Help w/Katana choice: Up to $3k budget.

B

BarnZ

Joined
Aug 2, 1999
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I've started browsing for a katana, with the following attributes...but there are way too many choices so a real conundrum.

The sword will be for display, so needs to be historically accurate (as much as possible), with very fine fit, finish and a beautiful visual appeal, using the finest materials and workmanship available within the above stated budget of up to $3k, however I don't want to spend more than necessary so if I can achieve my goal for less dough all the better.

Thanks in advance for your time in replying with constructive suggestions.

Cheers,

Barnaby
 
If this is for display, why don't you buy something that IS historically accurate like a genuine Nihonto, instead of a replica of a Japanese sword.
With your budget constraints, I would advise going with either a katana in shirasaya (more blade for your money).
Or, a wakizashi in koshirae.

Here are links to a few:

This one has been there a while and I bet you could get it for 3K, or extremely close.
http://yakiba.com/Wak_Tomotsugu.htm

Here are several which could probably be purchased for your 3K and they are as historical as you can get. A few are papered, one is published.

http://yakiba.com/Kat_Norimitsu.htm

http://yakiba.com/Kat_Jumyo2.htm

http://yakiba.com/Kat_Kanenobu.htm

http://yakiba.com/Kat_Monju.htm

http://yakiba.com/Kat_Sukemori.htm
 
If this is for display, why don't you buy something that IS historically accurate like a genuine Nihonto, instead of a replica of a Japanese sword.
With your budget constraints, I would advise going with either a katana in shirasaya (more blade for your money).
Or, a wakizashi in koshirae.

Thanks S/C for the advice and links. You definitely have a point there. I wouldn't know how or where to go to have any of those blades 'fully dressed' out with all the fittings that make up handle, guard, etc... Sounds like a bit of a project.

Barnaby
 
Fully dressed out = Koshirae http://yakiba.com/Wak_Tomotsugu.htm
Resting scabbard = Shirasaya http://yakiba.com/Kat_Sukemori.htm

Let me try to explain a couple of things.
First finding a descent Katana in koshirae within your budget will be difficult if not impossible. If you find one, the condition will likely be poor for either the blade, the koshirae or both.
Second, if you buy a mediocre blade in koshirae(within your budget) you will eventually regret it, because you want be able to learn anything from the blade. All you will have is junk and by the time you realize this your money will be gone and it will be difficult to unload your blade in order to upgrade.

You would be better off buying a better blade in shirasaya, again more blade for your dollar. You will get a sword in better condition and higher value, because you are only paying for the sword, not the koshirae, which are not cheap either.

Swords are placed in shirasaya after polish to protect them. If you put a newly polished sword back into the old koshirae, you risk ruining the polish. One grain of sand can destroy a polish which can run into several thousand dollars. Not a happy scenario.

Taking a sword and having a koshirae made for it can be very expensive as well.

With your budget constraints, I would recommend buying the best sword (sword in shirasaya only) that you can afford. Then save up and buy a nice koshirae and display them together as shown in the attached photo.

Just my advise after 25+ years collecting and having made every mistake possible.

Katana:koshirae_display.jpg
 
Thanks again S/C for the insight on my proposed project. It leaves me now debating whether to think about increasing the budget for a proper set up with quality blade, or reducing the budget substantially and 'settling' for a very good reproduction sword. Either way it's an enjoyable experience and fun to learn as I progress with the hobby.
 
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