Tachi Swords

About Our Tachi Swords

The tachi is one of the oldest styles of Japanese curved sword, predating the katana by several centuries. Developed during the Koto period (roughly 900–1596), the tachi was originally designed for mounted warriors — its deep curvature and longer blade made it ideal for downward cutting strikes from horseback. Unlike the katana, which is worn edge-up through the obi belt, the tachi was traditionally suspended edge-down from cords attached to the waist. At TrueKatana, our tachi collection features 44 handmade pieces including tachi, odachi, nodachi, and kodachi styles across multiple steel types and mountings.

Tachi, Odachi, Nodachi, and Kodachi — Understanding the Differences

Tachi

The standard tachi features a blade of roughly 70–80 cm with a pronounced curvature. It was the primary sword of the mounted samurai before the katana rose to prominence during the Muromachi period. Tachi swords are distinguished by their elegant curve, longer handle for two-handed grip, and suspension-style mounting hardware.

Odachi and Nodachi

Odachi (large tachi) and nodachi (field sword) refer to oversized Japanese swords with blades exceeding 90 cm — some reaching over 150 cm. These imposing blades were carried by foot soldiers and used against cavalry and in open-field engagements. Today, odachi and nodachi are among the most visually striking collectible swords, prized for their sheer scale and the skill required to forge such a large blade by hand.

Kodachi

The kodachi (small tachi) is a shorter companion sword with a blade of roughly 60 cm. It fills a similar role to the wakizashi but follows tachi-style mounting conventions. The kodachi was often carried as a sidepiece alongside a full-size tachi, and its compact size made it practical for indoor settings and close-quarters situations.

Choosing the Right Tachi for Your Collection

Entry-Level Tachi

Our 1045 and 1060 carbon steel tachi swords are a solid starting point for collectors new to this sword type. These steels provide reliable durability with full tang construction at an accessible price. Most entry-level models feature traditional curved-blade profiles with cord-wrapped handles and lacquered saya.

Premium and Damascus Tachi

For collectors seeking the highest level of craftsmanship, our T10 clay-tempered and damascus steel tachi swords feature real hamon lines and unique folded patterns. The deep curvature of a tachi blade makes the hamon line especially dramatic, as it follows the full arc of the cutting edge.

Tachi vs. Katana — What Is the Difference

The tachi and katana are closely related, but they differ in curvature, wearing method, and historical period. The tachi has a deeper curve and was suspended edge-down from the waist by cords — a method suited to mounted combat. The katana has a shallower curve and is worn edge-up through the obi belt, allowing for faster drawing techniques. Historically, the tachi was the dominant sword from the Heian through early Muromachi periods, while the katana became standard from the mid-Muromachi period onward as warfare shifted from horseback to infantry. For collectors, the tachi offers a connection to the earlier chapters of samurai sword history that the katana does not.

How Our Tachi Swords Are Made

Steel Selection and Forging

Each tachi starts with raw steel — whether 1045 carbon, T10, or layered damascus. The steel is heated, hammered, and shaped by hand into the tachi's distinctive deep-curve profile. Forging a tachi requires particular skill, as the longer blade and pronounced curvature demand precise heat control to achieve uniform hardness.

Clay Tempering and Hamon

On our clay-tempered models, a layer of clay is applied along the spine before quenching. This creates differential hardness — a hard cutting edge paired with a flexible spine — and produces the hamon line prized by collectors. On a tachi, the hamon follows the full sweep of the blade's curve, making it one of the most visually striking features.

Mounting and Finishing

After polishing, the blade is fitted with traditional tachi-style mountings. This includes suspension rings for edge-down wearing, a habaki collar, and a cord-wrapped handle. Saya are shaped from wood and finished with lacquer or specialty coatings. Many of our tachi feature ornate fittings that reflect the sword's historical significance as a ceremonial piece of the mounted samurai class.