Nihonto antique katana

Unfortunately, the internet has led to many counterfeits being offered as genuine Japanese swords.

Here you will find the original. Often with corresponding papers from external specialists. These are historical swords with a history.

Katana: One sword, many names

The word katana would literally mean sabre in German.
In other words, a single-edged sword with a curved blade.

It can be understood as an umbrella term for a group of Japanese swords.

However, the term is mostly used here for swords with an overall length of around one metre and other specific characteristics.

However, there are many alternative names that all mean more or less the same thing. We explain a few of them here:

Daito

Daito means big sword. It is another name for the sword known as katana.

The term is often used for the larger of the two swords in the Daisho samurai set. This consists of a longer sword Daito and a shorter sword Shoto.

The combination of daito and shoto is abbreviated to daisho. This set had to be worn by the samurai in public, it was their duty.

Kogatana

Kogatana is made up of the words ko and katana. Ko means small, i.e. a small katana.

However, the term is also used for by-knives, which are often found in the mount (koshirae) of wakizashi.

You can also buy this type of small katana from us, you will find it in the category Kogatana.

Japanese long sword

Japanese long sword is a general term. It has become somewhat out of fashion, as many people now say katana when referring to a Japanese long sword.

The term Japanese long sword also includes the sword known to us as the katana.

Shinken

Shinken is usually translated as "real sword". According to the meaning of the word, however, new sword would be more accurate.

It is a sword with a sharp steel blade that is usually intended for practising a martial art.

Nihonto

Nihonto is a name that should only be used for genuine swords made in Japan.

It is made up of Nihon (=Japan) and To (=sword). A katana from Japan naturally also counts as a nihonto.

What is the history of the Katana?

The samurai came to power in Japan around the year 1000. Since then, the country has been firmly in the hands of the shogun and the samurai.

The katana, the sword we admire today, actually only appeared for the first time in the 13th - 14th century. Before that, there were larger and more massive swords.

From then on, however, the triumph of the katana sword began and it is still produced by Japanese swordsmiths today.

Buying a katana - what you should look out for

Unfortunately, there are many counterfeits circulating on the Internet these days.

On the one hand, this concerns swords that are offered as genuine Japanese swords but originate from China.

But there are also some shops that are completely fake and don't send out any goods, or shop operators who falsify their CVs or exaggerate excessively.

So the first protection is to find a reputable shop and then check whether the information given about the swords is realistic.

As a guide, there are Japanese institutions that issue certificates, also known as origami, for blades.

What you can expect when you buy from us

The antique Japanese swords offered here are usually still abroad. If you decide to buy from us, we will organise the complete export and import to Germany for you.

We do not charge any additional fees for this. The price already includes all fees and customs duties.

As a rule, 1 - 2 weeks must be allowed for international clearance.

We will remain in contact in the meantime and you can contact us at any time with any questions.

As soon as your sword has arrived in Germany, we will send it to you or you can collect it from us.