Japanese sword blades were/are made in a variety of lengths. The blade is classified by its length. A daito (long sword, either a tachi or katana, is over two shaku (one shaku equals approximately 12 inches or 30 centimeters) in length. A shoto or wakizashi has a blade length between one and two shaku. A tanto blade is normally under one shaku in length. The length of a sword blade (nagasa) is measured from the tip of the kissaki in a straight line to the mune-machi.

Anatomy of a sword (katana)