How much does a samurai sword cost and what causes the extreme price differences?
There are very extreme price differences for samurai swords, ranging from 100 to 1,000,000 euros.
To make things a little clearer, we will roughly categorise the swords available on the market below. On the whole, the following tips provide a good guide to understanding how the price differences come about. If necessary, we will analyse the differences within the groups in more detail elsewhere. However, the following structure should be sufficient for an initial overview.
What is the best samurai sword?
Objectively, there is no right answer to the question of which is the best samurai sword FOR YOU. Because it always depends on the "intended use".
Video about price differences in samurai swords:
Decorative swords
Samurai swords that are only suitable for decoration are definitely the cheapest price group. These can usually be found for less than 100 euros.
Why decorative swords are really only intended for decoration is explained in the article Decorative sword and "real" swords explained. Decorative swords are usually machine-made in Asia using inexpensive materials. The main focus is on making them look as similar as possible to a real sword.
Ultimately, however, they are purely decorative objects. The price differences within the "decorative sword" categorisation are mainly caused by the use of different materials for production.
Decorative samurai swords can be buy cheap in our shop.
Samurai swords for sporting applications
Samurai swords for sporting applications have to fulfil completely different requirements than decorative swords. As a rule, they are priced between 100 and 2500 euros.
The minimum that every sword must fulfil for sporting applications is that the blade is properly connected to the handle and remains in its original shape when the sword is swung.
Swords for sporting applications are usually made partly or completely by hand. The price differences in this group are due to different materials and production processes.
In our shop you can blunt katana for sport and Sharp katana for sport acquire.
The samurai sword as an art object
There are and were true masters in the manufacture of swords, who can certainly be described as artists of their trade.
There are also specialists for working the blade, making fittings, producing the scabbard, etc., who all work together to create the "work of art" that is the samurai sword.
The use of cheap materials or production methods, such as those used for decorative swords, is out of the question for swords of this class. The manufacturing process takes a lot of time. Such a samurai sword also has its price. They are usually newly forged Shinsakuto or historical Nihonto. The price increases rapidly with the skills of the blacksmith who crafted the blade of the sword, as this forms the centrepiece of the sword.
You should spend at least 3000 euros on a very affordable blade from this range. There is no upper limit to the price. Contemporary blades from the master blacksmith Yoshindo Yoshihara start at around 30,000 euros, but the price quickly rises with special requests. The most expensive, officially auctioned samurai sword in the world for example, has reached a current value of over 700,000 dollars. However, the number of unreported prices for swords that were sold unofficially is much higher.
Video about the most expensive katana in the world:
