r/Katanas

Another one from Grandpa’s collection

Any thoughts on age or origin?

Especially grateful if anyone can translate the kanji on the tang.

Another one from Grandpa’s collection

This one is unsigned.

Any thoughts on age or origin?

The other nihonto have visible harmon. This one doesn’t and I’m not sure what to make of the engraving on the blade. Possibly old but entirely ceremonial?

Another day, another “can anyone tell me about this sword?” post

Grandpa actually brought back several blades from Japan so this will be the first of several posts.

This is the most distinctive one - no tsuba, no menuki, nothing but plain wood.

Any thoughts on age or origin?
Especially grateful if anyone can translate the kanji on the tang.

This ShadowDancer katana tsuka came in for a new look and I was happy to provide it. This tsuka has very nice fittings for a production katana, very detailed and in a lovely wave theme.

I added new top level samegawa, polished and bright white and featuring an emperor's node. I then wrapped it in tsumami-maki style with beautiful Tetsu silk ito, imported from Japan.

I love how the first and second primary nodules aligned perfectly on either side of the last ito crossover, before the omote end knot.

It's off to join it's blade and serve it's owner well for years to come

So I recently purchased a Hanwei Musashi XL Light. Was really happy to find it as it was recommended by a sempai as a good early cutting sword for a reasonable budget, but they have been out of production for a while. I waited for 2 months because I asked the reseller to rewrap the tsuka and sharpen the blade before shipping (and they did a good job as far as I can tell, but were super backlogged) so I was giddy with excitement when it finally came. But when I first took it out of the saya I immediately noticed how loose it fit despite being allegedly new / unused (they said they got their hands on some old stock). And the saya honestly looks like it got moldy and is all brittle and seemingly coming apart on the inside. The outside got a lot of cosmetic defects too but I guess that’s to be expected of Hanwei?

Anyway my question is: Is this normal to happen to an old stock production sword or is the reseller at fault for misrepresenting the condition of the sword? Am I entitled to a refund? May I even have gotten swindled with a used sword, since I imagine it‘d be hard to verify the blade condition now, because of the whole blade sharpening and tsuka rewrap? And any recommendation for fixing it? Just shims to tighten, or something else based on the condition?

I have recenlty inherited a sword that i have zero information about, it has been kept in wrapped up in a cupboard for the past 40 years, was gifted to my farther a long time ago,if anyone has information on it if it is real or fake that would be useful for me! i am unable to take the handle off as i dont want to damage it because i dont know what i am doing.

any information is useful for me,i dont have anyone locally to me where i can take this into and get it properly looked at unfortunatly.

thank you !

i came across this menuki in an auction. it was paired with a seabream menuki. i would like to know what the menuki is depicting.

i tried to ask the ai but ai kept suggesting answers that do not seem correct/likely.

i did a quick search on my own, the menuki could be depicting tide jewels from japanese folklore, wispy soul, glass fishing buoy, etc. but still inconclusive.

Hi Im just new here. Here the describtion of the sword.

Shirasaya Sword 1060 Carbon Steel With Smoke saya

1060 Carbon Steel Shirasaya Sword Full Tang And Fully Sharpened With Smoke Saya

Sword Type: Shirasaya

Steel Type: 1060 Carbon Steel

Blade Length: 72 Centimeters

Handle Length: 25 Centimeters

Blade Width: 3.2 Centimeters

Weight: 1.33KG

Tang: Full Tang

Sharpness: Fully Sharpened

Blood Groove: With Bohi (Blood Groove)

Tsuba (Handguard): N/A

Fuchi (Hilt Collar): N/A

Kashira (Pommel): N/A

Menuki (Handle Ornaments): N/A

Saya (Scabbard): Smoke Saya Saya

Ito (Wrap): N/A

Ray Skin (Samegawa): N/A

Sword Bag: silk

Shirasaya Sword

You are looking at a Traditional Japanese Shirasaya sword. The blade is hand forged made of 1060 high carbon steel and it is sharpened and full tang. Forged from carbon steel, the tempered blade provides the correct weight and balance needed for the rigors of repetitive drawing and sword motion practice. Each blade has a deeply cut groove (bo-hi) to provide audible feedback when swung properly.

