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We have been collecting these links for some time. We are still
in the process of adding to and cataloguing them. If you know
of a link that you think should be added to this list please
e-mail it to us and we will review
it. I've catalogued the links roughly under reference,
modern manufacture, old
Japanese swords and polishing.
You may not agree with some of the listings and we don't either
so there you go! We think a modern manufactured Japanese style
art sword built with traditional techniques, regardless of
where it's built, should be listed with similar blades done
in Japan. We also think that a modern manufactured blade built
with modern metallurgical techniques can be the equal of a
prestigious Japanese blade, although perhaps not quite so
much a work of art.
When buying blades of any type the transaction is always buyer
beware. There are many fake and poorly constructed swords
out there so we make no recommendations about these links.
The descriptions you see are for information only and should
not be construed as any form of recommendation. If the forgoing
sounds like legalese intended to protect our buts, well —
it is. But we equally don't want to see you conned so if you
plan to spend a serious chunk of change start by joining a
club or association and talking to people who know swords.
Reference
-
- BladeShark
- Japanese Sword & Fittings Kanji
- This site will help you decipher the characters on your
sword and what they mean.
- Flaws
of the blade
- Pictures of typical flaws in blades and links to some
information on forgeries. English is a little stilted
and difficult since it's translated but still very informative.
This page appears to be part of The Japanese Sword Shop
site but at this writing I couldn't find a link to this
page from the main site.
- Highlander
Sword Shopping Guide
- This is a great introduction to the various steels used
in the modern construction of swords.
- Internet
Sword Collectors Association
- Must read for the new and seasoned collector. This site
contains a huge amount of information and the fake and
scam section is invaluable. Look at this site before buying
an old sword.
- The
Japanese Sword Guide
- Essential reading.
- Japanese
Military Swords
- Some excellent information here.
- Japanese
Sword Books in English
- We've put this site under both Samurai swords and books.
On the one hand because you can buy the books and on the
other because they are an invaluable reference for the
serious collector.
- Military
Swords of Imperial Japan
- This is an interesting site but you have to wade through
the Japanese characters to get to the English translation.
If you are trying to identify a WWII sword this is a good
place to start.
- The
Mantis Dude Presents
- So with a site name like that you will have to click on
it won't you. This site is full of reasonably good pictures
of fittings albeit of a single theme. Wonderful to look
at all the interesting fittings but most useful is the
section on reproductions (very polite description). If
you are a collector this is a good place to get to know
what to look for.
- The
Nihonto Calendar
- Important dates and times for the collector.
- Nihonto
Kanji Pages
- This is a must see site full of useful information. The
Kanji pages can make a good portion of the characters
visible on Japanese blades intelligible to westerners
and the pages showing fake blades are wonderfully informative
if a little disturbing.
- Northern
California Japanese Sword Club glossary page
- This is a great site if you are just getting started.
Set up by the Northern California Japanese Club, it is
filled with useful information, periodicals and publications.
- Sword
Buyers Guide
- This site has many sword tests and reviews. If you are
thinking about buying your first sword this is a great
place to start.
- Sword
Manufacturers Guide
- Covers the major manufacturers and contains lots of information
along with reviews, both good and bad. This is a good
place to start if you are looking for a modern manufactured
sword
- Toyama
Ryu
- Full of information and sword reviews. After looking at
the Manufacturers Guide above, take a look at the ratings
here and see how the two sites compare.
- The
Samurai Archives
- If you are a history buff this page is for you. It's also
great for the collector to help put sword and armor styles
in context.
- Tsuba
- Nice collection with explanations, styles and dates of
manufacture.
Modern manufacture Japanese style blades
- Angel
Swords
- Some beautiful modern manufacture blades in both Japanese
and European styles.
- ASA
Sword Works
- Based in Washington. Nice looking custom swords. You will
have to contact them for pricing.
- Bugei
- Great site if you want a modern live blade.
- Butouken
Martial Arts Swords
- Some interesting new manufacture Japanese and Korean made
swords.
- Cheness
Swords
- Good selection of moderately priced blades.
- Citadel
Swords
- Hand made Japanese and European style swords. Based in
Cambodia these blades are getting good reviews.
- DiCristofano,
Anthony
- Anthony DiCristofano makes beautiful swords. The pictures
on his site are very good but we don't think they do his
work justice. Also indexed under Sukemitsu.
- Don
Fogg Custom Knives
- His knives are beautiful and he also makes some stunning
swords both Japanese and European pattern. He uses differential
tempering on many of his knives and swords and the photos
are beautiful. Although his techniques may not be completely
traditional, if you are looking for a fine modern manufactured
sword, definitely check this site out.
- Dragon
Fly Sword Supplies
- As the name says, high quality sword supplies.
- Dragon
Fly Forge
- Beautiful modern manufacture swords. Great pictures and
usually some items available now. Web site doesn't always
work properly but beautiful work regardless.
- Dynasty
Forge
- Gold
Mountain Forge
- Impressive work. You will have to contact him for prices.
The Web site can be slow to load but very nice once loaded.
- Great
Wave Forge
- Lovely work. Both knives and swords.
- Highlander
Swords
- This site has nothing for sale but is loaded with information
about the Highlander movie and TV series swords as well
as information about swords in general.
