The appeal of Japanese swords is far from trivial. Weapons as much as works of art, these long and short blades are both an expression of martial spirit and a status symbol.
Extremely sharp, fascinating because of their complex manufacturing process, they concentrate the passion of those whose artistic spirit is eager for the absolute.
In this very particular world of Japanese sword collectors, there are several trends, two of which stand out, both with the goal of owning exceptional blades. But before looking at these two areas of collection, it is good to take a moment to look back at the history and manufacturing of these works of art as well as bladed weapons.
Of Japanese swords, Europeans are mainly familiar with Katanas. These blades, which vary in size from 62 cm (Nagassa length, in other words, the cutting edge) to nearly 80 cm, appeared quite late in the history of edged weapons developed in the Land of the Rising Sun. The first swords to have seen the light of day are said to have appeared in the Heian period (794-1099). Called Tachi, they were long, curved (increasingly so over time), designed for use on horseback and carried with the cutting edge facing the ground. Today, very rare because they were often shortened in the Muromashi period (after 1392), Edo period (from 1610), Meiji period (from 1868) or during the Second World War to be fitted to the format of the blades of senior officers, they are often very old and, consequently, are sought after by purists in search of art objects with a long history. From the Muromashi period onwards, the Katana, worn with the edge facing upwards at the belt of the hakama, and the wakisashi became established.
These are the blades that are the most common today and are often bought in pairs (Daisho) to have matching fittings (fushi, kashira, tsuba, saya).
Start a collection
Before looking at the methods of assessing a blade and how to choose them, it should first be noted that, as with Rolex, there is a number
There has been a significant increase in fakes since the arrival on the market of Chinese or Vietnamese pieces of varying quality. Some are sold as real Nihonto (Japanese swords) by online companies which, to deceive beginners, sometimes also offer some antique swords. Beginners should therefore be well informed. First of all, it is best to visit a professional with a shop. There is often at least one in every major capital. This will give you the opportunity to appreciate the blades on site and to have a serious contact person able to answer all your questions. Europeans appreciate long blades because they give the impression of being usable. However, they are becoming increasingly expensive and it is best to keep them as decorative objects because you cannot improvise as a cutting specialist. And those who would like to become samurai apprentices will train with a master using swords
modern weapons manufactured according to the rules of the art. Because these weapons, if poorly made, can prove very dangerous for users (hand injuries) or observers (flying blades).
Kendo or Aikido practitioners with a good mastery of their art, as well as collectors wanting perfect products, will be able to look into the blades
offered by contemporary Japanese blacksmiths. These katanas, called Shinken, are often of exceptional quality and can be found for prices roughly identical to those of older pieces (between 5 and 000 euros or more, depending on the blacksmith or the product). Forged in a traditional way or sometimes in a more contemporary way (smith's hammer rather than dedicated apprentices), these weapons are often made from steel obtained in ancient furnaces (Tatara). As with a modern painter, you will have to choose the craftsman who, whether reputable or not, will guarantee its owner that his acquisition will increase in value over time. That said, serious sellers will be able to point you to the best ones.
Afterwards, it is also possible to acquire them on the Internet (some specialized sites) but here again, we cannot encourage future buyers too much to “touch” the merchandise which, contrary to what one might imagine, is not so rare.
Some shops, in Tokyo alone, offer modern blades of all types on several floors. Contrary to popular belief, these often magnificent blades are exportable and transportable in the hold when returning to the country. There are obviously formalities, but the dealers are perfectly aware and will help buyers take the purchased piece out of the country. Obviously, this applies to a modern sword, but there may be restrictions on certain older references.
signed by renowned blacksmiths. Again, with current computerization, it is unlikely to find a katana signed Massamune (blacksmith practically
deified) in a corner of a shop in one of the cities of the Land of the Rising Sun, and even less in Europe, where Japanese experts have scoured the antique dealers of the “Sixties”
in the 1980s, to recover the best of what had been sold by department stores in the 1877th century (after the Battle of Satsuma in XNUMX. Cf. The Last Samurai) and specialists – both French and Dutch – during the entire period known as “Japonism” which inspired Art Nouveau and the Impressionist painters.
Recognize the best
There is no point in quoting the best masters here; it is not possible to list them all, and few are able to read the ideograms on the blade's tang. However, it will always be interesting to select a katana with its NBTHK papers (a sort of identity card with expert opinion). There are a few sellers of very beautiful rare pieces in Geneva, Paris, Amsterdam, and elsewhere. Purists will choose pieces signed by renowned blacksmiths with polishing carried out according to the rules of the art. Be careful, however, as these surface treatments, which highlight the tempering lines and the hammering effects of the metal, require a lot of maintenance, and the slightest fingerprint, if not cleaned immediately, will cause a trace of rust that will require the entire blade to be redone (more than 1500 euros for polishing and a loss of material, therefore, a degradation of the blade). The Japanese sword requires care and method, choosing it is one thing, maintaining it to ensure it passes the years without fading and so that it retains its value is another. These blades are as beautiful as a bonsai, but you have to take care of them and ensure
to have an environment that enhances the room. Afterwards, it's all a matter of taste, culture and economic means...
Vincent Daveau