Blade: The blade has been hand forged through hardened high carbon steel. An aesthetic hamon runs down the edge of the blade and a Bo-Hi (groove) rests at the top of the blade. The blade is sharpened.

Saya (scabbard): The scabbard has been constructed from hardwood with smoke grey lacquered finish. When the sword is sheathed the handle and saya appear to be one solid piece.

Tsuka (handle): The Tsuka core is also the same smoke grey lacquered hardwood.

My uncle was a USMC WWII pilot (C-46) in the Pacific theater. Prior to his passing in 2020 (age 98) he relayed the story of how he came in possession of this sword. He had landed on a small abandoned island NW of Okinawa that had been used as a logistics depot by the Japanese. While scouting he entered what he presumed was an officer’s quarters and found an unused parachute and this sword. His buddy wanted the parachute so he grabbed the sword.

I was curious to learn more about the sword and thought I’d see if any SME’s might be able to provide more information. Not really interested in valuation so much as history. Thanks in advance for any help educating me. My uncle thought it was a Japanese Naval Officer’s sword.

This thing is beautiful 😅 Cost a pretty penny over here but it’s worth it !!

This happened in a neighborhood in Juarez, Mexico over a parking spot argument

So I originally commission this sword form Howard mid 2023, and received the blade in mid 2024!

I spent a few months planning this out. Originally, I wanted to do an airplane theme, as an airline pilot I thought and still think that could be fun. I toyed around with doing a military green with white and black invasion stripe theme.

But I like brighter colors, and wanted to bring this to Toyama Taikais, without looking too crazy! So I still may do airplane theme, but not for a dojo beater, which this is gonna be!

So after some work with Josiah Boomershine and Jason Yoon of evolution blades, I came up with a theme I was excited for.

I sent the bare blade off to Josiah the end 2024. Josiah polished it, and made all the fitting.

And it was sent off to Jason Yoon the end of 2025, who shipped it off to Korea’s. Once the saya was made, the Ito wrapped, it all came back to me. It’s 90% what i imagined. I had expected the saya and tsuka to match, but in person, I’m really glad they are different shades of green.

Now to find a Sageo for it.

Blade was $6500 commissioned form Howard. About another $8,000 between Josiah/ Evolution blades and shipping it around the world. I think all in was just
under a $15,000, but again, still need a Sageo. (Any suggestions?)

I inherited this sword from my grandfather. I don't know the story behind it, it has always been hung on a wall in his apartment. The place was very, very dry, so the wrap disintegrates, the pin also crumbled when I disassembled it. I kept all the hardware though so a new wrap is possible. But is it worth it? Is it a nice sword or barely a tourist wallhanger?

There is no visible Hamon. The only markings I could find on the tang are those in the picture here. No other markings. No tip weld visible.

Hello everyone! I’m new here.
A good friend recently gifted me a katana, and I’d like to return the gesture by getting one for them as well. I’m calling it the “Ultimate Katana” because I want the materials and overall accuracy to be as good as possible.

I’m looking for a historically accurate traditional katana, as close as possible to how most katanas were typically made in the past.
I understand that every katana is unique, and that different regions, smiths, and time periods had their own variations and opinions. Still, there must be some kind of general “standard” that most traditional katanas followed.

By “accurate” I mean authentic traditional design, correct measurements (blade length and overall proportions, etc) and proper traditional materials and methods.
I’ve heard that copper was used a lot and is considered “standard” in traditional katanas. Is that correct? I also heard that Silk is better than cotton.

The sword will most likely rarely be used for cutting. It will mostly rest on a table as a display piece, but I still want the best steel and material possible. I’ve heard T10 is a good choice. Is that true, or would something else be better for a high quality traditional style katana?
Could you help me understand what a typical historical katana looked like in terms of dimensions and materials, and point me toward options that stay true to that?
Thanks in advance!