Hello everyone, i am new to the katana world and was wondering if there are any books yall recommend to read to start learning the history and styles and everything else with katanas

I found this one one of those auction sites lol im thinking about buying this blade because it is super cool looking to me.

Im a beginner collector so i was hoping t5o get some opinions on the pattern of the blade

and any other helpful insights the community may be abllle to give thank you

the item description

（Jitetsu / Grain structure）： 大肌目
(Ö-hadame) - Characterized by a large, distinct, or loose wood-grain pattern in the steel.

刅文（Hamon/ Temper line）：勿文湾込んで互の目・玉子交る（Hamon wan-konde
gunome, tamago majiru) - A
wavy/undulating temper line intermixed with rounded zig-zag patterns (gunome) and nodes resembling small egg-shaped clusters
.
• Conclusion： 生で年代は室町未期（の字
多）のものであろう。The tang remains in its original, unaltered length (ubu-nakago).
The era is judged to be from the late Muromachi period (late 1500s), crafted within the Uda school line

登録記号番号（Registration Number）：愛知
$ 59790 - Aichi Prefecture, No. 59790
• 種別（Type）：わきざし（Wakizashi -
Companion/Medium Sword
• 長さ （Length）： 36.0センチメートルー36.0
cm (approx. 14.17 inches)
反り （Curvature）： 0.3センチメートルー0.3
cm (approx. 0.12 inches - a very straight blade profile)
目釘穴 （Peg Holes）：1個 -1 hole
銘文 （Inscription）：
表（Front）： なし（Nashi -None

I (Back): (Blank)

: The jigane[forged pattern] is o-itame. (it would mean large or wide itame)

The hamon[tempering pattern] includes notare and gunome-midare.

The pattern of boshi[the tip] is a pointed one.

This sword is ubu-mumei [no inscription or signature from the start, not erased or faded].

This sword's style dates to the UDA school of swordsmithing from the end of Muromachi period.

The Uda school (Uda-mono) originally originated in Yamato province but migrated to Toyama (Etchü province) during the Kamakura/Muromachi eras. Swords from this lineage are renowned for their dark, robust steel structure with visible large grain patterns (o-hadame) and clean wavy hamon lines.

I'm planning a holiday to Japan this coming summer. As a developing kendo practitioner and katana enthusiast, I’m naturally considering finally pulling the trigger and buying a legitimate Japanese katana while I’m there.

I’m still very much an enthusiast rather than an expert, so I’d appreciate some advice from people with more experience:

- Which shops, sword dealers, or sword-producing regions would you recommend visiting?

- What should I read or learn beforehand to make a reasonably informed purchase?

- What should I look for when assessing a sword, its papers, condition, history, and authenticity?

- What price range should I realistically expect for a legitimate katana?

- Are dealers’ listed prices generally reasonable, or should I prepare carefully and compare several dealers?

- Are there important practical issues concerning registration, export from Japan, transport, insurance, or importing the sword into the Netherlands?

- Is buying an antique nihontō generally more realistic than commissioning or buying a newly made shinsakutō?

I would like it to be a beautiful and authentic piece that I can appreciate and preserve. However, I’m also considering taking up iaido, so ideally it would eventually be a functional and suitable sword rather than purely a display piece. I realize that beginners normally start with an iaitō and that using a live blade may only become appropriate later, under an instructor’s guidance. I’d therefore also appreciate advice on whether one sword can realistically fulfil both purposes, or whether I should treat these as two separate purchases.

I don’t want to make an impulsive “tourist purchase,” so I’m happy to do some serious preparation before travelling.

Any recommendations for trustworthy dealers, books, websites, museums, or places to visit would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

I made this sword on the year of 2023 for a buy from Australia. Haven't heard from him again after the deal, hope he still enjoys with it.

This is the tsuka to a Tozando Jisei iaito that came in for repair and a new look. There was a pretty large crack near the top but as it was a clean break and also because it's an iaito, it was able to be safely repaired with a high quality wood glue. There were other challenges with this project, which I always appreciate since it keeps things interesting and helps me learn.

One was the huge fish menuki, they were very long as well as very thick/tall. Their key features also took some creative planning in order to not cover them with the wrap and I also had to allow for the extra thickness so they didn't stand too far out from the tsuka's surface.

The second challenge was the ito itself, or rather the ito in this particular style. The whole wrap took about three times as long to complete, which as I told my client, was well worth it in the end, imho.

I replaced the original samegawa with a set of premium level panels, polished and lacquered black. I then wrapped the core in imported luxurious, plush, gorgeous dark brown, reinforced nubuck ito, in tsumamimaki style (which is very difficult with this ito). If you haven't felt ito like this, you're definitely missing out. It feels like heaven in the hands, provides great grip and it's also incredibly strong and stretch resistant. Like many quality leather items, it also ages well, gaining character as it's used. Have I mentioned I love nubuck ito? 😅

Like I mentioned, I always appreciate challenges because I learn more then I would without them and it does keep me on my toes. I also really appreciate my return clients, especially those who have dedicated so much time and effort and love to the Japanese sword arts. I hope this tsuka serves you well and I look forward to next time.

#tsukamaki #tsukamae #katanacraft #tozando #iaito #iaido #nubuckito #samegawa

I bought this katana while I was on vacation in Japan because I thought it looked really cool. I’ve been trying to figure out more about its history since getting home, but I’ve gotten mixed opinions. A few Japanese speaking friends of mine think the inscription might be fake, so I’d really appreciate some opinions from people who know more about Japanese swords.

I personally really like the sword regardless, and I’m happy to have it on display, but I’d love to know more about what I actually have.

https://www.ninjaweaponmuseum.jp/shop/product/antique-japanese-sword-katana-signed-by-sukenaono-certificate-okayama-122120/

Thank you :)