Tips for First Time Japanese Swords Buyer
Articles, guides, and a variety of historical information are abundantly available for any enthusiast interested in the study of Japanese swords. But when faced with hundreds of katanas, wakizashis and tantos from a number of makers, taking the leap to choose that first sword can be a daunting task for most. Many of our customers often ask us recommend a Japanese sword to them. There's much more to picking the "right sword" than just shopping by price alone. We've decided to compile a series of tips to help the novice collector get started on his/her collection. This is by no means a complete Japanese Swords Buyer's Guide - it's just some tidbits that we hope is useful to our first-time buyers.
Articles, guides, and a variety of historical information are abundantly available for any enthusiast interested in the study of Japanese swords. But when faced with hundreds of katanas, wakizashis and tantos from a number of makers, taking the leap to choose that first sword can be a daunting task for most. Many of our customers often ask us recommend a Japanese sword to them. There's much more to picking the "right sword" than just shopping by price alone. We've decided to compile a series of tips to help the novice collector get started on his/her collection. This is by no means a complete Japanese Swords Buyer's Guide - it's just some tidbits that we hope is useful to our first-time buyers.
1) Educate Yourself
Drawing from our very own experience, we advise anyone interested in buying their first Japanese sword to not be intimidated. If you don't know anything about Japanese swords, that's perfectly OK - do not let yourself be intimidated by the terminology. We are all novices too at some point.
The first step is to do as much reading as you're willing/able to do - japanese swords are a work of art, and their historical significance and evolution go back thousands of years. At a minimum, you should familiarize yourself with the basic Japanese swords glossary, as these are still commonly used by modern manufacturers (hamon, ha, saya, menuki, tsuba, etc.). It's important to know the difference between the most common types of Japanese swords: katanas (long sword), wakizashis (short sword) and tantos (knives). Some basic familiarity with the main sword periods (Koto, Shinto, Shin-Shinto, Gendaito, Shinsakuto), the different forging techniques (clay tempering, differential tempering, etc.), and the common types of steel used to make modern blades (tamahagane, damascus, etc.) is highly recommended.
There are a lot of great Japanese Sword books written - some with the novice collector in mind. Before you buy the sword, buy the book.
2) What's the Intended Use?
Just because you own a Miyamoto Musashi, or another kind of Japanese samurai sword, it does not mean that you are a samurai. A lot of vendors brand their Japanese swords as "battle ready". This is nothing but a gimmick word. You're not going to take your sword into battle, ever. Your sword will in most likelihood be used as decorative piece or for practice in a martial art discipline.
Decorative
For 99% of people who buy japanese swords, the intended use is decorative only - even if you buy the "real" thing (i.e., an antique nihonto). You should invest in a proper display or wall stand to mount your sword on. You will need to learn how to properly take the sword out of its Saya, and how to put it back. Being comfortable in this skill is a requirement, as well as a responsibility, of ownership. Besides cleaning your sword periodically, you will undoubtedly want to show it to your friends and family.
Practice for a martial art discpline
You should never, ever (EVER!), wield your sword around unless you have the proper training. If you're looking for a sword for a "soft" martial arts discipline (like Iaido, Tai Chi etc.), or a wooden sword or Bokken (Bokuto in Japan) for a martial arts discipline that involves contact, you should ask for instructor/sensei for specifics before you shop.
The Japanese believed a great deal in putting their swords through cutting tests - a practice called Tameshigiri. Bamboo cutting mats are often used nowadays for this purpose - but Tameshigiri requires the proper training by a qualified instructor/sensei. You should again ask your instructor/sensie for specifics before you shop - but you'll most likely be in the market for a fully functional razor sharp sword.
3) It Takes Time
Don't over do it - build up your collection slowly. Learn more as you get more experience with the sword(s) in your collection. It's OK to start with an entry-level katana, or even a reasonably priced samurai sword set that complements the katana with a matching wakizashi and tanto. The first purchase can be made on the basis of price and aesthetics. Then, as you build up your knowledge around Japanese swords, you can always upgrade.
