Dear visitor,
You have come across this website because you are either looking for a Japanese sword or you would like to find out more information about Japanese swords and how to buy them.
These can be very general questions, such as whether owning a “real” Japanese sword is even legal these days.
- How can I buy a Japanese sword?
- Are there dealers in Europe or even in Germany where you can look at and examine Japanese swords before buying them?
Or what should you bear in mind when caring for and maintaining a Japanese blade, since they are not forged from stainless steel and are therefore sensitive to moisture.
- Do you have to sharpen swords every now and then?
- Can you polish a sword yourself?
There are also technical questions, such as:
- What is the difference between a tachi and a katana, a tanto and a wakizashi?
- Did samurai in the Edo period always wear a daisho?
- Why do some blades have only a “simple” Shirasaya instead of a mount (Koshirae)?
If you have already looked into the topic in more detail, then you may have questions about the relevance of official “papers” or “Kanteisho”.
- Who is the NBTHK or the NTHK?
- Does every blade have to have papers or a certificate?
- Does a Torokusho confirm the authenticity of a blade or can it still be a fake?
- What is the difference between Hozon, Tokubetsu Hozon, Juyo and Tokubetsu Juyo?
- Are Juyo Bijutsuhin and Bunkazai the same?
- Do swords always have to be signed by the blacksmith?
- Is membership in the NBTHK worthwhile?
- Can I simply send a sword to Japan to be polished?
- How do swords from different periods such as Nara, Heian, Kamakura, Namokucho (or Nanbokucho), Muromachi, Momoyama, Edo, Meiji, Taisho, Showa, Heisei and Reiwa differ?
- And how does this relate to Koto, Shinto, Shin-Shinto, Gendaito and Shinsakuto?
Whatever questions you have, we can help you on your way to your own Japanese sword. It is certainly helpful to clarify any questions before purchasing. Perhaps you have inherited a blade or received it as a gift; we would be happy to help you here too.
Please feel free to contact us, the knowledge and experience of the Nihon Collection is at your disposal.