What does 'full-tang' mean in a collectible katana?
Updated Feb 2026
Full-tang refers to the steel of the blade extending the entire length of the handle, rather than stopping partway through or being attached via a threaded bolt. In a properly constructed full-tang katana, the tang (nakago) is secured within the tsuka (handle) by a mekugi — a small bamboo or wooden peg that passes through aligned holes in the tang and handle scales. This traditional construction method is considered the structural benchmark for a collectible or display katana. It ensures the blade and handle remain a single integrated unit during handling, and it's the same method used by Japanese swordsmiths for centuries. When evaluating any katana for your collection, full-tang construction is the first structural detail worth confirming.