If you have the space and are going for the "wow" factor, then you can keep adding to your collection. Otherwise, you can always sell the swords that you've outgrown (on the Swords.com Classifieds, Craigslist or Ebay) to subsidize your next purchase. The possibility of putting your sword on the market will actually force you to care for it the right way, which is an essential aspect of ownership. Never rush a purchase. Japanese swords are a big investment, and you should be 100% happy with everything you buy. Don't just buy a sword, mount it, and then ignore it. Take time to study it, to learn about it, and to appreciate it.
4) It Takes Common Sense
The ideal situation would be to walk into a store, hold a few Japanese swords that you like in your hands, talk to a knowledgeable sales person about each, and walk out with the one that you fancy the most, while knowing that you can later return the sword for a full refund if you weren't happy with it within a period of time.
Unfortunately, many of us do not have the luxury of a physical store next to us. Most swords are sold online - and like any online shopping activity, a certain level of common sense is required. Only buy from reputable vendors who have clearly written policies. Check the Better Business Bureau for existing complaints. Look for companies that care about your user experience - from pre sales to post sales.
We can't name names...but there are a few vendors out there who make a habit of duping customers - they advertise super low prices to lure customers in, take their money, and never ship out the items. One such vendor, who is listed in the top #3 search results in Google, has over 300+ listed complaints in the past 6 months. Sometimes, it's better to pay more - as long as you're dealing with a reputable site.
If you ever get a bad vibe about a vendor after visiting their site, or after your first contact with them, don't force yourself into buying from them - even if the sword that you're looking for isn't available elsewhere. There will always be another sword!
5) Join the Community
You're never alone! Clubs, associations, societies, shows, groups and online forums abound - find the ones that you feel comfortable with and join them. Pay attention to what others are talking about. Read blogs, or posts. Ask or post questions. Sword enthusiasts are a very helpful bunch, and most would go out of their way to help you and share their personal experiences and recommendations with you. It's probably one of the best ways to get acquainted with the world of sword collecting, and what goes into it.
As you build up your knowledge around Japanese swords, be sure to give back to the community. It's now your turn to help others!
6) Avoid eBay (for now)
Do not buy a second hand sword if you are a novice collector - unless you're buying from a reputable seller/vendor. Sword flaws are common in second hand items - some due to normal wear and tear (or rust from improper care/maintenance), others, more serious. A hairline crack on the blade across the Hamon means that you're buying a fatally flawed and worthless sword. These imperfections may not be fully disclosed by the seller, and may certainly not be visible in the product pictures.
We recommend buying a brand new sword from a vendor when first starting out. Second hand purchases or 'fixer uppers' are best left for those who have a bit more expertise in asking the right questions and those who know what flaws they're willing to live with. Such Japanese swords will inevitably need to go through a restoration process, which can be expensive and done right.
7) Age and Price
Age and price have no bearing on quality. There are some lousy antique swords in the four-figure range, and some excellent modern ones in the three-figure range. So don't let age and price skew your judgment. However, one the flip side, if something seems too good to be true (ie., a real bargain), then it probably is a cheap knock-off. Some manufacturers are in the business of ripping off the designs of others, and selling the "same" swords at a fraction of the cost. Pay close attention to the details - the steel, forging process, the sword furniture, etc. The cheaper versions will most likely be made from considerably lower quality materials.
8) The Best Sword
So now you know what a katana is, have some basic understanding of the types of steel and forging techniques that you're looking for, and are in the market for a Shinsakuto (newly made/modern sword). Here's the best sword for you: it's the one that you like the best at the price that you can afford. Japanese swords have an aesthetic aspect to them - so if you see something that looks very appealing to you, then that's as strong as a justification as any. There's is absolutely no harm in getting a sword that some purists would frown at - as long as you're happy with it, then it's the best sword.
Some collectors look for authentic swords that are handmade. These may run into the thousands, if not tens of thousands of dollars. There are still a few swordsmiths that make real Japanese swords using the traditional techniques. What makes them appealing is their uniqueness. Swords forged using modern industrial methods can also be of very high quality - while they lack in uniqueness, they can be very affordable and a very good value-for-money proposition. Manufacturers like Paul Chen, Thaitsuki Nihonto etc. make some excellent fully functional swords using tamahagane or damascus steel that run in the hundreds, and even couple of thousands, of dollars. A lot of collectors are very brand-loyal, and only shop by their favorite brands.
