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12 Classic Zukuri Types in Japanese Swords

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Updated: September 30, 2024

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12 Classic Zukuri Types in Japanese Swords

In the context of Japanese swords, the term “zukuri” refers to the blade profile—meaning the blade shape and style. The design can differ in terms of the cross-section, ridge-line, width, thickness, curvature, and general form of the blade.

Zukuri can be broadly classified into blade shapes for longer swords or short swords. However, many of these profiles can overlap.

This article delves into the different zukuri, starting with those in longer swords, then shorter swords—beginning with popular ones before exploring those that are more obscure.

Longer Sword Profiles

Longer swords such as the katana, tachi, naginata, nagamaki, and wakizashi feature different zukuri, giving them different cutting, thrusting, and handling attributes.

1. Shinogi-Zukuri

*Shinogi-zukuri with a yokote and prominent shinogi close to the mune*

Shinogi-zukuri is the most common blade profile for long swords such as katana, tachi, and wakizashi. Also known as hon-zukuri, these blades were produced after the Heian Period, around 987 CE. This design allows for a powerful cut and deep thrust. It is often seen in blades used on the battlefield and for self-defense.

2. Hira-Zukuri

*Nearly flat blade on both sides without shinogi or yokote*

Without a ridge-line (midline), hira-zukuri blades are nearly flat. This means it has a longer taper to the edge, making it ideal for cutting. While some think the thin blade is a weakness, this view has been debunked. a very long distal taper running to its razor edge.

Walter Sorrels, a bladesmith who specializes in Japanese swords, says, “Clearly the myth that hira-zukuri blades are not suitable for vigorous test cutting is a lie by the test that we did here today.”

This type of blade first appeared in tachi produced in ancient times. While often seen in katana, it is also common in tanto and ko-wakizashi after the Heian Period (after 806 CE).

3. Shobu-Zukuri

*Similar to shinogi zukuri but without a yokote*

Shobu-zukuri blades are similar to shinogi-zukuri blades, but without the presence of a defined tip.

First designed for the tachi, these blades were popular during the battle-filled Muromachi Period (1336-1537) as they were easier to produce without having to spend time on the tip. This design also allows for powerful slashes that cut the target with a lower chance of being lodged in the target due to the shape of its tip.

4. Unokubi-Zukuri

*Unokubi-zukuri blade similar to a cormorant’s neck*

Unokubi-zukuri literally translates to “cormorant’s neck”. Initially used on polearm swords such as the naginata, it was later adopted for the katana. It is also common in wakizashi and tanto from the Kamakura Period (1185 – 1333 CE) to the Nanbokucho Period (1336 – 1392 CE)

As implied by its name, these blades have thinner segments between the thicker base and tip, similar to a neck to reduce the blade’s weight while maintaining its strength. This type sometimes has a yokote.

The naginata became obsolete during the peaceful Edo Period and was forbidden due to its longer length. This resulted in many blades being melted down or reshaped.

5. Nagamaki-Zukuri

*The Nagamaki-Zukuri with a fuller, yokote, and a strong bevel toward the spine*

Nagamaki-zukuri is a blade profile that was used in the nagamaki, a long two-handed Japanese sword with an extra long handle.

As battle requirements changed throughout Japanese history, long weapons like the nagamaki were no longer popular. This resulted in old nagamaki blades being reshaped into new swords, a common occurrence during the Muromachi period.

6. Morokiriha-Zukuri (Kiriha-Zukuri) – Straight Katana

*The straight Chinese-inspired morokiriha-zukuri blade shape*

Kiriha-zukuri blades have a ridge line that runs quite close to the edge, giving it a wide shinogi-ji. It is believed to have evolved from hira-zukuri.

Apart from later imitations, this shape is seen only in the ancient Japanese swords with straight blades such as chokuto or jokoto. Due to its rigid structure, this design is effective for thrusting.

The kiriha-zukuri blade shape is believed to have been learnt from China’s straight dao swords. When Japan and China’s relations fell apart around the 8th century, Japan started creating their own swords.

7. Katakiriha-Zukuri

Katakiriha-zukuri blades are more unusual and therefore, the rarest shape throughout history, and even today. It combines two profiles—one on each side of the blade. Typically, kiriha-zukuri is on one side while the other can be hira-zukuri, shinogi-zukuri, or shobu-zukuri.

It originated from experimentation around the end of the Kamakura Period (1288 – 1334 CE) to cope with the different types of armor, especially with the arrival of the Mongols. It was fashionable at the beginning (1596 – 1643 CE) and end (1781 – 1867 CE) of the Edo Period.

8. Kissaki-Moroha-Zukuri (Kogarasu-Zukuri) – Double-Edged Katana

*The double-edged katana, sometimes called a kogarasu-zukuri design*

The kissaki-moroha-zukuri has a tip sharpened on both edges while the lower portion of the blade is shaped differently from the tip. It originated at the end of the Nara Period (708 – 781 CE) when local smiths experimented to move away from Chinese swords. This shape was later imitated by later swordsmiths.

The “Kogarasu-Maru”, a famed sword of the Heike—the largest warrior family of the Heian Period—is of this type, with a shallow curvature and the upper half of the blade sharpened on both sides. It is due to this sword that this blade profile is also known as kogarasu-maru-zukuri.

Another popular shape known as sakabato, or reverse-edged katana has a sharpened edge on the opposing side and is often depicted in modern media.

Shorter Sword Profiles

Blade profiles on shorter swords were designed for a more rigid structure or to reduce the weight of the blade for easier handling. While some were used in longer blades as well, they were more frequent in shorter swords such as the tanto and wakizashi.

1. Kanmuriotoshi-Zukuri

*Kanmuriotoshi-zukuri blades where the upper half of the blade is thinner on the blade*

Kanmuri-otoshi-zukuri is a more complex blade profile. The lower part of the blade is shinogi-zukuri style, but the shinogi-ji (flat surface between the ridge line and spine of the blade) is cut diagonally, similar to the shobu-zukuri style.

Kanmuri-otoshi-zukuri is more often seen in swords made in the Yamato province and related schools starting in the Kamakura period (after 1182 CE). Besides giving the sword a unique appearance, it also enhances its cutting ability, reduces the overall weight of the sword, and improves handling.

2. Osoraku-Zukuri

*Osoraku-zukuri style on a tanto with a large kissaki with the yokote around the center of the blade*

Osoraku-zukuri is unique in appearance and functionality. This style has a very large tip, longer than the lower portion of the blade. This results in a deeply curved construction which enhances its cutting ability.

It is usually seen only in tanto and wakizashi. This style originated from Shimada Sukemune, and it is named after he carved the word “osoraku” on one of his blades said to belong to Katagiri Katsumoto, a famous general during the Sengoku Period.

3. Moroha-Zukuri

*Moroha-zukuri tanto with double edged blade – Credits: The Art of the Japanese Sword*

Moroha-zukuri are double edged blades that can be straight or curved. Unlike the ken, each side is different. It is usually seen in tanto produced after the mid-Muromachi period (around 1467 CE).

Although there were some long swords made in this style, they soon fell out of favor.

4. Hocho-Zukuri

*Thin but broad hocho-zukuri tanto blade – Credits: The Art of the Japanese Sword*

Hocho-zukuri blades are thin and flat on both sides. Often compared to a kitchen knife, the blade is broad when viewed from the side to cut the target deeply while remaining lightweight.