the ji that differ considerably from the surface pattern in both color and grain. – marks in the temper line (hamon) that resemble the pattern left behind by a broom sweeping over sand. T – straight sword (chokutō) produced in ancient times with a blade length (nagasa) longer than . Not to be confused with the . – curved sword with a blade length (nagasa) longer than and typically . Worn slung across the hip with the blade edge (ha) facing down. Primarily produced in the kotō period. Not to be confused with the . – knife or dagger (strictly speaking only the latter) with a length (nagasa) shorter than and typically about . Usually constructed in flat style (hira-zukuri). (also see tantō, kaiken) Commonly used as a calque for the broadest definition of (European) short swords. – knife or dagger (strictly speaking only the former) with a length (nagasa) shorter than and typically about . Usually constructed in flat style (hira-zukuri). Also called mijikagatana. (also see tanken, kaiken) – single-edged blades (saber/knife) of any size or shape. – a tempered spot within the ji not connected to the main temper line (hamon). – umbrella term for all single- and double-edged blades of any size and shape. – curvature (sori) of the blade in which the center of the curve lies roughly in the center of the blade resembling the horizontal bar of torii. – an ancient (jokotō) very short knife with blade length (nagasa) of or less. – sword guard; generally a round metal plate with a central wedge shaped hole for the blade and if needed up to two smaller holes for the kozuka or kōgai – symmetrical double-edged thrusting weapon popular in the Nara and early Heian period. Also a (now rare) general term for double-edged blades, see ken. U – curvature (sori) of the blade with a slight curve toward the cutting edge (ha). – misty reflection on the ji or shinogiji usually made of softer steel. W – blades with a length (nagasa) between . Shorter of the two swords worn by warriors in the Edo period. Y – see ha. – without turn-back (kaeri); a bōshi that continues directly to the back edge (mune). – file marks on the tang (nakago) applied as a kind of additional signature and before engraving the real signature (mei). (see image) – activity (hataraki) in the temper line