Selecting A Sword

Japanese Measurements

1 Bu= .119305 inches, 10 bu = 1 sun,  10 sun = 1 shaku
Sword Measurements…

Swords are measured from the tip to the munemachi (notch in habaki (collar) on mune (spine) of the blade.

Your Height

Estimated Blade Length in Japanese Terms

X = Shaku, Y = Sun, Z = BU

As X-Y-Z

Blade Length in Inches

Blade Length in Centimeters

145cm /57in

2-1-5

25.65

65.15

150cm /59in

2-2-0

26.25

66.7

155cm /61in

2-2-5

26.85

68.2

160cm /63in

2-3-0

27.44

69.7

165cm /65in

2-3-5

28.03

71.2

170cm /67in

2-4-0

28.62

72.7

175cm/ 69in

2-4-5

29.25

74.3

180cm /71in

2-5-0

29.84

75.8

Depending upon Sword style preferences, there is equilibrium where longer swords are not desired….

185cm /73in

2-5-5 to 2-6-5

30.44  to

31

78.8

190cm /75in

2-7-0

32

81

Over 190 cm /75in

2-8

33

84