Choosing your own katana: Somthing you need to know

Making a Japanese samurai Sword

Many clients often ask us about Japanese swords on disbelief…“Can I really can custom a sword here and ship it to my home while we are overseas”
Say the truth,after manking Japanese around 15 years,we have been made many swords from my friends from overseas,shipping is not a problem,shipping time only in two weeks,even faster.
But once I became a sword maker of Japanese swords, the lasting impact it has had on my life (and subsequently on the lives of our clients) has been truly profound.
It’s a little hard to explain, but a sword carries a sense of calmness, of focus, of limitless admiration. An object with a level of detail and dedication so extraordinary that it’s impossible to not be inspired each and every time you hold one in your hands.
 

Many Great Questions

When clients contact us at Dremsword interested in becoming an owner of an antique samurai sword, a great range of questions always come pouring in:
Which swordsmiths are considered to be the best?
How much do they generally cost?
Can you provide a certificate of authenticity? (yes, this is possible)
Which swords typically gain the most value over time?
How many folds are in a typical Japanese sword?
Who exactly were the samurai?
I heard that it was impossible to own a genuine Japanese sword? (not true, only about 100 national treasures cannot leave the country)
What key points should I look for when I invest into a Japanese sword?
How do I best display the sword in my home?
What is the difference between a katana, wakizashi and tanto?
Did Hattori Hanzo (from Kill Bill) really exist?! (well, yes and no ;)
What should I be careful of when buying a sword?

Lots of interesting, thoughtful questions, of which and I once had (and still have!) myself. And I love answering them! A Japanese sword is no small investment, and we all want to make the best decision of what’s right for us.
And such is the purpose of this article. I want to SHARE with you an overview of what I have learned over the years from my mentors in Japan (and continue to learn from), and my fellow collectors, from books and also from our valued clients.
It is my sincere wish that this article is helpful and inspiring. Consider it a jumpstart to the world of collecting Japanese swords. And what an awe-inspiring world it is!!
 

Purity and Perfection

A Japanese sword is a pure object made up only of nature; earth, fire, wind, water, and constructed by human hands and spiritual energy.
In NO OTHER culture has the sword been developed to such a level of technological excellence and attained such a position of spiritual importance as in Japan. A samurai sword is certainly Japan’s most-prized keepsake.
And to think a Japanese sword was essentially perfected back in MID 900AD!
That wasn’t a misprint… For more than 1,000 years, swordsmiths to this very day aim to recreate works of art to the level of masterpieces forged during the Heian (794-1185) and Kamakura period (1185-1333).
It is utterly amazing…
In this modern world so heavily influenced by the latest technology, here is an art form that needs not necessarily to be ‘improved’.
It’s an art form that exists to be cherished and respected for generations. And it holds a philosophy to live by.