Other collectors love movie replicas - Kill Bill katanas or those from the Last Samurai come to mind. At the ground level are anime swords, which are typically made with stainless steel. Caring for these swords is a breeze since stainless steel blades to not rust - they're also very affordable.
Bottomline is that there isn't a right or wrong sword. Figure out whether you'll practice with the sword or just use it for decoration. Then determine if you want something authentic and a piece of history, something from a particular manufacturer/brand, something from a movie, or an anime series. Then, with a budget in mind, shop for your favorite looking katana, wakizashi or tanto from a reputable vendor.
Drawing from our very own experience, we advise anyone interested in buying their first Japanese sword to not be intimidated. If you don't know anything about Japanese swords, that's perfectly OK - do not let yourself be intimidated by the terminology. We are all novices too at some point.
The first step is to do as much reading as you're willing/able to do - japanese swords are a work of art, and their historical significance and evolution go back thousands of years. At a minimum, you should familiarize yourself with the basic Japanese swords glossary, as these are still commonly used by modern manufacturers (hamon, ha, saya, menuki, tsuba, etc.). It's important to know the difference between the most common types of Japanese swords: katanas (long sword), wakizashis (short sword) and tantos (knives). Some basic familiarity with the main sword periods (Koto, Shinto, Shin-Shinto, Gendaito, Shinsakuto), the different forging techniques (clay tempering, differential tempering, etc.), and the common types of steel used to make modern blades (tamahagane, damascus, etc.) is highly recommended.
There are a lot of great Japanese Sword books written - some with the novice collector in mind. Before you buy the sword, buy the book.
2) What's the Intended Use?
Just because you own a Miyamoto Musashi, or another kind of Japanese samurai sword, it does not mean that you are a samurai. A lot of vendors brand their Japanese swords as "battle ready". This is nothing but a gimmick word. You're not going to take your sword into battle, ever. Your sword will in most likelihood be used as decorative piece or for practice in a martial art discipline.
Decorative
For 99% of people who buy japanese swords, the intended use is decorative only - even if you buy the "real" thing (i.e., an antique nihonto). You should invest in a proper display or wall stand to mount your sword on. You will need to learn how to properly take the sword out of its Saya, and how to put it back. Being comfortable in this skill is a requirement, as well as a responsibility, of ownership. Besides cleaning your sword periodically, you will undoubtedly want to show it to your friends and family.
Practice for a martial art discpline
You should never, ever (EVER!), wield your sword around unless you have the proper training. If you're looking for a sword for a "soft" martial arts discipline (like Iaido, Tai Chi etc.), or a wooden sword or Bokken (Bokuto in Japan) for a martial arts discipline that involves contact, you should ask for instructor/sensei for specifics before you shop.
The Japanese believed a great deal in putting their swords through cutting tests - a practice called Tameshigiri. Bamboo cutting mats are often used nowadays for this purpose - but Tameshigiri requires the proper training by a qualified instructor/sensei. You should again ask your instructor/sensie for specifics before you shop - but you'll most likely be in the market for a fully functional razor sharp sword.
3) It Takes Time
Don't over do it - build up your collection slowly. Learn more as you get more experience with the sword(s) in your collection. It's OK to start with an entry-level katana, or even a reasonably priced samurai sword set that complements the katana with a matching wakizashi and tanto. The first purchase can be made on the basis of price and aesthetics. Then, as you build up your knowledge around Japanese swords, you can always upgrade.
If you have the space and are going for the "wow" factor, then you can keep adding to your collection. Otherwise, you can always sell the swords that you've outgrown (on the Swords.com Classifieds, Craigslist or Ebay) to subsidize your next purchase. The possibility of putting your sword on the market will actually force you to care for it the right way, which is an essential aspect of ownership. Never rush a purchase. Japanese swords are a big investment, and you should be 100% happy with everything you buy. Don't just buy a sword, mount it, and then ignore it. Take time to study it, to learn about it, and to appreciate it.
4) It Takes Common Sense
The ideal situation would be to walk into a store, hold a few Japanese swords that you like in your hands, talk to a knowledgeable sales person about each, and walk out with the one that you fancy the most, while knowing that you can later return the sword for a full refund if you weren't happy with it within a period of time.
