In swords including katana (single-edged sword), ken (or tsurugi, double-edged sword), spears or naginata jutsu (art of Japanese halberd), it constitutes the accouterment of a sword along with the hilt (tsuka) and sword guard (tsuba).
刀や剣、槍、薙刀術等の刀剣類では柄、鍔（つば）などと共に刀装（刀剣類の外装部分）を構成する。