How to Tell the Quality of a Japanese Sword

Most people buy swords because they look cool, or they are or want to be a collector. Well if you ever take up kendo or kenjutsu those "cool" swords you bought for a lot may turn out to be actually a cool cash trap. While you're reading this you can learn some Japanese terms also.

Steps

  1. Image titled Tell the Quality of a Japanese Sword Step 1
    1
    Check to see if the Tsukaito (binding) is tight. Skip this step if there is no Tsukaito.[1]
  2. Image titled Tell the Quality of a Japanese Sword Step 2
    2
    Make sure the sword has a Sageo if you plan to use the sword.
  3. Image titled Tell the Quality of a Japanese Sword Step 3
    3
    Check that the tip of the blade is not at a very acute angle.
  4. Image titled Tell the Quality of a Japanese Sword Step 4
    4
    Consider what the blade is made of. If someone says the sword is carbon steel they probably don't know what they're saying, in this context (Steel always has carbon in it otherwise it would be iron). However, more generally, the term carbon steel is useful to distinguish non-stainless from stainless blades. A genuine ancient or functional Japanese blade would not be stainless, however. If it is stainless, it is almost certainly a modern reproduction designed to only be placed on a wall - it will have little value and will not hold an edge well, if at all.[2]
  5. Image titled Tell the Quality of a Japanese Sword Step 5
    5
    Learn how to check blade sharpness safely. If the blade has been properly maintained or is recently created for use (some genuine modern blades do exist) then ensure the blade is sharper than any kitchen knife you've ever known. Be careful of cutting yourself![3]
  6. Image titled Tell the Quality of a Japanese Sword Step 6
    6
    Check that the sword has a Mekuki (a peg that holds the blade to the handle).
  7. Image titled Tell the Quality of a Japanese Sword Step 7
    7
    Make sure the blade is not a triangle.
  8. Image titled Tell the Quality of a Japanese Sword Step 8
    8
    Look for the line you see going through the back of the sword. This is called a fuller in Western blade parlance, and it is generally accepted that it is used to lighten the blade, and make it more flexible, while not weakening it. Some other schools of thought suggest it exists so you could pull the sword out someones muscle and tissue which normally creates suction holding the blade in someones body (in which case it is referred to as a 'Blood Groove'). Rarely it may have been be used to cut out an impurity in the metal.
  9. Image titled Tell the Quality of a Japanese Sword Step 9
    9
    Check for shine and matte. The back of the blade and the adjacent sides should be shiny (there are katas which you use your katana to make sure no one is behind you by using the mirror-like surface of the sword), but the center and edge may be more matte (but still reasonably polished) and should have a wood-like 'grain' or water-like pattern (think ripples or waves). These patterns are unique to each blade (if genuine and not etched) and are a major part of a particular blade's beauty and personality. In ancient blades the pattern forms as a result of the layering and forging process, but in modern blades it may be 'fake' and a result of acid etching.[4]
  10. Image titled Tell the Quality of a Japanese Sword Step 10
    10
    Understand the age of the blade since Japanese blades can be classed by the 'era' in which they were crafted (eg. Gendo for blades made from 1877-1945). As a rule of thumb the older it is the better quality it is likely to be, although the work of individual smiths is a major factor in this (ie. an ancient blade by a minor smith may not be the equal of a more recent blade by a famous master). In particular any blade made just prior to or since about WW2 has a higher probability being mass produced and/or inferior, though some reputable modern smiths do exist. On average these more recent blades would be worthwhile for training or souvenir purposes, but less so as a collectible.[5]
  11. Image titled Tell the Quality of a Japanese Sword Step 11
    11
    Do some research. If investing serious money then before you do so, get a good book on valuing antique Japanese blades, look at as many as you can to get a sense of them (go to a museum), or (best of all) have the item assessed by a professional.
    • If the sword is of significant historical importance or value, and you have mucked it up by touching it bare-handed, understand that it costs up to $1,000 an inch to have it properly polished.

Community Q&A

  • Question
    I have a stamped blade that starts with H and Japanese lettering behind the H. How do I verify if this is authentic when I don't know Japanese lettering?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Copy the symbol onto paper as best you can then photograph it in Google Translate to read it.
  • Question
    What if the sheath and handle are carved wood?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Traditional japanese blades do have wooden sheaths, as well as wrapped wooden handles. It's okay if your katana doesn't have a wrapped handle, but it is traditional. Usually if your katana is unwrapped, it shows that the maker doesn't know too much about katanas, but by all means, don't think this means their work is low quality!
  • Question
    Does the Tsuba have to be a specific material?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Yes and no. The Tsuba can be of any material, but it is usually iron, brass or steel. But be sure to remember that if it's made of something like plastic or polypropylene, the katana is probably low quality. Wood Tsubas might be used, but try to avoid these, as they tend to be more frail than others.

Warnings

  • Be very careful when you are handling the sword - you may damage it or hurt yourself if you are not handling it properly.
    ⧼thumbs_response⧽
  • Do not try to sharpen an antique or high quality blade yourself unless you know what you are doing - you will likely scratch the blade, or even destroy the blade's 'geometry' (edge profile)!
    ⧼thumbs_response⧽
  • Remember the good swords are the ones that can hurt you.
    ⧼thumbs_response⧽
  • NBTHK provides the best information on sword etiquette and maintenance.
    ⧼thumbs_response⧽

You Might Also Like

Knock Someone Out with One Hit
How to
Knock Someone Out with One Hit
Learn Kung Fu Yourself
How to
Learn Kung Fu Yourself
Fill a Punching Bag
How to
Fill a Punching Bag
Do Tai Chi
How to
Do Tai Chi
Learn Wing Chun
How to
Learn Wing Chun
Defend Against a Knife Attack
How to
Defend Against a Knife Attack
Learn Martial Arts "Pressure Points"
How to
Learn Martial Arts "Pressure Points"
Do a Jiu‐Jitsu Arm Bar
How to
Do a Jiu‐Jitsu Arm Bar
Perform the Guillotine Choke
How to
Perform the Guillotine Choke
How to
Teach Yourself Martial Arts
Learn Basic Taekwondo
How to
Learn Basic Taekwondo
Do the Horse Stance in Kung Fu
How to
Do the Horse Stance in Kung Fu
Learn Ninja Techniques
How to
Learn Ninja Techniques
Train Iron Fist Kung Fu
How to
Train Iron Fist Kung Fu

References

  1. ↑ http://www.jssus.org/nkp/fake_japanese_swords.html
  2. ↑ https://www.sword-buyers-guide.com/samurai-sword-sets.html
  3. ↑ https://www.sword-buyers-guide.com/samurai-sword-sets.html
  4. ↑ http://www.jssus.org/nkp/fake_japanese_swords.html
  5. ↑ https://japan-forward.com/the-changes-in-the-shape-of-the-japanese-sword/

About This Article

wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 24 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 150,499 times.
16 votes - 79%
Co-authors: 24
Updated: July 26, 2021
Views: 150,499
Categories: Martial Arts