How Long Is a Katana?

Compared with the English longsword, the Japanese samurai sword, or katana, looks like a dwarf. Yet no other blade is more mythical and legendary than this Japanese creation of the 8th century (with the possible exception of Excalibur).

The Japanese katana may be shorter than its Western counterparts, but this pride of the Land of the Rising Sun and the eastern seas can outshine other medieval swords.

But how long is a katana? And why are katana of different lengths? What about the dimensions of the components or elements of the katana, such as the blade, the scabbard, the handle and the sword guard?

What is the average or "ideal" length of katana swords? Does length matter for a Japanese katana? How do you measure the length of a katana? And above all, how do you choose the right katana length for your needs?

This article answers these questions and offers further insights into the mystical world of the katana through one of its many dimensions: its length. Let us start at the beginning.

3 katana lengths

The katana, or samurai sword, is a medieval sword originating in 8th-century Japan. The samurai of the Heian period needed a curved sword to replace the straight-edged chokuto.

To meet this need, Amakuni developed the tachi, the predecessor of the katana, giving rise to a single-edged curved sword. The tachi proved quick to draw, which made it an excellent sword for mounted samurai (on horseback).

The Muromachi period saw the development of the uchigatana, making the tachi's blade curve less pronounced. There were two uchigatana, one short (the wakizashi) and one long (the katana).

In fact, there is a third.

However, before we look further at the three katana lengths, it is essential to understand the shaku.

The imperial system of measurement only appeared in 1826, while the metric system preceded it by more than three decades, in 1795.

The Japanese of the Middle Ages could therefore not give precise measurements of the katana and other Japanese swords in the values we know today.

Instead, the ancient Japanese borrowed the Chinese chi system to roughly assess the length of katana. The shaku corresponds to the distance between the tip of the index finger and the outer edge of the thumb.

Today, we consider a shaku to be about 30.3 centimetres, or 11.93 inches. Experts in samurai swords use the shaku to sort katana lengths into three types of samurai sword.

> 2 shaku

These Japanese swords have a blade length greater than 60.6 centimetres or 23.86 inches and can include the katana, the tachi, the nodachi and other types of traditional daito blades. Katana of more than 2 shaku are popular in video games, manga and similar media. Samurai used these as secondary swords.

1 to 2 shaku

The daisho and wakizashi Japanese swords are excellent examples of 1 to 2 shaku blades. These swords have blades as short as 30.3 centimetres (11.93 inches) or as long as 60.6 centimetres (23.86 inches), but never exceeding the mark.

Samurai wore these swords with the cutting edge upwards, which allowed them to draw and cut quickly in a single movement. Their relatively small size makes these samurai swords a worthwhile secondary sword.

< 1 shaku

These are the smallest katana swords, never exceeding 30.3 centimetres or 11.93 inches of blade length. The tanto and daggers are examples.

Lengths of the katana's components

It should be stressed that the three katana lengths mentioned above reflect only the blade length. There is also the handle, the sword guard and the scabbard. These elements have their own lengths and contribute to the overall length of the katana.

The nagasa (blade)

The katana blade, or nagasa, measures at least 60.6 centimetres (23.86 inches) from the base of the blade to the tip and can reach 80 centimetres (31.5 inches). It is not unheard of for some katana-kaji (traditional Japanese swordsmiths) to create a longer katana, but they are rare.

The tsuka (sword handle)

The handle of the katana is roughly half the blade length. Looking at the samurai sword from the side, along its horizontal axis, the handle accounts for about a third of the total length of the katana. The tsuka is about 30 centimetres (11.8 inches) long, which makes it ideal for a two-handed grip.

The tsuba (sword guard)

Sword guards protect the hands from accidental cuts. The guard of the katana measures 6 centimetres, or about 2.4 inches, at its widest point. Note that most tsuba are disc-shaped, while others are rectangular with smooth or rounded corners.

The saya (scabbard)

As the scabbard, or saya, protects the katana blade, it must be slightly longer than the blade. So if the blade of a katana measures 60.6 centimetres or 23.86 inches, the saya must measure at least 61 centimetres or 24 inches.

