5 Signs of an Authentic Traditional Japanese Sword You Should Know

Traditional Japanese swords, also known as katanas, are one of the most renowned blades across the globe. These swords are known for their rich history and are recognized as a symbol of Japan’s exquisite craftsmanship by many sword collectors.With its global popularity, it’s no wonder authentic katanas can cost as much as $200,000. However, many fakes and replicas are on the market due to their high price. Fortunately, this article is here to help if you can’t tell whether or not a traditional Japanese sword is authentic. Here, we’ll highlight five signs you can look out for to get a samurai sword and to know if a katana is authentic.

Swordsmith’s Signature

An authentic katana’s tang is usually marked with the swordsmith’s name or signature. During the time of the samurai, licensed swordsmiths would carve distinct designs or their signatures into the side of the blade’s tang. Traditional samurai warriors typically wore katanas with the signature facing outwards. This allowed the signature to show what swordsmith forged the blade, promoting the swordsmith’s skills. Most modern Japanese swords don’t have signatures. So, look for the swordsmith’s signature to tell if a katana is authentic.

High-Quality Steel

Due to its high carbon content, tamahagane steel was used to create katanas, ensuring that the blades were durable enough to withstand combat.Although this material is still used today, it’s quite expensive. However, most modern Japanese swords aren’t made using this expensive alloy. Instead, they are made using low-quality materials like high-carbon, Damascus, and spring steel.

Long Grip

Another sign of an authentic Japanese sword is a long grip. Why? Well, a two-handed grip meant that samurai warriors could make harder strikes. However, most modern katanas aren’t designed with much focus on the details. That’s why some have short grips. 

Sharp Edge

Another telltale feature of an authentic traditional Japanese sword is the razor-sharp edge. Due to safety regulations, modern katanas are produced with blunt edges meant for decorative purposes, not combat. On the other hand, traditional katanas were forged with sharp edges. As samurai warriors would wield them in battle, they needed to be sharp enough for combat. So, a razor-sharp edge is another sign of an authentic katana.

Certification

Katanas swords have official paperwork stating their worth, proving they are authentic. The Society for Preservation of Japanese Art Swords is an authority that evaluates katanas and registers them with a license.Authentic katanas are usually licensed to distinguish them from the numerous fakes and replicas on the market. So, if you want to tell if a katana is authentic, another sign to look out for is its certification. Meanwhile, the curved sword from manga must be certified before you can use it.

Conclusion

Traditional Japanese swords, or katanas, are some of the most recognizable blades in the world. Due to their popularity, many fakes and replicas are on the market, making it difficult to tell if a katana is genuine. Fortunately, although modern katanas are being produced, you can quickly tell if a Japanese sword is authentic by looking for the above signs.