The art of Japanese sword-making is renowned worldwide for its intricate craftsmanship and the unique functionality of its blade shapes. Whether you’re a collector, martial artist, or enthusiast of Japanese culture, understanding the different blade styles can help you appreciate the history and significance behind each sword.

Japanese swords have evolved over centuries, influenced by changing combat techniques, materials, and aesthetics. In this guide, we’ll explore the various blade shapes commonly seen in traditional Japanese swords, and what each shape represents in terms of design and functionality.

SHINOGI-ZUKURI 

Shinogi-Zukuri is one of the most common and iconic blade shapes used in traditional Japanese sword-making, particularly in katana. It is characterized by a defined ridge line (shinogi), which runs along the length of the blade and separates the flat side (hiraji) from the beveled cutting edge (ha). This ridge-line design adds both aesthetic appeal and practical functionality to the blade.

 
2) The ridge line is higher. 

  
HIRA-ZUKURI 
Hira-Zukuri is a blade style used in Japanese sword-making, characterized by its flat cross-sectional profile. Unlike the more commonly seen shinogi-zukuri, which features a distinct ridge line (shinogi), hira-zukuri blades have no ridge, resulting in a sleek, minimalist design. This style is primarily used in shorter blades like tanto (daggers) but can occasionally be found in longer swords.
 
  
SHOBU-ZUKURI：
Shobu-Zukuri is one of the most iconic blade shapes in Japanese sword-making. Known for its straight edge and minimal curvature, this style offers a sharp and efficient cutting surface. Originally popular in the Heian period, it was designed for practicality in battle, providing swift, clean cuts.

This blade is typically seen in katana but can also be found in other sword types. The design reflects a perfect balance between form and function, ideal for cutting through armor or enemy ranks with precision.   
 
  
KIRIHA-ZUKURI 
Kiriha-Zukuri (切刃造) is a blade style used in traditional Japanese sword-making, recognized for its angular cross-sectional geometry. It is also known as Hira-kiriha-zukuri when referring to its specific subtype. This style features a beveled edge that transitions sharply into the flat main surface of the blade, creating a distinct angular appearance.
1) The blade has YOKOTE line. 
 
2) The blade does not have YOKOTE line. 
 
3) The kissaki is double edged. It is also Kissaki-moroha-zukuri.

  
KATA-KIRIHA-ZUKURI 

Kata-Kiriha-Zukuri (片切刃造) is a variation of the traditional Japanese blade style kiriha-zukuri. This style is unique in that the blade's bevel is asymmetrical, with one side featuring a kiriha-zukuri beveled edge while the opposite side remains flat. This creates an intriguing and distinctive cross-sectional geometry.

1) One side is KIRIHA-ZUKURI, another side is HIRA-ZUKURI.   


 
  
2) One side is KIRIHA-ZUKURI, another side is SHINOGI-ZUKURI. 
 
  
3) One side is KIRIHA-ZUKURI, another side is SHOBU-ZUKURI. 
 
  
KANMURI-OTOSHI-ZUKURI 
Kanmuri-Otoshi-Zukuri (冠落とし造) is a specialized blade style in Japanese sword-making that features a distinctive tapering shape. This style combines elements of shinogi-zukuri and hira-zukuri but with a unique geometry that emphasizes lightweight and maneuverability. The term "kanmuri-otoshi" translates roughly to "crown drop-off," referring to how the back of the blade tapers toward the tip.
1) The base is SHINOGI-ZUKURI.       
In the case of NAGINATA, this type or UNOKUBI-ZUKURI(1) is common. 
 
2) The base is HIRA-ZUKURI.   
 
  
UNOKUBI-ZUKURI 
Unokubi-Zukuri (鵜首造) is a Japanese sword blade geometry that translates to "Cormorant's Neck Style." This name refers to the blade's distinctive shape, which features a pronounced tapering near the spine, resembling the neck of a cormorant bird. This design is particularly notable for its combination of reduced weight and maintained structural strength, making it a highly functional and elegant style.

1) The base is SHINOGI-ZUKURI. 
In the case of NAGINATA, this type or KANMURI-OTOSHI-ZUKURI(1) is common. 
 
2) The base is HIRA-ZUKURI. 
 
  
MOROHA-ZUKURI 

Moroha-Zukuri (両刃造) is a distinctive blade style in Japanese sword-making characterized by its double-edged design. Unlike most traditional Japanese swords, which are single-edged (katana, wakizashi, etc.), moroha-zukuri blades have both edges sharpened, resembling the geometry of a double-edged Western sword or a dagger. The style combines elegance and functionality, and is typically found in shorter blades like tanto (daggers).
 
  
OSORAKU-ZUKURI 
Osoraku-Zukuri (恐らく造) is a distinctive and rare blade geometry in Japanese sword-making, characterized by its extremely long point section (kissaki) relative to the overall blade length. This design creates a blade where the tip accounts for a significant portion of the length, giving it a unique and aggressive appearance. The term "osoraku" roughly translates to "perhaps," but its exact origin in the naming of this style is unclear, adding a layer of mystique to its history.
Usually in TANTO type. 
 
  
KISSAKI-MOROHA-ZUKURI 
The forward part of the blade is double edged.  

A curved kissaki-moroha-zukuri style blade is especially called "Kogarasu-maru" style. "Kogarasu-maru" is the nickname of one very famous sword in that style. It was a treasure of the Taira family in 12th century, and now in the imperial collection 
The Kogarasu-maru in the imperial collection


RYO-SHINOGI-ZUKURI 
Ryo-Shinogi-Zukuri (両上造) is a relatively rare and unique blade style in Japanese sword-making, characterized by the presence of two distinct ridge lines (shinogi) running along the length of the blade, one on each side. This style combines elements of shinogi-zukuri and a more complex, dual-ridge design, creating a distinct cross-sectional geometry that provides both structural strength and enhanced cutting ability.
The cross section is like a diamond.
 
  
HIRA-SANKAKU-ZUKURI 
Hira-Sankaku-Zukuri (平三角造) is a rare and unique Japanese sword blade style characterized by a triangular cross-section with a flat main surface (hira) and three distinct edges. This style is named for the triangular shape of the blade's geometry and is not as commonly seen as other traditional styles like shinogi-zukuri or hira-zukuri. However, it offers a distinctive and functional design.