Green Tea Forum

Oni · 2nd Degree Black Belt Joined: 15 Mar 2008 Posts: 213

I have been always fascinated by the japanese swords especially the samurai sword. I recently have seen on Discovery channel how the Katana is made, and that it is a highly functional weapon, even in modern times it cannot be outmatched by any cutting tool on this planet. I have seen on youtube that a Katana can cut a bullet in two when fired upon its sharp edge, and another movie showed that a real shinken/nihonto cannot be cut through by a water cutter that can split almost any metal but the Katana no. I red that there are few functional and acknowledged sword smiths in japan and they are only allowed 24 sword a year, and in the II WW japanese were equipped with katana so they are still making it.
The pourpose of this is: I need to get one no matter the cost and time, if somebody can help, especially who lives in japan, please write.

Kevangogh · Forum God Joined: 19 Jul 2005 Posts: 916 Location: Japan

I have one I inherited, made in late 1600's, really nice. Not for sale though.

The best place to find them is in the USA as many were taken there after the war as souvenirs. They're not cheap....

kenny.kor · White Belt Joined: 24 Feb 2008 Posts: 33

swords like that will remain in japan unless they are made outside of japan.

there is a law prohibiting a blade to be attached to shipped items outside of japan.

i don't know the details, but if you have a sword like that in this day and age that isn't already outside of japan, short of knowing someone in customs, you're not getting it into your country.

they can not ship the blade, only the hilt. kinda weird but that's what's up.

i heard this from a few people but i have not researched this myself. so you should really check this out.

i have never heard of people buying these kinds of swords in japan directly from the masters. people go to sword schools to train and if the school is taught by a sword master he will make the students with talent and dedication (people who don't drop out) a sword (for a reasonable price or for free) in honor of them.

i don't know the vocab but i'm sure you can understand.

Oni · 2nd Degree Black Belt Joined: 15 Mar 2008 Posts: 213

I have seen two sites that say they sell authentic shinken, the first is www.jidai.jp , and the second is http://www.nihontoantiques.com , please check these sites and tell me your opinion, first of all are those real, and are they worth it for over 10000$.

Kevangogh · Forum God Joined: 19 Jul 2005 Posts: 916 Location: Japan

There are many authentic Japanese swords outside of Japan, you can own one if you have the money. Better do your research though, there are many fakes as well.

Hushfield · Brown Belt Joined: 30 May 2008 Posts: 49

I had a few lectures on katana at the university were I study, and the following is some information I remember from those lectures.

Some background information (feel free to skip this)
The high-quality katana you mention, are hand-made katana created through folding the tama-hagane or iron ore, about 40 times. This creates an incredibly strong steel. A layer of clay-like substance is put onto the blade unevenly between the cutting side and dull/back side of the blade. This enables the smith to let the steel cool down fast on the cutting side of the blade (thus making it harder), while creating a softer, more flexible backside of the blade (making it less prone to breaking). This creates a wavy pattern known as hamon on the blade.

What might help if you want to buy a sword
In Japan, there is an official organisation that judges the quality of a sword, and accordingly grants it a quality certificate. I forgot what the name of this organisation was, but I do remember that the highest quality swords can have the price of a (small) house. If you want to buy a sword, especially a more expensive one, be sure to get one with one of these quality certificates.

The katana worn by the Japanese army during WWII are called gunto or military swords. Almost all gunto were made in factories, and do not have the same strength as some of the high-quality handmade swords. Gunto also do not have a hamon, for obvious reasons. As Kevin mentioned, most of these swords were taken to the US after the war by American soldiers who wanted a souvenir.
So if you cannot get a sword from Japan (I had no idea there where such heavy restrictions on the transportation of Japanese swords), you might be able to buy a gunto in the US.

Hope this helps
cheers
H

wehayley · 2nd Degree Black Belt Joined: 20 Jun 2006 Posts: 195

I guess I'm joining the party late, but I saw the same Discovery Channel program - fascinating stuff. In fact, I enjoyed it so much, I recorded it and have watched it yet again. If you're really interested in Kendo, you may want to pick up almost any book by Dave Lowry...

Kevangogh · Forum God Joined: 19 Jul 2005 Posts: 916 Location: Japan

Here you go, the real deal...

(hard to take these and hold onto it at the same time!)

This is actually a "wakizashi", or short sword, samurai usually carried two.

Oni · 2nd Degree Black Belt Joined: 15 Mar 2008 Posts: 213

Thank you for the pictures. I hope someday I will own one like that.

Kevangogh · Forum God Joined: 19 Jul 2005 Posts: 916 Location: Japan

The best place to look is in the USA, they are out there. Beware of fakes...

wehayley · 2nd Degree Black Belt Joined: 20 Jun 2006 Posts: 195

I understand that many of the older swords (in good shape) are selling for six figures. Kevin is absolutely right, there are plenty of fakes out there, however, also some good reproductions that sell for "reasonable" prices. It's just that beyond the surface, you won't get that old school Japanese craftmanship. Of course, if you're not looking to cut someone in half, you may be totally satisfied with a reproduction...

Oni · 2nd Degree Black Belt Joined: 15 Mar 2008 Posts: 213

Maybe the knowledge that I could cut someone in half would satisfy me.

Chip · Posted: Nov 01, 2008 10:49 am Post subject:

Ryan · Sensei Joined: 19 Jul 2005 Posts: 475

I have a light saber that can cut people in half.

spacesamurai · 2nd Degree Black Belt Joined: 02 Feb 2007 Posts: 204

I've always thought this was a good place to look if you want to spend less than the price of a car or a house. I guess it depends on how authentic you want it.

http://www.bugei.com/