The vast majority of Edo period swords would have a rayskin cover on the handle, covered with another wrapping of silk cloth (sometimes leather in earlier periods, especially with tachi), which creates the distinctive triangular openings that reveal the rayskin beneath. The rayskin aids in gripping the sword.

Some swords did not have the silk wrapping and only used rayskin for their handles, particularly wakizashi, tachi and tanto (the latter technically being a dagger).

The vast majority of these swords would also feature a handle ornament known as the menuki, which helped secure the grip (but later became more decorative as it became added to both sides instead of just one).

Some tachi (Predecessor of the katana), particularly those not used in combat, had lavishly decorated handles.

Some tachi had silver, gold or copper covered hilts and scabbards, rayskin handles with gilt copper edges, or rosewood hilts. One tosu (utility knife) featured a jade hilt. Rhinoceros horn or ivory pommels are extant.

However tachi used in combat mostly had the ubiquitous rayskin and silk wrappings.

Apart from the handles themselves, there are some very interesting mountings for Japanese swords, some of which are intended to disguise the blade.

Japanese bladed weapons were sometimes mounted in shirasaya style, with a plain wood hilt and scabbard. These were not designed for combat but for transport.

Some short swords were disguised to look like canes. These are known as Shikomizue. Tanto were sometimes mounted in a sheath and handle disguised as a fan.