Nihonto Blog
How to Read a Katana Signature (Mei): Authentic...
Quick Summary A mei (銘) is the swordsmith's signature chiseled into the nakago (tang), and it is one of the most critical factors in determining a nihonto's authenticity and market...
How to Read a Katana Signature (Mei): Authentic...
Quick Summary A mei (銘) is the swordsmith's signature chiseled into the nakago (tang), and it is one of the most critical factors in determining a nihonto's authenticity and market...
Tamahagane: The Steel Behind Every Authentic Ni...
Quick Summary Tamahagane is the raw steel used to forge every authentic nihonto. It is produced by smelting iron sand (satetsu) with charcoal in a clay tatara furnace over 36...
Tamahagane: The Steel Behind Every Authentic Ni...
Quick Summary Tamahagane is the raw steel used to forge every authentic nihonto. It is produced by smelting iron sand (satetsu) with charcoal in a clay tatara furnace over 36...
Nihonto Care: Clean, Oil and Store Your Katana
Quick Summary Oil your nihonto with choji oil after every handling session, and every 3 to 6 months for stored blades. Target 40 to 60% relative humidity for storage. Skip...
Nihonto Care: Clean, Oil and Store Your Katana
Quick Summary Oil your nihonto with choji oil after every handling session, and every 3 to 6 months for stored blades. Target 40 to 60% relative humidity for storage. Skip...
How to Commission a Custom Nihonto: Our Process...
Quick Summary Commissioning a custom nihonto means ordering a traditionally-forged gendaito blade from a government-licensed Japanese swordsmith, with specs you define from blade geometry to steel type, hamon style, and...
How to Commission a Custom Nihonto: Our Process...
Quick Summary Commissioning a custom nihonto means ordering a traditionally-forged gendaito blade from a government-licensed Japanese swordsmith, with specs you define from blade geometry to steel type, hamon style, and...
Nihonto Periods Budget Guide: Koto to Gendaito
Quick Summary At Hozon certification level, koto blades typically run $5,000-$15,000, shinto blades $4,000-$12,000, shinshinto sits in a similar range and sometimes lower, and gendaito custom commissions start from $3,000....
Nihonto Periods Budget Guide: Koto to Gendaito
Quick Summary At Hozon certification level, koto blades typically run $5,000-$15,000, shinto blades $4,000-$12,000, shinshinto sits in a similar range and sometimes lower, and gendaito custom commissions start from $3,000....
Koshirae vs Shirasaya: Which Mounting Is Right ...
A practical guide comparing koshirae and shirasaya katana mountings, covering the real price impact, preservation differences, and commissioning costs in Japan.
Koshirae vs Shirasaya: Which Mounting Is Right ...
A practical guide comparing koshirae and shirasaya katana mountings, covering the real price impact, preservation differences, and commissioning costs in Japan.