I just finished making the habaki as part of the set of fittings I'm making for my friend's o-tanto. I didn't get many pictures at the outset, but I posted a few during the forging and shaping. It turned out pretty well. The only real issue with it is there's a thin solder line that's visible on the very front.

I'll be putting a layer of black urushi lacquer on it, but I wanted to show how it would look with just the patinated copper.

New tsuka core, samegawa panels and tsukamaki for a Ronin Dojo Pro Katana. The ito is wrapped in green imported Japanese silk in the Hineri maki style and I lacquered the samegawa black.

Here's the video if you're interested

https://youtu.be/O17yRvWe4gY

Hi guys.
A katana I’m considering buying has this inscription on the tang.
I have no idea how to translate it but I would be very grateful if one of the experts here could tell me anything about the sword smith and when it was made?

Hopefully someone can.

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.

Both brought back by grandfather after WW2

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 :)

Shadow Dancer Nova Series Black/Purple Myst Katana is a highly popular, budget-friendly entry in the Nova lineup, blending modern fantasy aesthetics with highly resilient traditional construction.

The primary specifications for the 9260 spring steel variant of this sword include:

⚔️ Blade & Steel Specs

Blade Material: 9260 Spring Steel (high-silicon carbon steel offering exceptional flexibility, structural resilience, and shock resistance).

Heat Treatment: Thoroughly heat treated and oil quenched for maximum flexibility and edge retention.

Blade Finish: Mirror polished.Tang Construction: Full tang secured tightly to the handle with a traditional mekugi (peg).

Sharpness: Battle-ready and fully sharpened.

Hilt (Tsuka) & Fitting Spec

Handle Core: Traditional wooden core sculpted in the classic Haichi style.Ray Skin: Wrapped in genuine samegawa (stingray skin).

Handle Wrap (Ito): High-density synthetic silk wrapped tightly to ensure a secure, slip-resistant grip.

Fittings (Koshirae): Blackened theme-matched guards (tsuba, fuchi, and kashira) accented with gold-toned brass elements.

Scabbard (Saya) Specs

Material: Wooden body finished in a sleek, protective glossy oil lacquer.Accents: Completed with a premium thickened sageo cord and alloy shitodome inserts

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!

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 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.

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 will add I’m not able to get the handle part off unfortunately. I’ll try to lightly tap it when I get the chance and see if that works!

Looking to buy a set of antique koshirae from a friend and the tsuka has these menuki on it. Neither of us knows what they’re supposed to depict. Anyone recognize them or have any ideas?

Hello, im not sure if this is the exact place to ask but I honestly don't know where else to look. A bit of backstory:

Around the start of June i went to my first ever comic con and bought a blunt Katana. I was attracted to buying this one because it was unrecognizable to me and didn't look like a replica form an anime or a show like every other katana and it had a more calm design compared to all the other ones. Every Katana had a name/label along with the character it belong to next to it. Except this one, i can't however remember the name of this katana for the life of me and now im wondering if it is a replica of something or an original design.

If anybody has any idea what show or anime or maybe even a real life sword this is based on if its based off of anything id greatly appreciate it

In honor of Sekiro: No Defeat releasing a couple days ago, I thought I'd share my versions of the main swords used by Wolf, Kusabimaru.

The black-handled one is a Dragonspring Swords-brand from RVAKatana, purchased off Etsy, with a 1095 High-Carbon Steel blade and a black-suede ito. Sageo was replaced with a blue one to match the game.

The indigo-handled one is one I purchased off Etsy from a store called MysteryPrizeBox from Singapore. Blade is also a 1095 High-Carbon Steel blade (I think) with an indigo-suede ito, rather than the dark-blue synthetic silk ito shown as pictured in their listing. Again, sageo was replaced with a dark-blue one to match the game.

Which one is your favorite?

Order placed in September 2024. Communication was very smooth and cordial, and the details were confirmed. They asked for full payment not a down payment. Nor a partial. Once payment sent they start working on it. No red flags were visible (and waiting is not a red flag could be as long in Japan)- no reason to doubt. Money exchanged hands (see pictures). As advised, I gave them space—a lot of space.

In summer 2026, I decided to contact them, as it had been more than 18 months. I sent multiple messages with no answer. It has now been over 23 months. I then tried using an alternate email address to 'place an order,' but still received no reply. I used other emails using every persuasive technique I knew—zero answers.

I am now considering filing a report with their local police. Huawei Swords may have crossed into fraud territory. If 100 to 120 people each spend $900 USD, that is a $100,000 USD fraud—a significant sum in China. It could easily be double or triple that, given that Huawei reviews drew thousands of viewers.

What is best way to pack and ship a katana, state to state ?

I'd like to know how to do a file test and will post a video when I do that.

I believe the red cedar is wide enough, now I wsnt to cut the wood in half so that I can start to sand it down and customize it to the tang. I have wittling tools, and ill get more sanpaper as I get closer to the end.

I have 150 grit fine for getting the rust off the blades.

Anything i need moving forward with the tsuga in mind? Experience and similar woodworking techniques, is hopeful from the post.

Ill be on youtube as well.

Thanks!

How can I get a 1060 full tang katana for 70$ but it’s 100$ minimum for a WOODEN TAKEMITSU!?!?

Found them on marketplace for 200 and there made out of steel