Tachi vs Katana — What's the Difference and Which Should You Buy?

The tachi and the katana are the two greatest sword types in Japanese history — but most people don't know the difference. This guide explains everything: length, curve, how they're worn, historical period, and which is right for your collection.

The Short Answer

• Tachi: Longer, more curved, worn edge-down suspended from the belt. The sword of the mounted samurai. Heian and Kamakura periods (794–1333).
• Katana: Shorter, less curved, worn edge-up thrust through the belt. The sword of the foot soldier. Muromachi period onward (1336–present).

The katana evolved from the tachi — it is the tachi's successor, adapted for a new era of warfare.

Length and Curve

The tachi is typically longer than the katana — 70–80cm blade length vs 60–73cm for the katana. The tachi also has a deeper curve (sori) — designed to maximize cutting power from horseback, where the sword is drawn in a sweeping arc.

The katana's shallower curve is optimized for the quick draw (iaijutsu) from a standing position — the defining technique of the foot soldier era.

How They're Worn

This is the most visible difference:

• Tachi: Worn edge-down (ha-mune), suspended from the belt by cords (ashi). The signature of the mounted warrior.
• Katana: Worn edge-up (ha-ura), thrust through the belt (obi). The signature of the Edo period samurai.

When a tachi is displayed, the edge faces down. When a katana is displayed, the edge faces up. This is how you can immediately identify which type you're looking at.

Historical Period

• Tachi: The primary sword of the Japanese warrior class from the Heian period (794) through the Muromachi period (1336). The sword of the great battles of the Genpei War (1180–1185) and the Mongol invasions (1274, 1281).
• Katana: The dominant sword from the Muromachi period (1336) onward. The sword of the Sengoku period (1467–1615), the Edo period (1603–1868), and the samurai of popular culture.

Which Should You Buy?

• Buy a katana if: You want the classic samurai sword aesthetic, a shorter and more manageable blade, or a sword associated with the Edo period samurai of popular culture.
• Buy a tachi if: You want the most historically significant sword type, a longer and more deeply curved blade, or a sword associated with the mounted warriors of the Heian and Kamakura periods.

Our Recommendations

• Best tachi under $1,600: Tachi Koshirae Custom — Jitetsu steel, fish skin scabbard, Tosa-mon brocade, 105cm
• Best tamahagane tachi under $1,600: Divine Beast Tachi Custom — folded tamahagane, gold-silver fittings, vine-wrapped scabbard, 105cm
• Best katana under $400: Musashi Katana Custom — 1095 steel, gold-plated guard, blue lacquer scabbard, 103cm

18+ only. Sharp blade — handle with care.