Reputable website for purchasing real Japanese katanas

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Xuco

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So, I'm looking for a website to purchase a real Japanese Katana, I came across many websites but I'm not sure which one to trust.
 
What do you mean by 'real Japanese Katana'? Does it have to come from Japan? Does it have to be made using traditional techniques and materials? Are you looking for a certified antique?

Collector? Cutter? Display?
 
I'm looking for a website where I can trust what I'm buying, not like eBay, and yes by a real Japanese Katana I mean, made using traditional techniques, materials not so much because Tamahagane is pretty expensive. I just want a general website where I can buy anything from a low budget cutter, to an antique or a collectors item.
 
Any real Nihonto made in Japan will be made from Tamahagane.

Depending on condition, era, school, fittings, etc it is possible to get into a real Nihonto for as little as a few grand.
 
I doubt you'll find a site that does both low budget cutters and antiques but here are some reputable antique dealers that I have had good experience with.

USA
http://yakiba.com/ - run by Ed Marshall, a friendly bloke who is a wealth of knowledge.
http://www.legacyswords.com/ - run by Ted Tenold, another knowledgeable chap who is a retired, trained polisher.

Japan
http://www.aoijapan.com/ - run by Tsurata Kazushige, speaks good English and has new stuff on his site almost daily.

Happy shopping...
 
I think what you are looking for is a 'Japanese style' sword-katana. Not an actual nihonto which is the real deal and will cost you thousands of dollars- correct me if I am mistaken. If I am right, I would recomend nearly any Hanwei sword for a lower end and these can be purchased at places like Kult of Athena or at Nihonzashi. If you are looking for something a little more high end try Bugei. The advantage of Bugei is the James Williams sensei and Keith Larman inspect each blade- and while Hanwei still manufactures their swords the QC is what makes them 'better'. These are made for martial artists and you will not be unhappy with them as a beginer blade- eventually you are going to need a nihonto or one made by a reputable American smith like either Big Ear Forge or Dragonfly Forge, if you are learning a JSA. You will see it in the small things that most sword buyers will not likely notice but that really determin what is a usable sword. Like makeing sure the habaki is properly aligned with the blade and that the habaki fits the mouth of the saya or sheath for a tight and proper fit or that the tsuka is solid and well made and fits the blade. In my opinion the extra couple of hundered dollars spent on getting a Bugei blade new or used- is more than worth it. Hope that helps buddy
 
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Ah, I should mention. The companies I have named I have done so because I have actually done business with and know them to be fair and good dealers or I have known people whom I trust who have and who swear by them. I do not owe anything to any of these companies and I certainly do not work for them. I am sure there are other decent companies out there. Another thing- if you are just starting out you may wish to look at Iaito- which are alumium alloy blades used while you study a JSA- so you don't have an accident and loose a hand or a leg or heaven forbid a child in your family. A sword in the house is far more dangerous than any gun in the house. A sword is like a loaded gun with no safety and a hair trigger. Just something to keep in mind. If you do think a iaito maybe better for what you need a sword for, check out Aoi Budogu which is where I got mine or Tozando in Kyoto Japan. The furniture and blade are both made in Japan by the same sword smiths who also forge the nihonto. It is a great training and educational tool the iaito as th balance and feel will train you to recognize what a proper katana should feel and handle like. Good luck
 
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