Kashima wooden long swords are straight, relatively heavy and have little taper. Overall length 41 1/2" with a tsuka length of 10 1/2". The profile is generally stout with a thick oval hilt (tsuka) and a feeling of heavy balance which, while noticeably different from most other wooden swords, lends itself well to the heavy inertial style of the Kashima Ryu (school). A bamboo tsuba (hand guard) is included since it is always used in traditional Kashima swordwork.