Unfortunately, many of us do not have the luxury of a physical store next to us. Most swords are sold online - and like any online shopping activity, a certain level of common sense is required. Only buy from reputable vendors who have clearly written policies. Check the Better Business Bureau for existing complaints. Look for companies that care about your user experience - from pre sales to post sales.
We can't name names...but there are a few vendors out there who make a habit of duping customers - they advertise super low prices to lure customers in, take their money, and never ship out the items. One such vendor, who is listed in the top #3 search results in Google, has over 300+ listed complaints in the past 6 months. Sometimes, it's better to pay more - as long as you're dealing with a reputable site.
If you ever get a bad vibe about a vendor after visiting their site, or after your first contact with them, don't force yourself into buying from them - even if the sword that you're looking for isn't available elsewhere. There will always be another sword!
5) Join the Community
You're never alone! Clubs, associations, societies, shows, groups and online forums abound - find the ones that you feel comfortable with and join them. Pay attention to what others are talking about. Read blogs, or posts. Ask or post questions. Sword enthusiasts are a very helpful bunch, and most would go out of their way to help you and share their personal experiences and recommendations with you. It's probably one of the best ways to get acquainted with the world of sword collecting, and what goes into it.
As you build up your knowledge around Japanese swords, be sure to give back to the community. It's now your turn to help others!
6) Avoid eBay (for now)
Do not buy a second hand sword if you are a novice collector - unless you're buying from a reputable seller/vendor. Sword flaws are common in second hand items - some due to normal wear and tear (or rust from improper care/maintenance), others, more serious. A hairline crack on the blade across the Hamon means that you're buying a fatally flawed and worthless sword. These imperfections may not be fully disclosed by the seller, and may certainly not be visible in the product pictures.
We recommend buying a brand new sword from a vendor when first starting out. Second hand purchases or 'fixer uppers' are best left for those who have a bit more expertise in asking the right questions and those who know what flaws they're willing to live with. Such Japanese swords will inevitably need to go through a restoration process, which can be expensive and done right.
7) Age and Price
Age and price have no bearing on quality. There are some lousy antique swords in the four-figure range, and some excellent modern ones in the three-figure range. So don't let age and price skew your judgment. However, one the flip side, if something seems too good to be true (ie., a real bargain), then it probably is a cheap knock-off. Some manufacturers are in the business of ripping off the designs of others, and selling the "same" swords at a fraction of the cost. Pay close attention to the details - the steel, forging process, the sword furniture, etc. The cheaper versions will most likely be made from considerably lower quality materials.
8) The Best Sword
So now you know what a katana is, have some basic understanding of the types of steel and forging techniques that you're looking for, and are in the market for a Shinsakuto (newly made/modern sword). Here's the best sword for you: it's the one that you like the best at the price that you can afford. Japanese swords have an aesthetic aspect to them - so if you see something that looks very appealing to you, then that's as strong as a justification as any. There's is absolutely no harm in getting a sword that some purists would frown at - as long as you're happy with it, then it's the best sword.
Some collectors look for authentic swords that are handmade. These may run into the thousands, if not tens of thousands of dollars. There are still a few swordsmiths that make real Japanese swords using the traditional techniques. What makes them appealing is their uniqueness. Swords forged using modern industrial methods can also be of very high quality - while they lack in uniqueness, they can be very affordable and a very good value-for-money proposition. Manufacturers like Paul Chen, Thaitsuki Nihonto etc. make some excellent fully functional swords using tamahagane or damascus steel that run in the hundreds, and even couple of thousands, of dollars. A lot of collectors are very brand-loyal, and only shop by their favorite brands.
Other collectors love movie replicas - Kill Bill katanas or those from the Last Samurai come to mind. At the ground level are anime swords, which are typically made with stainless steel. Caring for these swords is a breeze since stainless steel blades to not rust - they're also very affordable.
Bottomline is that there isn't a right or wrong sword. Figure out whether you'll practice with the sword or just use it for decoration. Then determine if you want something authentic and a piece of history, something from a particular manufacturer/brand, something from a movie, or an anime series. Then, with a budget in mind, shop for your favorite looking katana, wakizashi or tanto from a reputable vendor.
