Where can I buy a Japanese sword.

by Brandon
(Rocky Mount,Nc, America)

QUESTION: I want a samurai sword that is Japanese made, I do not want a knock off and I want a good quality sword. I have visited a website who sells their swords around $1000.00 to $2000.00 but I want the real thing, and I do not know a website where I can buy swords from Japan or maybe someone in America who made swords in Japan. So basically I want a traditional Samurai sword or Katana and I do not know a good place to buy one at.

ANSWER: Well, for a real Japanese made sword - you will need more than $2000...

Average prices are from between $5,000 (for a pretty basic blade in Shirasaya) to $20,000+.

There are a few Japanese based websites offering modern Nihonto. You can see some of the Shinken available at Jidai.jp and also e-sword.jp (though you do need to read Japanese, or know someone who does, for the second one).

Hope this helps.

- Paul