What Is Machi? 区 — The Blade-Base Notches Explained
The machi (区) are the two small notches at the base of a Japanese blade — the ha-machi (刃区) on the cutting-edge side and the mune-machi (棟区) on the back — that mark where the blade proper ends and the tang (nakago) begins, and against which the habaki collar seats. They are the fixed reference points for a blade's true length: nagasa is measured from the ha-machi to the tip of the kissaki. Because everything from length to mounting keys off these notches, the machi are among the first features an appraiser locates on a sword.
For a collector, the machi are a checkpoint for originality. A crisp, balanced pair of notches sitting where the habaki grips them signals an unaltered blade, while notches that have been moved up the blade are a direct fingerprint of shortening.
Ha-machi and mune-machi
The two notches are cut opposite each other and define the boundary between polished blade and unpolished tang:
- Ha-machi (刃区) — the notch on the edge side. It is the official start of the cutting edge and the point from which nagasa (blade length) is measured to the kissaki.
- Mune-machi (棟区) — the notch on the back (mune) side, directly opposite the ha-machi. Together the two form a clean step where the habaki (the wedge-shaped blade collar) sits and locks the blade against the tsuba and mounting.
The habaki is fitted precisely to this step, so the machi also govern how tightly the whole sword assembles. A well-made habaki should seat firmly on both machi with no rattle.
Machi-okuri: the fingerprint of shortening
When a blade is shortened modestly, the smith may not cut the tang down from the end but instead move the notches up the blade — a technique called machi-okuri (区送り). Filing new ha-machi and mune-machi higher up shifts the effective start of the blade, shortening the nagasa and turning a small amount of former blade into new tang.
Machi-okuri leaves tell-tale traces. Just above the new notches you can often see the ghost of the old machi, a change in surface where former blade steel now behaves like tang, or a habaki that no longer matches the notch position. Distinguishing simple machi-okuri from full suriage (cutting the tang down and re-drilling the peg hole) is a standard step in reading a sword's history.
How the machi reveal condition and originality
Because the machi anchor the mounting, their state reflects the blade's life:
- Original, matched notches — sharp, symmetrical machi with a habaki that fits them cleanly point to an ubu (unaltered) blade at its intended length.
- Rounded or worn machi — repeated polishing over centuries can soften the notches; heavy wear here is a clue to how many times a blade has been re-polished.
- Displaced machi — notches sitting high on the blade, with old notch traces below, indicate machi-okuri and a shortened sword.
- Mismatched habaki — a habaki that does not seat on the current machi often means the notches were moved and the collar was never re-fitted.
Why the machi matter to a buyer
The machi tie directly to the two things buyers care about most: correct length and honest condition. Confirming that nagasa is measured from the ha-machi keeps you from over- or under-stating a blade's category (a few millimetres can move a wakizashi across a length boundary). Spotting machi-okuri tells you a sword was shortened even when the tang looks otherwise original, which affects both authenticity assessment and price. When inspecting any blade, check that the machi are crisp, that the habaki grips them, and that there is no ghost notch hiding a shortening.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the ha-machi and the mune-machi?
The ha-machi is the notch on the cutting-edge side and marks where the sharpened edge officially begins; the mune-machi is the matching notch on the back (mune) side. Together they form the step where the habaki seats and where the blade meets the tang.
How is nagasa measured from the machi?
Blade length (nagasa) is measured in a straight line from the ha-machi to the very tip of the kissaki. Because the ha-machi is the fixed starting point, any movement of that notch changes the recorded length of the sword.
What does machi-okuri mean and does it lower value?
Machi-okuri (区送り) is shortening a blade by filing new notches higher up rather than cutting the tang. It reduces the nagasa and signals alteration, which can lower value versus an unaltered blade, though many shortened swords remain desirable and well documented.
How can I tell if the machi have been moved?
Look just above the current notches for a faint ghost of the old machi, a change in surface texture, or a habaki that no longer fits the notch position. These are the classic signs that the notches were relocated during shortening.