Cleaning your Katana

by Philip Scudieri, Delaware Budokan San Sai Dojo

After each use you should take care to apply the correct maintenance procedure to ensure safely and the condition of the sword itself.

Tools you will need: (1) Rice paper, brass hammer, uchiko (hitting powder) and clove oil.

First, Hold the katana in your left hand. (2) Be sure the mune(back) is resting on the back side of the saya (scabbard) . Do not let the sageo (cord) hang or flop around. Draw the blade and place the katana in front of you.

Strike the koiguch (opening or carp mouth) gently on your left knee to get out shavings and debris that were created during your work out. (3)

Next, hold the blade in your left hand while tapping the blade with the uchiko powder. (4)

Go up and down on both sides of the blade and the mune (back side). Take a piece of rice paper in your left hand then place the tsuka or handle in your right (5)

while resting the mune in your left. Pull the blade completely through. (6)

Repeat one more time. Do not put oil, grease, Vaseline etc. on the blade. This attracts dirt, shavings etc to the blade. Only put clove oil on an old blade (the steel is more porous) if you are going to store it and be careful, I have seen some nice blades stained from sitting a long time with all types of goo on them and require expensive polishing to repair. I use clove oil once in a while to let the oil sink into the pores in the steel, this helps prevent rust, but I wipe it off after a few seconds.

Inspect the mekugi, this is the small pin in the tsuka that holds your handle together. You should do this before and after each practice session to ensure safety. Should the pin be worn or cracked replace it immediately. The purpose of the small brass hammer is for removing and replacing the pin. (7)

Holding the saya in your left hand as in the beginning, slide the katana back into the saya (edge up) making sure the weight is on the mune (back of the blade) as not to scratch the sides of the blade. Place the blade on a kake (holder) or in a sword bag. When putting the blade back into a bag pull the bag on to the blade, pull the bag from the blade when removing it. When placing the katana in a kake place the tsuka to the right side of the holder if it is not being stored. You may also want to perform ritsurei (bow) before and after the process. Be sure your head does not go over the blade. (8)

Katana is now ready for next time. (9)

Tips: