The Art of Nihonto – Guide to buying the Japanese sword
Preface
Samurai’s history is a profound, eloquent legacy of ancient Japanese warriors in which millions of people worldwide are being fascinated. Samurais themselves played the most significant role in this thing- They went from the imperial army to reconstructing the whole system and reigning Samurai’s country for over seven centuries. Thus, one of their primary weapons, Katana (Japanese sword), began to have many important meanings attached as times went on. Katana is still deemed one of Samurai’s most significant cultural heritage in today’s Japanese culture.
To those who have yet to discover the real value of the Japanese sword “Katana,” – this article is for you.
Katana is beautiful
The Japanese sword is the kind of art that has grown over history. Swordsmiths over the years would make minimal changes to the blade’s curvature, the Hamon, length, width, and all the other detailed features to please the sword’s owner and let the sword hold its own identity. That is why Katana has become so beautiful. In every part of the blade, you see the swordsmith’s intent and Samurai’s love and aspiration for Katana.
Attention to Detail
Above brings us to the next part; the detail. It gets more important as you learn more about Katana. The blade’s significant features such as Hamon, the size, type of curvature, other segments such as the handguard, the grip, the scabbard, and the list goes on and on. One can only build a gem-worthy Katana when all these segments are put together deliberately. To see the monument of tremendous work by the swordsmith – It is legitimately an eye-opening experience every time you learn something from it.
Style
Blacksmiths regarding Katana were known to have had individual styles in their work. The five most popular ones were Yamato-Den, Soshu-Den, Mino-Den, Yamashiro-Den, and Bizen-Den, branching out to countless other swordsmith schools.
They differed in the blade’s design, the texture of metal, shape, etc.
Katana Is the Reflection of Samurai’s Life
Last but the most significant of all, Katana represent Samurai’s lives in the past era. The signs and artworks in Katana are believed to have been based on people’s religious/philosophical views. If you take a close look at it, you can tell that every Katana has a story to tell.
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Here are some of our customers who have purchased a Katana at Samurai Museum Shop in the past.
Here are some ways our customers appreciate their Japanese swords.
We also received reviews from our customers who purchased authentic Japanese swords. Please feel free to click here if you are interested in checking the reviews.
Here we call it for the introduction. If you are ready to get a Katana, we are happy to assist you as much as you need.
SAMURAI MUSEUM
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$7,042.43
DELIVERY TIME : Approx. 1-1.5 months
*We ship from Tokyo, Japan. There might be delay in shipment depending on countries.
SHIPPING TO :
USA, UK, Canada, Mexico, Germany , Hong Kong, France, Finland, Australia
*Please contact us prior to purchase if your country isn’t listed.
INCLUDED : Koshirae (Decorative Sword Mounting), Traditional Sword Carrying Case, Sword Maintenance Kit, Full Exportation Support
Category |
Katana (Gendaito)
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Age |
the 11th year of the Heisei era (1999) |
Swordsmith |
Bugei Jyu Kanekuni (武芸住兼国) |
Certificate |
– |
Location |
Gifu Prefecture |
Blade Size |
Cutting Edge Length: 73.0 cm (28.7 inches)
Curvature: 1.8 cm (0.71 inches)
|
More photos& videos available on request. Please feel free to contact us.
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$16,005.53
DELIVERY TIME : Approx. 1-1.5 months
*We ship from Tokyo, Japan. There might be delay in shipment depending on countries.
SHIPPING TO :
USA, Canada, Mexico, Germany , Belgium, France, Finland, Hong Kong, Australia
*Please contact us prior to purchase if your country isn’t listed.
INCLUDED : NTHK Kanteisho Certificate for the blade and Koshirae, Koshirae Mounting, Shirasaya Case, Traditional Sword Carrying Case, Sword Maintenance Kit, Full Exportation Support
Category |
Katana (Shinto) |
Age |
Meireki era (1655-1658: Early Edo Period) |
Swordsmith |
Kishu Jyu Monju Shigekuni (紀州住文殊重国: The second-gen) |
Certificate |
NTHK Kanteisho Certificate for the blade and Koshirae |
Location |
Kishu Province (Today’s Wakayama prefecture) |
Blade Size |
Cutting Edge Length: 76.0 cm (29.9 inches)
Curvature: 2.2 cm (0.86 inches) |
More photos& videos available on request. Please feel free to contact us.
