A Comprehensive Guide to Ninja Swords

The ninja sword has become a staple in popular culture. It is often romanticized as being the ultimate weapon for stealthy assassinations, but it was actually not invented until after ninjas had already been active for several centuries. The earliest forms of these swords were originally used by samurai warriors and were typically forged from katana blades or daggers.

Despite their common depiction in modern media, authentic ninja swords are incredibly rare to find outside of museums because they have since gone extinct due to disuse. They can be seen today at many Japanese festivals around the country, though you will usually need to pay an admission fee to enter them if you want to see their exhibits up close.

If you are interested in learning more about this unique type of blade then read on as we cover several different aspects of the ninja sword.

What Makes Ninja Swords Different?

Essentially, ninja swords are like regular katana blades that were used by samurai. One key difference though is that ninja blades typically sport a grey-black finish and may also have blackened hilts to help conceal them further.

A unique feature that ninja blades have in comparison to other types of katana is that they tend to be incredibly short and easy to conceal so as not to arouse suspicion.

Most ninja swords feature the kanji symbol for “shinobi” inscribed onto their blades so as to mark them as traditional ninja weapons.

These ninja symbols can often be found on both sides of the sword’s blade, but some ninja swords will only have one side engraved with it while others don’t ever bother engraving it on at all.

The number of kanji that are present on the blade is said to influence its magical qualities or power level – something that is becoming more sought after by collectors nowadays who require authentic ninja swords as opposed to ninja-style replicas.

What are the Parts of a Ninja Sword?

In general, ninja swords have a very sleek and slender design when compared to less ninja-like weapons. Most ninja swords are a good deal shorter in length than the average katana blade at roughly 24 inches in length with some others being as long as 27 inches – each one of these ninja sword types having different advantages that have to be considered when going into battle.

Since ninja swords are akin to traditional katana blades, they come with many of the same parts as other types of these samurai swords.

The scabbard is typically wrapped in black silk worn out over cotton or linen padding to help protect the ninja sword’s edge en route to its destination.

The wrapping may also contain metal fittings meant for carrying purposes, but ninja swords tend not to have any extra features since this will only hinder the ninja’s stealth abilities.

Ninja sword hilts are typically wrapped in the same black silk as ninja scabbards to conceal them further, but this is also done because ninja swords don’t feature tsuka-ito or mekugi pegs typically found in katanas.

Tips to Care for Ninja Swords

As with any other type of Japanese weapon, you will need to take great care in maintaining and storing your ninja sword because it can easily become damaged just like any other katana blade if not properly cared for.

After each use, you should wipe down your ninja sword with a moist cloth so as to remove any dirt and grime that has accumulated on the blade.

If you want to add a sheath for your ninja sword, then make sure that it is made from quality leather rather than plastic because ninja swords should never be stored in their sheath when not in use.

If ninja swords are such an important part of ninja tradition, then you would do well to purchase them as authentic ninja weapons if possible. However, replica ninja swords are both highly coveted by collectors who are interested in owning ninja blades without having to pay exorbitant amounts of money to procure one.

If you are planning on purchasing ninja swords for yourself or someone else as a gift during the ninja themed holiday season, then be sure to check out reviews first before making your final purchase.

This way, you will ensure that the ninja sword you buy is guaranteed to be of the highest quality and authenticity so as not to disappoint anyone on your ninja-loving list.

Respecting History and Tradition Through the Ninja Sword

Ninjas have been a cultural fascination for centuries, and that fascination has led to some pretty interesting things. A lot of people might not realize this but ninjutsu is an ancient martial art as well as a spiritual path. In Japan, it’s steeped in history and tradition.

We hope that our comprehensive guide will help you in purchasing a ninja sword while also respecting the rich tradition and history of ninjas.

You might also wanna check PROS AND CONS OF CUSTOMIZING YOUR SWORD.