The Deviant Blades

The main focus of the Katanagatari story is gathering the twelve katanas crafted by Shikizaki Kiki, a reclusive swordsmith. His katanas were widely popular during the war, but only twelve out of the many he did were specially made with alchemy and other magical aids. Although they are supposedly 'katanas' not all of them are such. The twelve have different forms such as a suit of armor, or a pair of guns.

Kanna (Plane, the absolute)
Kanna is the first blade retrieved by Shichika and Togame. It is in the possession of Koumori, who has the habit of storing it inside him. The blade is straight, unlike most katanas. The hilt is neatly decorated with plum flower designs.

Namakura (Blunt, the decapitator)
Namakura is the second blade recovered, belonging to Ginkaku. The katana has triangular patterns around the hilt guard. It was made for unsheathing at an incredible speed. The blade's name ironically means 'blunt'.

Tsurugi (Blade, the thousand)
Tsurugi is actually a thousand exact copies of one original sword that only Shichika could identify. It belongs to Meisai. Its purpose was that the swords are to be used to their owner's disposal, as there are many copies.

Hari (Needle, the light])
Hari is an extremely thin blade, the reason it was given the name Hari, meaning needle. It is under the control of Hakuhei, Japan's strongest swordsman.

Yoroi (Armor, the grudge])
oroi is a massive full-body set of armor belonging to Kanara, one of the shoguns of Japan.

Kanazuchi (Hammer, the pair)
Kanazuchi is a rather large sword owned by a small, but strong girl, Konayuki.

Bita (Poor, the evil)
Bita is a rather small knife-like weapon that is interestingly able to sustain a dead body. It is wielded by Shichika's older sister Nanami.

Kanzashi (Sai, the tiny)
Kanzashi is a four-armed doll that seems to function on its own. It is armed with four swords and one extra one in its mouth. Its appearance changes according to the situation, becoming more menacing.

Nokogiri (Saw, the king)
Nokogiri is a wooden sword despite the fact it's called "King of Swords". It is owned by a girl named Zanki.

Hakari (Scales, the true)
Hakari is a sword with no blade wielded by a young girl, Rinne.

Mekki (Gild, the poison)
Mekki is a black, jagged, bladed katana decorated with iridescent designs. It is in the possession of Houou, the leader of the Maniwa Corps ninjas.

Jyu (Gun, the flame)
Jyu is actually a pair of pistols, one a revolver and one an automatic in appearance. Colored red and blue respectively, each is decorated with a long flowing mane with a bead on its end. Their owner is Emonzaemon.