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$14,084.87
DELIVERY TIME: Approx. 1-1.5 months
*We ship from Tokyo, Japan. There might be delay in shipment depending on countries.
SHIPPING TO:
USA, Canada, Mexico, Germany , Belgium, France, Finland, Hong Kong, Australia
*Please contact us prior to purchase if your country isn’t listed.
INCLUDED: NBTHK Hozon Certificate, Koshirae Case (Decorative Sword Mounting), Shirasaya Case, Traditional Sword Carrying Bag, Sword Maintenance Kit, Full Exportation Support
Category |
Katana (KOTO :古刀)
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Age |
Late Muromachi Period |
Swordsmith |
Attributed to Den Osafune Magouemon Nojyou Kiyomitsu (伝 長船孫右衛門尉清光: Unsigned) |
Certificate |
NBTHK Hozon Certificate |
Location |
Bizen province (Okayama prefecture) |
Blade Size |
Cutting Edge Length: 73.2 cm (28.8 inches)
Curvature: 2.5 cm (0.98 inches)
|
More photos& videos available on request. Please feel free to contact us.
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$10,243.54
DELIVERY TIME : Approx. 1-1.5 months
*There might be delay in shipment depending on countries
SHIPPING TO : USA, Canada, Mexico, Germany , Belgium, France, Finland, Hong Kong, Australia
*Please contact us prior to purchase if your country isn’t listed.
INCLUDED : NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Certificate, Shirasaya Case, Traditional Sword Carrying Case, Sword Maintenance Kit, Full Exportation Support
Category |
Katana( SHINTO) |
Age |
Early Edo Period (1641-1688) |
Swordsmith |
Hizen Koku Jyu Omi no Daijyo Fujiwara Tadahiro
(肥前国住近江大掾藤原忠広) |
Certificate |
NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Certificate |
Location |
Hizen province (Today’s Saga prefecture) |
Blade Size |
Cutting Edge Length: 69.2 cm(27.2 inches)
Curvature: 2.2 cm(0.86 inches) |
More photos& videos available on request. Please feel free to contact us.
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$4,161.44
DELIVERY TIME : Approx. 1-1.5 months
*We ship from Tokyo, Japan. There might be delay in shipment depending on countries.
SHIPPING TO :
USA, Canada, Mexico, Germany , Hong Kong, France, Australia
*Please contact us prior to purchase if your country isn’t listed.
INCLUDED : NTHK Kanteisho Certificate for the blade, Shirasaya Case, Traditional Sword Carrying Case, Sword Maintenance Kit, Full Exportation Support
Category |
Katana (KOTO) |
Age |
Eisho era (1504-1521: Late Muromachi period) |
Swordsmith |
Tegai Kaneyoshi (手掻包吉: Unsigned) |
Certificate |
NTHK Kanteisho Certificate for the blade |
Location |
Yamashiro province( Kyoto prefecture) |
Blade Size |
Cutting Edge Length: 67.5 cm (26.6 inches)
Curvature: 1.5 cm (0.59 inches) |
More photos& videos available on request. Please feel free to contact us.
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$7,042.43
DELIVERY TIME : Approx. 1-1.5 months
*We ship from Tokyo, Japan. There might be delay in shipment depending on countries.
SHIPPING TO :
USA, Canada, Mexico, Germany , Hong Kong, France, Australia
*Please contact us prior to purchase if your country isn’t listed.
INCLUDED : NTHK Kanteisho Certificate, Koshirae Mounting , Shirasaya Case, Traditional Sword Carrying Case, Sword Maintenance Kit, Full Exportation Support
Category |
Katana (Gendaito; 現代刀)
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Age |
Estimated Early Showa era (Early 20th century) |
Swordsmith |
Attributed to Nagao Hidemi (長尾秀美: Unsigned) |
Certificate |
NTHK Kanteisho Certificate for the blade |
Location |
Gifu Prefecture |
Blade Size |
Cutting Edge Length: 66.7 cm( 26.2 inches)
Curvature : 1.2 cm (0.47 inches)
|
More photos& videos available on request. Please feel free to contact us.
