How to Clean a Katana

The katana is a Japanese samurai sword.

The katana is a single-edged and curved Japanese samurai sword. Japanese warriors also used the sword, usually along with a wakizashi or tanto sword, which is a small weapon made in a similar fashion to the katana. Cleaning the katana requires the use of a cleaning kit, though you could purchase the items separately. The kit includes a small hammer, powder, a rice cloth and sword oil. Care is needed when handling the katana, as the blade is extremely sharp.

Things You'll Need

• Sword cleaning kit
• Cotton cloth

Instructions

1. Place a blanket or towel over a working surface.

2. Take the small mallet out of the top of the hammer assembly from the sword cleaning kit.

3. Tap the two small pegs, or mekugis, out of the handle. Pull the handle off. Pull the spacers, or seppas, off. Pull the hand guard, or tsuba, off.

4. Hammer the ferrule, or habaki, gently off the sword. This is located in the same spot as the hand guard.

5. Hold the sword with a cotton cloth and then dab the powder onto the entire metal surface.

6. Wipe the powder off in one direction with the rice cloth.

7. Apply a few drops of the sword oil to a cotton cloth. Wipe it onto the metal handle and blade. Reassemble the sword. Polish each item with the oil as you put it back on.

8. Polish the case, or saya, with the same cloth that you used for the metal.

References

• You Tube: How to Clean a Katana
• Samurai Sword Shop: Caring for you Katana, A Brief Guide to Cleaning Your Blade
• Real Armor of God: Sword Cleaning Instructions