Tsuba's (Japanese Sword Hand Guard) The Tsuba has to be one of the most crucial elements of the Katana. Because the handguard is handcrafted, it is highly appreciated and collected by fans of Japanese swords. There are two main types of tsubas: the hard type and the soft type. Hard tsubas are usually made from wood, but metal tsubas can also be found. Soft tsubas are usually made from cotton or linen and often have a corded pattern attached to them. They can be worn as a headdress or wrapped around the sword blade. Both hard and soft tsubas have several holes drilled into them to accommodate the fingers for better grip. Hard tsubas have more pronounced holes, while soft ones are more subtle. Also, the back of a hard tsuba is typically flat, while that of a soft one is usually curved. Katanas come with a tsuba already attached to the hilt. This is because the handguard plays an important role in helping the user maintain control of the weapon. It also provides some protection for the hands of the user. If there were no tsuba, then the user would need to wear leather gloves to protect his/her hands. In conclusion, katana have handguards.