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$4,801.66
DELIVERY TIME: Approx. 1-1.5 months
*We ship from Tokyo, Japan. There might be delay in shipment depending on countries.
SHIPPING TO:
USA, Canada, Mexico, Germany , Belgium, France, Finland, Hong Kong, Australia
*Please contact us prior to purchase if your country isn’t listed.
INCLUDED: NBTHK Hozon Certificate, Koshirae Case (Decorative Sword Mounting), Traditional Sword Carrying Bag, Sword Maintenance Kit, Full Exportation Support
Category |
Katana (KOTO :古刀)
|
Age |
Late Muromachi Period |
Swordsmith |
Kaneharu (兼春) |
Certificate |
NBTHK Hozon Certificate |
Location |
Mino province (Today’s Mino prefecture) |
Blade Size |
Cutting Edge Length: 70.6 cm ( 27.8 inches)
Curvature: 0.6 cm (0.23 inches)
|
More photos& videos available on request. Please feel free to contact us.
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$28,809.96
DELIVERY TIME : Approx. 1-1.5 months
*We ship from Tokyo, Japan. There might be delay in shipment depending on countries.
SHIPPING TO :
USA, Canada, Mexico, Germany , Belgium, France, Finland, Hong Kong, Australia
*Please contact us prior to purchase if your country isn’t listed.
INCLUDED : NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Certificate, Shirasaya Case, Koshirae Mounting, Traditional Sword Carrying Case, Sword Maintenance Kit, Full Exportation Support
Category |
Katana ( SHIN SHIN TO) |
Age |
6th year of the Ansei era (1859) |
Swordsmith |
Minamoto Masao (源正雄) |
Certificate |
NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Certificate |
Location |
Ezo province (Today’s Hokkaido prefecture) |
Blade Size |
Cutting Edge Length: 70.5 cm (27.7 inches)
Curvature: 2.0 cm (0.79 inches) |
More photos& videos available on request. Please feel free to contact us.
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$4,481.55
DELIVERY TIME : Approx. 1-1.5 months
*We ship from Tokyo, Japan. There might be delay in shipment depending on countries.
SHIPPING TO :
USA, Canada, Mexico, Germany , Hong Kong, France, Australia
*Please contact us prior to purchase if your country isn’t listed.
INCLUDED : NTHK Kanteisho Certificate for the blade, Shirasaya Case, Traditional Sword Carrying Case, Sword Maintenance Kit, Full Exportation Support
Category |
Katana (KOTO) |
Age |
Kansei era (1460-1466: Muromachi period) |
Swordsmith |
Oshu Hojyu (奥州宝寿: Unsigned) |
Certificate |
NTHK Kanteisho Certificate for the blade |
Location |
Mutsu province( Tohoku region) |
Blade Size |
Cutting Edge Length: 74.3 cm (29.2 inches)
Curvature: 2.1 cm (0.82 inches) |
More photos& videos available on request. Please feel free to contact us.
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$8,963.10
DELIVERY TIME : Approx. 1-1.5 months
*We ship from Tokyo, Japan. There might be delay in shipment depending on countries.
SHIPPING TO :
USA, Canada, Mexico, Germany , Belgium, France, Finland, Hong Kong, Australia
*Please contact us prior to purchase if your country isn’t listed.
INCLUDED : NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Certificate, Koshirae Mounting, Traditional Sword Carrying Case, Sword Maintenance Kit, Full Exportation Support
Category |
Katana ( KOTO) |
Age |
O-Ei Era (1394-1428: Early Muromachi period) |
Swordsmith |
attributed to Kashu Ietsugu (加州家次: Unsigned) |
Certificate |
NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Certificate |
Location |
Kaga Province (Today’s Ishikawa prefecture) |
Blade Size |
Cutting Edge Length: 73.9 cm (29.1 inches)
Curvature: 1.81 cm (0.71 inches) |
More photos& videos available on request. Please feel free to contact us.