What Makes a Good Katana Handle?

When people talk about katanas, most eyes go straight to the blade—the curve, the edge, the polish. But let me ask you: what about the handle? After all, no matter how sharp or beautiful a katana is, it’s the tsuka (handle) that decides how well you can actually wield it.

A good handle isn’t just about looks. It has to feel right in your hands. Too thick, and your grip feels clumsy. Too thin, and you can’t generate enough power. The length? That directly affects the sword’s balance. And balance is everything. A katana should flow naturally, giving you both speed and strength—but here’s the tricky part: more speed usually means less power, and more power often sacrifices speed. The handle is the secret key to balancing those two opposites.

The Construction of a Katana Handle

So, how is a traditional handle made? The core starts with two pieces of wood clamped around the sword’s tang (nakago). This is then wrapped in samegawa (ray skin), which adds both function and beauty. Finally, silk or leather cord is wrapped over the top in a style called tsukamaki. Sounds simple? Not at all. Each layer requires skilled craftsmanship, and the wrapping styles themselves can get very complex.

Samegawa – The Ray Skin

Here’s something fascinating: although it’s often called “shark skin,” samegawa actually comes from a type of ray. The skin is covered in small, stone-like nodules—some as tiny as rice grains, others as big as pearls. Naturally, it’s beige, but it can be dyed in different colors depending on taste. After polishing, the rough texture provides an incredible grip. This is why katanas don’t slip easily in combat.

At the center of the back, each ray has a single large nodule—round, pearl-like, and surrounded by smaller ones arranged like stars around a moon. This is the most prized part of the skin, and unsurprisingly, the most expensive. That single “jewel” can make one handle far more valuable than another.

Tsukamaki – The Handle Wrapping

Over the ray skin comes the tsukamaki, the decorative and functional cord wrapping. Usually it’s silk, but leather is also used. Among these, silk hand-woven cords made with gold-thread brocade are the finest, often reserved for ceremonial swords like those kept in shrines or worn in court.

The wrapping styles? Oh, there are many. Some of the more common ones include hira-maki (flat wrap), katate-maki (battle wrap), and tsumami-maki (pinch wrap). Each gives a slightly different feel in the hand and a unique visual character. Sometimes, especially on shorter blades like tanto, the handle is left uncovered, showing only the ray skin. This is called samegawa-nuri.

Handles as Fashion

Did you know samurai often owned multiple handles for the same blade? That’s right. Just like changing clothes for different occasions, warriors would swap handles to match their attire or the formality of the event. Beyond function, the tsuka was also a statement of style and status.

Glossary of Key Terms

• Tsuka (柄): The handle of a katana, essential for balance and grip.
• Nakago (茎): The tang of the blade, hidden inside the handle.
• Samegawa (鮫皮): Ray skin used to wrap the handle, valued for its texture and grip.
• Tsukamaki (柄巻): The decorative cord wrapping over the ray skin.
• Hira-maki (平巻): A common flat wrapping style.
• Katate-maki (片手巻): A traditional “battle wrap” used for stronger grip.
• Tsumami-maki (摘巻): A pinch-style wrapping technique.
• Tanto (短刀): A Japanese short blade, often with simplified handle styles.
• Samegawa-nuri (出鮫柄): A handle finished with only ray skin, without cord wrapping.