Katana Empire

The Japanese samurai sword

The katana is, by extension, the term used for all Japanese swords, but basically it's just one type of sword among many. In fact, there are many different types of sword, each with its own specific use and characteristics. But the term katana has become emblematic and lost its specificity. In fact, it is this sword, with a blade measuring over 23.62 inches, or 2 shaku (the Japanese unit of measurement, equivalent to 11.89 inches), that is usually seen on any representation of a samurai. It is usually accompanied by a wakizashi, a short sword of smaller dimensions. The resulting set is called a daishō and represents the traditional pair of samurai swords.

What is the Price of a Katana?

The price of a katana can vary greatly from one piece to another, and the price range is wide. The most exquisite antique models made in Japan can reach up to $60.000, depending on their complexity and level of detail. Such a significant budget is affordable for only a few individuals. Naturally, the oldest models are the most expensive ones, as they are considered antiques, rarer therefore, and also worked on more extensively, due to the lower quality of metal available in the Land of the Rising Sun at that time.

These blades are still forged following traditional Japanese techniques but require less time to craft. As a result, their production costs have been reduced, making them more affordable. Thus, our site can offer you traditional katanas, hand-forged, and of excellent quality that will not strain your budget. The entry-level of our Japanese katana models starts at $200, and our most elaborated articles go up to a maximum of $700. We invite you to come and discover all our styles of Japanese swords in our online shop.

The Katana Wakizashi

The wakizashi is the same type as the original katana. It has the same curved blade but is smaller in size. Merchants were allowed to carry wakizashis, but not katanas, which were reserved exclusively for samurai. Samurai carried both types of sword. The wakizashi was more commonly used in enclosed spaces, while the Japanese katana was reserved for open spaces.

Today, the advantage of the wakizashi is that it is less imposing and therefore takes up less space. This is an advantage for those who don't have a large room or wall in which to display their Japanese sword. On the other hand, if you're not short of space, or if you want to stand out from the crowd, go for a daishō, a large katana accompanied by its traditional wakizashi.

The Katana Tantō

With a blade length less than a shaku, i.e. less than 11.81 inches, the tantō is also a Japanese sword characteristic of samurai. In fact, few other people carried one. Like katanas and wakizashis, tantōs were intended to be worn at the belt, but sometimes hidden in clothing, particularly among samurai wives. Its structure copies that of the katana, but with a shorter blade - not even half the length of the katana. What's more, the curvature of the blade is much less pronounced. The tantō is fitted with a tsuba, i.e. a guard.

The tantō is perfect for those more attracted to small swords. For anyone who wants to hold one of the symbols of feudal Japan and the samurai era, the tantō will be a perfectly suited objet d'art. More discreet than a katana thanks to its small size, it will nevertheless reflect your attachment to the values conveyed by Bushido.

The Wooden Katana

Martial arts schools began using wooden swords for training. This enabled samurai to train for combat in complete safety. The wooden katana, or bokken or bokuto, was subsequently used in various martial arts. This is still the case today. Aikido, kobudo and traditional jiu jitsu are just some of the disciplines that use these wooden swords.

The advantage of these traditional Japanese swords is evident; you can handle them easily and without danger. This can be an advantage, especially if you fear that young children might be tempted to examine your samurai sword more closely. In general, it is always beneficial for beginners to train with a bokken, the name of which means "wooden sword" in Japanese. The wooden katana remains emblematic and evocative of the spirit of the samurais.

The Katana in Anime

Fans of Japanese culture, and more particularly of anime, know that samurai swords are often found in manga. Whether in stories of pirates plying the oceans to become the king of pirates, or in Seinen manga recounting darker epics. It's the most common sword accessory in anime, and the favorite of all Japanese manga fans.

There is a category of katanas inspired by the universe of the most famous heroes. For those who want to recapture the spirit of their favorite stories, this is the style for them. It's up to you to find the sword of your dreams, the one that will transport you to another world, that of your reading, anime and video games.

How is a Katana Made?

The manufacturing of Japanese sword has not changed much since feudal times. It still involves a succession of complex steps to create this small jewel forged by hand. The blade of the katana is made up of several layers of composite steel, itself derived from raw steel. The exterior is made of different layers in a "laminated" pattern, as well as the core of the blade, which is more flexible than its casing. Then, the core and the casing are welded together during a manual forging operation.

Then comes the selective quenching process, which will create the curvature. For this purpose, the Japanese master artisan will coat the blade with a clay mixture before plunging its prototype into extremely hot water. In fact, the water is brought to a temperature of over 1472°F, precisely so that the back of the blade, called mune in Japanese, which can bend. Lastly, comes the polishing. It is performed by a specialized polishing artisan, a master togishi. He will polish the blade for as long as necessary using volcanic stones, with increasingly fine granularity.

The Katana sword, The Best Gift to Offer

A Japanese katana is one of the most beautiful gifts you can give. It combines the charm of a thousand-year-old tradition with flawless modernity. Who among the younger generations doesn't know and admire the values of the samurai? Indeed, over the past 30 years or so, Japanese culture has enjoyed a popularity in Europe similar to that of American culture in the 1970s and 1980s. Just look at the success of each Japan Expo. Mangas, martial arts and cosplay have well and truly replaced the American dream.

This civilization arouses admiration and passion thanks to its values of honor, courage and loyalty. The gift of a katana affirms your attachment to these remarkable notions, as well as the esteem in which you hold the recipient of this precious gift. What's more, it's a precious objet d'art, still forged by hand. It's therefore a unique piece of workmanship that has been perpetuated for some 600 years. A marvellous testimony to ancestral know-how.