Samurai from Japan’s long gone era didn’t get by with huge broadswords or wide scimitars. Iconic swordsmen like Date Masamune, Miyamoto Musashi, and Minamoto no Yoshitsune all wielded Japan’s most famous type of blade, a katanaKATANA 刀 "sword" learn more.... Using this weapon, the samuraiSAMURAI 侍 "warrior serving a lord" learn more... was able to deal impressive and often fatal strikes in one expert motion. And only an authentic Japanese katana could offer the graceful lethality so necessary to the samurai.
Although these famed medieval warriors are no longer quite as prominent on Japan’s streets as they used to be, you can’t deny the fact that they have left a lasting impression on history. In fact, samurai culture remains pretty solid in pop culture and it has become a mainstay in films, anime, manga, books, video games and a lot more. Aside from their principles and disciplines, the samurai of Japan are revered for their prowess and skill behind their prized weapon, the katana.
This type of sword was able to survive the rough transition from blades to guns. As such, there are ways to collect authentic katanas made by a true artisans. And you may have some competition: many consider a katana a highly refined art object.
First, Some Authentic Japanese Katana Basics
Katanas are forged under the watchful eye of master craftsmen that go by several names. There are toko, which translates to sword craftsman; tosho, or sword master; and katana kaji, or swordsmith.
What makes the katana different from most swords is that it features a slim curved blade that is single-edged. Its design and slim blade allowed the samurai to wield the weapon with both speed and subtlety. While European-style knights might win through brute strength, the samurai relied heavily on timing, speed and precision. It would be wrong to see the katana simply as a weapon. Instead, it should be seen as the heart and soul of the samurai themselves.
How to Identify an Authentic Japanese Katana
If you are a purist with enough cash to spend, then you will most likely want to buy an authentic Japanese sword at some point. They aren’t too hard to find but it would be a mistake to take a seller’s word for it when he says that his sword is authentic. You could end up spending $10,000 on something worth $100.
As such, remember some rules of thumb to point you in the right direction:
- An authentic Japanese sword made by an expert will most likely have a handle made of premium aged hardwood. It must be light and durable at the same time.
- While checking the handle, also verify that it has a mekugi. This is a small peg that is used to keep the handle and the blade together.
- An authentic katana will have wrapping around its handle; this is referred to as the tsuka ito. Generally speaking, you must check and see if the binding is wrapped tightly around the handle.
- Underneath the tsuka ito is the samegawaSAMEGAWA 鮫皮 "shark skin" learn more.... It serves as the initial cover of the wooden handle. It can be seen and felt through the spaces in between the bindings. Authentic katanas will have a samegawa that is made of ray skin.
- It may sound silly, but bring along a magnet. This will allow you to guesstimate what the material is the blade is made of. If the sword is authentic then it will be made of steel; if that magnet sticks, it could be the real deal.
- Ask where there sword is made, if the seller has this information. There are only a handful of families that have retained the traditional method of making a katana. If you find a katana made by one of them, then you are in luck. This is likely the closest you’ll get to becoming a real samurai!
- The hamonHAMON 刃文 "blade pattern" learn more... (line running down the blade) is one of the most crucial defining factors that can show you if the sword is authentic or not. Poorly made katanas will often have a straight line, as this is the easiest type to make. However, if the blade was crafted by a true swordsmith, then the hamon will have a unique shape which many liken to the waves in the ocean.
These are just a small sampling of what you will need to check when buying an authentic Japanese katana. Remember, you may be spending a large sum of money for this piece, so it must pass these tests with flying colors. If you’re still not sure, spend the time and resources to hire a trusted appraiser or katana expert to come along with you when you are considering the purchase.
Fakes and Reproductions
An authentic Japanese katana could reach prices of up to $10,000. There are also katanas of lesser provenance and quality that may appeal to those with more modest needs.
No less “authentic” swords of inferior quality can still be beautiful and gleaming pieces for you to display, pose with, or photograph. An ornamental katana could go for $100, even less, since it’s made of cheaper materials and is usually lighter. (Despite this, don’t go swinging your ornamental sword around – it can still do damage!)
One step up from such a sword would be a shiny Japanese sword that looks great and is made of decent-quality materials, but doesn’t have a hamon line on it. This identifies it as a “fake”, but the negative connotations of that term don’t mean this is a bad sword to buy. Great for display, and you’ll even get some real slicing power with one of these blades which top out at about $300.
The bare-bones, real, true, authentic Japanese katana for sale might go for $300 to $500+, even less if you find a great bargain. Check the wavy hamon line – this tends to identify the sword as one made via the time-tested processes of old (more or less). This doesn’t mean it is an antique; it is newly-produced, just with care and skill. This kind of blade can be just as beautiful as any, and is usually the top type that most collectors find the budget for unless they are true historians with much deeper pockets. If you know someone with a gorgeous Japanese katana in their house, it may well be one of these authentic ones which won’t break the bank for most.
Where To Buy an Authentic Katana?
In this day and age it is easy to go online and buy a katana from a website selling authentic items. With just a few clicks, you can have the sword delivered to your door in a matter of days. Of course, there is a risk that you could be buying a fake one without your knowledge so it would be best to check out the sword personally beforehand. If this is impossible, look at buyer reviews and see what others are saying.
There are the usual perks to finding an authentic Japanese katana for sale online. One key perk, unique to Japanese katana, is that there is no paperwork, unlike buying one in Japan itself. Online, all you have to do is click Order and then sit back and wait for the package to arrive.
Ideally, obviously, if you have a whole lot of time, money and patience, is to buy an authentic Japanese sword through an outlet in Japan. Inside one of these shops you can find katanas and other samurai-related goodies in various price ranges and quality.
Do take note that if you are in Japan, you will need to secure a permit to own a katana. Renowned retailers won’t sell you the sword if you don’t present one. It will also be pretty much impossible to bring the katana to the airport without the permit as well. No surprise there!
Why an Authentic Katana Is So Cherished
It is not just about owning a cool-looking weapon you typically see in movies, anime, and other media. Having a real katana is also about owning a piece of history, even if the blade was just forged last week. It is about being a part of a lost but not forgotten culture.
Each katana is seen as a piece of art, and the process of its creation is similarly revered. That tradition may be likened to the strokes that a painter makes when creating a masterpiece. How great would it be to know that in your home, you have a katana that was made with highly-skilled craftsmanship, care, and love?
While you are presumably never going to use your katana quite like the samurai did, there is nevertheless a profound satisfaction in knowing that you are a part of a noble and timeless culture.