Look for the NBTHK Certification Paper Ranking or the NTHK-NPO Certification Paper Ranking. If you want to make sure you are buying an authentic sword, check the certification. It has been around since the Meiji period in 1900 and is considered the premier shop for purchasing authentic and replica Katana swords in Tokyo. Ltd have been selling not just Katanas but Samurai outfits and armor. There are several ways to buy a Katana in Japan. Be mindful to keep the weapon out of reach of children.Īuthentic Japanese swords called Nihonto are indeed quite expensive starting from US$3,000-5,000. For serious collectors, it is advised to seek the guidance of a martial arts expert or trainer before attempting to use the sword. Please do remember that you are buying a weapon that can be dangerous to yourself and others. The harder steel components are added on the outer blade to make the cutting edge tough and resilient. Softer types of steel are added in the center to add ductility. The reason for this is because high carbon steel will harden much more readily than low carbon steel.

This is where more than one type of steel is used in the construction of the billet which will be hammered out into a blade. One technique used for this type of sword is lamination. It lacks chromium compared to stainless steel, making it more durable but care must also be taken to avoid rusting.

They are relatively cheap and are great decorations for your home or office.Ĭarbon Steel is a good option in terms to quality and price. One advantage of stainless steel though, is that it doesn’t need much maintenance and is resistant to rusting and corrosion. The tang can also be unstable making swinging the sword potentially dangerous. It tends to be flimsy and might break upon impact. While stainless steel is great for knives, it becomes very brittle on anything longer than 12 inches. The high chromium component that makes the blade visually appealing also makes it too feeble to be functional. The blade’s molecular composition is not as strong as that of the Tamahagane. Stainless steel Katanas are used as show pieces rather than in real sword fighting. The longer the smelting process, the higher quality and more durable the sword will be. During the forging process, the oxidized portions of the blade will be easier to stretch making the hammering process more effective. The older the steel, the higher concentration of oxygen. The age of the steel affects the strength of the blade. This process ensures that the resulting steel is devoid of impurities and will have high tensile strength before it is handed over to the swordsmiths. They are then placed into large clay molds called tatara. The traditional technique involves repeatedly pounding and heating the metal until impurities are eliminated. This blade has a high carbon composition that is strengthened through a forging method.

The term “Tamahagane” means precious steel and is created from an iron sand composition. The Katana comes with a scabbard that matches a highly embellished blade handle. The Katana’s blade is sharp on one side with a chiseled tip. The handle or Tsuka is usually 1/3 the length of the blade. Parts of a KatanaĪ Katana has a long curved blade used for open combat. The Japanese have perfected the meticulous art of sword craftsmanship and any sword enthusiast would surely want to own a Katana as a distinctive symbol of Japan. The Katana is a weapon steeped in so much history, making it a highly sought after item. It had been used extensively by Samurai warriors from the 15th to the 19th century until the Meiji Period when they were forced to relinquish their swords. It was prized for its razor-sharp blade and it was light enough to carry and wield during combat. The origin of the Katana dates back to the Kamakura Period in the year 1185 but it was only during the Muromachi Period of the 1400s that the sword became a favorite weapon of choice for the Samurai. Until death, the Samurai was never parted with his sword. The Katana embodied his mind and heart, his loyalty and honor. The very possession of the sword imparts to the warrior a feeling and air of self-respect and responsibility. Bushido considered the Samurai sword its symbol of power and spirit.

Katana weapon