It should be stressed that katana scabbards are specific to the blade. You cannot borrow someone else's saya to protect and carry your katana, because it will not fit perfectly. This observation explains why samurai swords always come as a set. The elements are not interchangeable.

Lengths of the katana's components. Photo from the Met Museum.

Average length of the samurai sword

Sheathing the nagasa in the saya can produce a katana measuring about 100 centimetres, or 39.8 inches, from the end of the tsuka to the pointed tip of the nagasa. The tsuka can therefore measure 25 to 30 centimetres (9.8 to 11.8 inches), while the nagasa extends 60 to 70 centimetres (23.6 to 27.6 inches).

The total katana length of 100 centimetres, or 40 inches, suits the average samurai, who stood between 155 and 160 centimetres, or 61 and 63 inches. This katana length is perfect for exceptional control and remarkable power.

It should be noted, however, that katana length varies from one traditional Japanese school to another. Katana-kaji may have their own interpretations of the "perfect" katana length.

How length affects the katana

We know the length of a katana. But do we know why length matters? Here is how katana length influences three crucial factors.

Weight

Authentic katana weigh between 900 and 1,200 grams. They are made of tamahagane steel, extracted and forged from ancient deposits of iron sand, or satetsu. As with everything else, the longer the katana, the heavier it is.

Handling

This attribute is the product of the weight of the katana and its length. Heavy objects are harder to move and control than light ones. That is why wielding a heavy samurai sword is dangerous for the user and for anyone practising nearby. Holding an oversized katana is awkward and does not feel like a katana.

Likewise, a katana that is too small deprives the user of the immense capabilities of the samurai sword.

Practical use

The origins of the katana required samurai to master the art of iaido. This martial art technique requires the samurai to draw the katana and cut in a single fluid, rapid movement.

The samurai must draw the katana from the saya and cut straight through, with no unnecessary movement and at lightning speed. It is easy to imagine that a very long katana can slow down how quickly the sword is withdrawn from the saya. And that could be costly in a duel against a faster opponent.

In addition, shortening or lengthening the nagasa (katana blade) can shift its centre of mass, reducing the power of the samurai sword.

Choosing the right katana length

Although the average length of a katana is about 100 centimetres, or less than 40 inches, there are different variations. So how do you find the ideal katana length for yourself or for someone you want to give one to?

The standing katana method

Take a katana and hold it loosely at your side. The ideal katana length places the tip of the saya (scabbard) slightly above the ankle. You can also check that the tip of the saya is no closer than one inch (about 2.5 centimetres) to the floor.

The user height method

Many katana shops offer a chart matching height to katana. For example, a person 6 feet 1 inch tall (about 185 centimetres) will do well to buy a katana with a 30.4-inch blade (about 77 centimetres). On the other hand, a katana blade of 26.8 inches (68.2 centimetres) is ideal for a person 5 feet 1 inch tall (about 155 centimetres).

The forearm method

Measure your forearm from wrist to elbow. This distance roughly matches the length of the tsuka (handle) of the katana. Since the handle makes up about a third of the total length of the katana, you can multiply the result by 3.

For example, if the wrist-to-elbow measurement is 30.5 centimetres, the total length of the katana should be 91.44 centimetres.

The alternative katana method

Try the bokken, the iaito, the wooden katana and other Japanese swords. These are training or practice swords that you can buy inexpensively. Try them and notice how they feel and how they fit. You can use these "perfectly sized" alternatives as a reference when getting an authentic katana.

Measuring the length of a samurai sword

Take a tape measure and place one end at the point where the tsuka meets the nagasa (blade). Extend the tape towards the kissaki (the tip of the blade). Then add 30 centimetres, or 11.8 inches, for the length of the handle (tsuka). These measurements give the "ideal" length of your katana.

The bottom line

The question "How long is a katana?" has no fixed answer. It all depends on the user, and whether they prefer long or short. Katana length matters because it affects the handling, control and stability of the samurai sword, while ensuring the perfection of the martial art of iaido.