Genuine Japanese swords

Genuine swords from Japan: real works of art

Treasured and respected for centuries - The genuine Japanese sword

The Japanese sword has always had admirers all over the world. This has led to the swords' unique reputation. Regardless of whether they are genuine Japanese katana, genuine Japanese tachi or other Japanese swords.

In our category "genuine Japanese swords" we offer a selection of historical and new samurai swords from Japan.
The offers are divided into Nihonto Antique, in this category you will find historical swords from Koto onwards, and Nihonto Modern, in this category you will find Gendaito. Have fun browsing.

Of course, you will also find the right accessories from Japan, such as Japanese sword care sets or Sageo from Japan.

Thank you for your interest in our online shop. We would like to provide you with some important information about Katana and Co.

What makes a real Japanese sword?

The most important thing: A genuine Japanese sword is produced in Japan!
This sounds logical, but for most providers on the Internet it is a fact that is often ignored.

The making of a real Japanese sword

Another decisive factor is the manufacturing process. In Japan, genuine swords may only be made by certified blacksmiths. The manufacturing methods are based on the procedure that has been used for centuries.

The steel is produced in a racing furnace (Tatara) using an optimised reduction process.
This steel is called Tamahagane (please do not confuse Japanese Tamahagane steel with the foreign imitation of Tamahagane steel).

The blacksmith produces the blade from the steel in a process that has been passed down from generation to generation over centuries.

The blade is further processed by a specially trained polisher (Togishi). The wooden and metal attachments are made by other specialists.

This is the only way to create a genuine Japanese sword, into which numerous hours of work by various specialists have gone.

How old is a real Japanese katana?

Basically, the swords known today as katana were forged from the 14th century to the present day. Swordsmiths are still active in Japan today and often forge swords on behalf of foreign customers.

The history of the curved Japanese sword begins as early as the 10th century and is closely linked to the social rise of the samurai at that time. These early swords are known as tachi and differ in some details from the so-called katana.

The reign of the samurai ended in the 19th century. Literally speaking, there have been no real samurai swords since then.

Most genuine Japanese katana available on the market today date from the 15th - 19th centuries.

How much does a real Japanese sword cost?

The manufacturing process of a genuine Japanese sword is complex and requires time and skill. The price of swords produced today is therefore usually in the 5-digit range.

Antique and historical katana, tachi and wakizashi are now at a very moderate price level. In some cases, favourable pieces can be found in the low 4-digit price range.

Of course, there are also highly exclusive pieces for several hundred thousand euros. However, these are rare and are generally not allowed to leave Japan.

The price does not depend on the age of the sword, but on the quality of the sword (which is closely related to who forged the blade) and the general condition.

The genuine Japanese swords are beautiful and in a class of their own. Nevertheless, they are priced in a segment that not everyone can afford. With slight compromises, there are cheaper alternatives that are produced in Asia using modern manufacturing methods. You can find these, for example, in our category Samurai swords sharp.