Sword collecting FAQ

I make sure to purchase blades that do not have any forging flaws, out of thousands that I have seen only few make the cut. A blade's price can range from a few hundred to a few million. Even with all the money in the world some swords just can not be purchased, as they are national treasures, and therefore cannot leave Japan. If you are planning to spend a few hundred on a blade, chances are you aren't getting a good one. If your eager to buy, I always suggest to wait a little longer, save up and buy something that is well forged. It is always a plus when it is accompanied with a genuine koshirae. But don't forget, the Koshirae is more a visual thing. The soul of a sword is in the blade.

Over many centuries the Koshirae will probably be changed multiple times primarily because it is made mostly out of wood, the blade is what survives. It really depends what period sword you are buying also. Be careful, many people claim that swords are a lot older than they really are. This is when a little research helps. A Kamakura sword is a lot more rare than an Edo period sword. This is where you need to know a littlebit about the Japanese history and major battles. During Edo period there was not too much fighting so this allowed the survival count of blades to be much higher. I really try to be fair with my pricing and as I mentioned I stick with well forged items. My blades and prices appeal to the average person whereas there are some vendors who sell anything like broken swords and some who sell only Juyo Token and higher. I return on a frequent basis to Japan always in search for the next great find, and I really like to make these hidden treasures accessible to the rest of the world.