to swords listed in the Kyōhō Meibutsuchō. – a peg of bamboo or horn which passes through the mekugiana to secure the tang in the hilt. – hole in the tang (nakago) for the retaining peg (mekugi) that secures the tang in the hilt. (see image) – an irregular temper line (hamon). (also see suguha) – irregular temper line (midareba) that continues into the point (kissaki). – distance from the blade edge (ha) to the back edge (mune). (also see sakihaba and motohaba) – see tantō. – point at which the yokote, shinogi and ko-shinogi meet. (see image) – surface grain pattern (jihada) of small ovals and circles resembling the burl-grain in wood. The small/large grain pattern of this type is called ko-mokume-hada/ō-mokume-hada. – blade width (mihaba) at the bottom of the blade (machi). – blade thickness (kasane) at the bottom of the blade (machi). – back edge of a blade, i.e., the side opposite the cutting edge (ha). (see image) – notch in the back edge (mune), dividing the blade proper from the tang (nakago). (see image) N – any sword with a blade longer than a tantō, particularly exceptionally large ones (e.g. nodachi). Also called chōtō. – a large sword with a usually katana-sized blade and a very long handle of about equal length. Successor design to the ōdachi/nodachi. – pole weapon wielded in large sweeping strokes. Typically with a wide blade, long tang and without yokote. It often has a distinctive carved groove. Also called chōtō. – unpolished part of a blade that is concealed by the hilt. (see image) – end of the tang (nakago), i.e., the butt of a blade. (see image) – blade length measured from the point to the back edge notch (munemachi). – surface grain pattern (jihada) resembling the flesh of a sliced pear (jap. nashi); i.e. essentially fine dense ko-mokume-hada with surface nie throughout. – small distinct crystalline particles due to martensite, austenite, pearlite or troostite that appear like twinkling stars. – a curved blade with ridge (shinogi). – indistinguishable crystalline particles due to martensite, austenite, pearlite or troostite that appear together like a wash of stars. – see yō. – very large and heavy sword with lengths (nagasa) up to for the use in field battles. Worn across the back. – gently waving temper line (hamon). O – very large sword invented in the 14th century. with lengths (nagasa) of