The Handle

The handle (tsuka - pronounced "sooka") is comprised of two halves of honoki wood (a relative of tulip poplar). The insides of each half is carved in relief of the shape of the tang. The halves are glued together. Honoki ("hoh-noh-kee") is a non-resinous wood; wood resins can attack blade steel and therefore resinous woods are not used.

Metal caps - fuchi (guard end) and kashira (pommel end) also help hold the sword together. The handle is wrapped by skin of a stingray (same - pronounced "sah-meh") which when dried is exceptionally hard (and thus when cut to shape it usually softens and expands in hot water). Ideally the same is applied as a full wrap to reinforce the handle, as honoki wood is not an exceptionally strong wood. In some historical katana one might see the ends of same meet on one side of the katana, under the diamond-shaped cord wrap of the handle. In some cases, strips of same are applied. In this case, the handle will lack some reinforcement - unless made out of stronger wood - but will still be usable.

The Guard

The guard is generally circular (some might be more squarish) and vary in size but are generally there to protect the hand from sliding onto the blade. The guard acts in part to counterbalance the sword. In some swordsmanship styles, when the fighting becomes up close and personal, the guard can be used for hand or face strikes and in part to trap the opponent's hands or wrists while disarming the opponent.

As the katana is worn edge-up in the sash, the "front" of the tsuba (guard, pronounced "sooba") - if it is made with different sides - is the side that the opponent sees as he faces you. The tsuba should be upright as the katana is worn edge-up.

There are typically washers on either side of the tsuba known as seppa (pronounced "seh-pa"). These may be made of brass or copper.

Finally, fore of the guard is the habaki ("hah-bah-kee") which rests on the blade shoulder, adding approximately an extra inch to the overall length from guard to tip (though the nagasa or blade length is the straight line measured on the spine side, from tip to the notch of the blade's shoulder.) The habaki fits into the mouth of the scabbard and holds the blade steady while sheathed. It can be made of copper, shakudo, or gold (silver was more precious than gold in ancient Japan).