New Arrivals — Juyo-certified Kamakura-era tanto now available. Browse →
Insights into Japanese sword knowledge and culture
Yamato, Yamashiro, Bizen, Soshu, and Mino — exploring the characteristics and history of the five great sword-making traditions.
A guide to the NBTHK appraisal system: what Hozon, Tokubetsu Hozon, Juyo, and Tokubetsu Juyo grades mean and their impact on value.
Uchiko powder, choji oil, and nugui paper — tools and proper procedures for maintaining Japanese swords.
For first-time buyers: how to set a budget, what to look for, and how to identify trustworthy dealers.
Legal procedures for shipping swords from Japan: METI export permit applications and import regulations by country.
Suguha, midare, choji, gunome — types of hamon and how to appreciate them, explained for beginners.
Masamune, Muramasa, Kotetsu, Osafune Kanemitsu — the lives and styles of history's greatest swordsmiths.
The history of tsuba as sword fittings, and techniques of master metalworkers: Shoami, Goto, and Yokoya Somin.
Exploring Japanese swords as assets: historical price trends, what makes a sword appreciate, risks and considerations.
Swords beloved by Date Masamune, the lineage of Sendai domain smiths — sword history through the lens of our home city.
Kondo's Kotetsu, Hijikata's Kanesada, Okita's Kiyomitsu — the stories of Shinsengumi warriors and their swords.
Japanese sword polishing is not mere maintenance — it's an artistic technique that reveals the full beauty of jihada and hamon.
The surge in interest in Japanese swords brought by Touken Ranbu, and the emergence of 'Touken Joshi' — a new generation of sword fans.
Saijo Owazamono, Owazamono, Yoki Wazamono, Wazamono — Edo-era sharpness rankings and modern assessment.
Choose a theme, keep records, build a network — building a sword collection with a long-term perspective.
Mikazuki Munechika, Dojigiri Yasutsuna, Onimaru Kunitsuna, Odenta Mitsuyo, Juzumaru Tsunetsugu — the pinnacle of Japanese swords.
Rainy season humidity, winter dryness — sword care wisdom adapted to Japan's four seasons.
The 1876 Haitorei was the greatest crisis for Japanese swords. The story of smiths who sought a path to survival.
Itame, mokume, masame, ayasugi — types of jihada and appreciation tips for beginners.
Personal property insurance, fine art insurance — choosing the right coverage for your sword collection.
Japanese swords were more than weapons. The multifaceted role of the sword as samurai soul, status symbol, and art object.
Uchigatana, tachi, and han-dachi mountings — how to choose koshirae suited to your blade's type and era.
Lighting, angles, camera settings — practical techniques for photographing Japanese swords beautifully.
False signatures, later additions, composite blades — key points for authentication and why NBTHK papers matter.
About 200 licensed smiths nationwide. The world of modern swords: preserving tradition while exploring new expression.
Chips, rust, breaks — restoration possibilities for damaged swords, and when not to restore.
Japanese swords aren't just the Gokaden. Introducing excellent provincial smiths from Satsuma, Tosa, Echizen, Kaga and more.
Sword stands, cases, lighting — a practical guide to displaying swords beautifully and safely at home.
The Sengoku era demanded mass-produced battle swords. The difference between mass blades and masterworks, and how swords were used in combat.
Proper etiquette when viewing others' swords, procedure for drawing a blade, and manners at appreciation events.
The shinto sword world that blossomed in Osaka. Comparing the two masters: Sukehiro's toran-ba and Shinkai's suguha.
From Kurosawa to Star Wars — the line between reality and fiction in cinematic sword portrayals.
The nakago is a sword's resume. How to identify smiths and eras from inscriptions, file marks, and patina.
Bonhams, Christie's, domestic auctions — pros, cons, and considerations for buying swords at auction.
'Katana can cut through anything,' 'They never break,' 'Muramasa is cursed' — the truth behind common myths.
Anniversaries, honors, retirement — etiquette and selection for gifting swords on special occasions.
Koto before 1596, Shinto from 1596, Shinshinto in the Bakumatsu — understanding swords through era classifications.
Sadamune, Samonji, Nagayoshi, Yoshihiro, Kanemitsu... ten master pupils who learned from Masamune.
Owning a Japanese sword in Japan requires a registration certificate. Understanding the system and procedures.
Tokyo National Museum, Kyoto National Museum, Japanese Sword Museum — a guide to sword collections across Japan.
Tamahagane from tatara smelting — the raw material of Japanese swords.
Shinogi-zukuri, hira-zukuri, kiriba-zukuri — types and characteristics of blade construction.
From Tomoe Gozen to Touken Joshi — exploring women's relationship with swords throughout Japanese history.
Three difficulty levels — how well do you know Japanese sword terminology?
Sendai domain smiths, Date clan swords, modern events — introducing DATEKATANA's hometown.
Latest market analysis — popular smiths, trending categories, and future outlook.
Kenzen Ichinyo — exploring Zen spirituality in sword making and appreciation.
Classification by blade length. Tachi vs katana, wakizashi vs tanto boundaries, and how to choose.
America, Germany, Taiwan — the current state of Japanese sword collecting abroad.