sized point of the sword.

KISSAKI - SHO - short point of the sword. Found on older more valuable swords.

KOGAI - Awl-like tool stored in the Saya.

KOIGUCHI - The opening of the Saya in which the Habaki fits.

KOGIRI - The end of the Saya opposite the Koiguchi.

KOIJIRI (Kojiri) - The end of the tang opposite the blade.

KOSHIRAE - All the fittings of the sword including the Saya, Habaki, Tsuba, Handle and the cord.

KOTO - "Old" (Prior to 1596)

KUZUKA - A short throwing knife.

KURIKATA (Kurigata) - The wooden loop on the Saya for attaching the sageo.

MEI - The swordsmith's signature written in Kanji on the tang of the sword.

MEKIJGI - The peg(s) affixing the handle to the tang.

MEKUGI - ANA - The hole in the tang to accommodate the the Mekugi.

MENUKI - A decorative piece place under the wrapping of the handle.

MIGI - Right side.

MONO-UCHI - Section of the blade (about 10" from the point), the primary part of the blade for cutting.

MUNE (Mine) - The blunt back edge of the blade.

MUNE-MACIII - The notch between the Mune and the tang.

NAGINATA - Sword on the end of a staff.

NAKAGO - The tang portion of the blade.

NIGIRI - Gripping the sword.

NOTTO - Putting the blade back into the Saya.

OBI - Belt worn by Samurai 6" wide wrapped around the waist three times.

O-KISSAKI - Long point of the sword.

OSHIGATA - A rubbing of the tang to produce a "photo image."

REI - A bow to show respect.

SAGEO - The cord attached to the Kurikata on the Saya.

SAME-GAWA - Ray skin wrapped around trhe handle under the lacing.

SAYA - The scabbard. A metal or wood protection for the blade.

SEIGAN - Center

SEPPA - Washers located between the Habaki and the Tsuba and between the Tsuba and the Fuchi.

SHINAI - The bamboo sword used in the art of Ken-do.

SHINKEN - Real sword. (Live or sharp blade).

SHINOGI - The ridgeline along the side of the blade.

SHINOGI-JI - Area on the side of the blade between the ridgeline and the back of the blade.

SHINTO - National religion of Japan honoring the Kami and ancestors.

SHIRASAYA - A plain wooden Saya with mataching handle, used for storing a Japanese blade.

SHITO DOME - Decorative metal grommets unsed in the Kashira and Kurakata to protect the lacing.

SHO-MEN - Towards the front.

SORI - The curve of the back of the blade produced during the forging process.

SUIHEI - Flat cut.

TABI - Japanese style socks.

TACHI - A 2 1/2 to 3ft single edge two handed sword with curved blade.  Traditional samurai sword.

TAMESHI-GIRI - Test cutting to prove the quality of the blade or the ability of the swordsman.

TANTO - Shortest of the swords or dagger. (Less than 12 inches).

TSUBA - Hand guard located between the handle and the blade.

TSUKA - Handle of the sword including all of its fittings.

TSUKA-ITO - Lacing over the Same and Menuki of the handle.

UCHI-TACHI - Attacker. (Offense).

UHRI-BACHI - Chop Sticks.

UCHIKO - Fine abrasive powder used to clean a blade and before oiling.

WAKIGAMAE - A stance with the katana hidden somewhat behind the swordsman.

WAKISASHI - "Companion Sword" or helper sword.  Shorter of the two swords worn by the Samurai. (12 to 24 inches).

WARA - Mat(s).

YARI - Spear.

YOKOTE - A line or ridge separating the tip from the blade of the sword.

ZAN-SHIN - Maintaining focus. "The mind remains".