- Japanese
Sword
- Lots of information on Japanese blades. This site offers
a services such as restoration and polishing. They also
can help if you are interested in commissioning a sword
from a Japanese smith.
- Jesus
Hernandez Blades
- His blades are works of art. He makes both knives and
swords.
- Kris
Cutlery
- A nice selection of swords from around the world.
- Legacy
Art Swords
- Beautiful swords and mounts both old and modern. A variety
of prices.
- Modern
Tosho
- Blades from modern masters.
- Morgan
Valley Forge
- Howard Clark makes beautiful swords. Although it's unlikely
you will be able to get on his list, you never know. So
if you are interested in a modern manufacture blade and
have the money to get something good than take a look
at his site — he accepts commissions on a regular
basis and occationally has blades for sale. Finished blades
are usually available from Bugei.
- Nishijin
Sword
- Modern made Japanese live blades.
- Ronin
Swords
- Modern made live blades. At the risk of actually making
a recommendation here, I have read a number of good reviews
of the swords available on this site.
- Samurai
Company of Japan
- Modern Japanese swords.
- Samurai-Sword-Shop.com
- For those of you in Europe, they have a nice selection
of blades. I like the honest way they describe their sword
offerings.
- Shadow
of Leaves
- An interesting site with some custom blades and tsubas.
- Sukemitsu
- Anthony DiCristofano makes beautiful swords. The pictures
on his site are very good but we don't think they do his
work justice. Also indexed under DiCristofano
- Welcome
to East Coast Martial Art Supplies
- A number of modern blades in various price ranges along
with other martial arts supplies.
- Zanshin
Ironworks & Design
- Good looking modern blades.
- Zhi.Sword
- A good selection of moderately priced blades.
-
-
Old Japanese swords polishing
- AOI-ART
Tokyo,Japan
- Beautiful blades for sale. Prices are in Yen.
- Art
Japan
- Even if you choose not to translate the site, it usually
has some lovely pictures of blades and other art.
- Art
Swords
- Usually some interesting items. Japanese swords, antiques
and other items.
- Authentic
antique Japanese Samurai swords offered by NihontoYa
- Nice site with a good selection of swords available. This
is southern California based site. Pictures are good but
not professional.
- Bushido
Japanese Swords
- Based in Honolulu. Some nice swords for sale. Sword polishing
available.
- CG Fine
Arts
- Very good images, beautiful swords with a wide price range.
Appraisals, restoration and translation are also offered.
- Dave's
Nihonto Site
- Although the animated flames are rather good we could
do without them. (This is just us and our views concerning
anything moving on the page.) Some interesting information
about restoration and a very nice graphic showing the
parts of a Japanese sword.
- Darcy
Brockbank's Antique Japanese Swords
- Beautiful blades with prices not for the faint of heart.
Great pictures and an elegant site design.
- Dejimaya-NL
- This is a Japanese site and usually has a few swords and
more fittings for sale.
- ejapaneseswords.com
- Good number of swords for sale. Pictures are not the best
but serviceable. A good range in prices with some nice
blades priced in range of the beginning collector. The
choice of course is going to vary so this is a site worth
going back to.
- Fredericks
Antique Swords
- Antique swords and knives, Japanese, German and Napoleonic.
Lots of interesting pieces. Not a great Web site but interesting
blades so worth a look.
- FREE
Japanese Sword Appraisals, Swords and Fittings, Fine Paintings,
Sol
- Lots of good close-up images and a good selection of swords.
Lists swords by price categories but not individual prices.
Featured swords do not show a price so it is left up to
your imagination. After viewing some of the detail pictures
I have a pretty wild imagination.
- Gaigin'
Japanese Art
- Usually some lovely work here. Photos are good to excellent.
- Gavin's
Japanese and Chinese art Where to see Nihonto (Japanese
Sword)
- Information and links to interesting locations related
to Japanese swords.
- Ginza
Choshuya Co.Ltd
- Some nice blades available. Prices are in Yen.
- Ginza
Seikodo Japanese Art, Swords, and Tsuba Since Meiji Period
- Absolutely beautiful photos and a good excuse for drooling
on your keyboard. Prices in Yen.
- Japanese
Art
- Based in Europe. Restoration work available and sometimes
swords for sale.
- Japanese
Art Swords
- Kenji Mishina Japanese Sword Polisher.
- Japanese
Samurai Armor, Swords and Weapons
- Some interesting armor along with modern swords both wall
hangers and some practical blades.
- Japanese
Samurai Swords Hawaii
- Sword restoration available. A very few very fine blades
sometimes available. If you are looking to buy you need
a fat wallet but browsing is free with some good pictures
to look at but not many detail shots.
- Japanesesword.com
- Swords are arranged by price. Lots of good pictures. You
can see exactly what you are buying.
- Japanese
Sword Collector
- Canadian site. Very nice photos. Occasionally some nice
blades for sale. Polishing available.
- Japanese
Sword Collector
- Run by a collector for collectors. Usually has a few nice
blades for sale. The sold gallery is particularly interesting
because it can give you a good idea of what a good blade
is worth should you be thinking of buying or selling.
- Japanese
Swords Arms & Armor Home
- Very nice site. Swords listed by price with some interesting
blades at lower prices.
- Japanese
Swords & Asian Arts
- Based in the Netherlands with prices in Euros. A variety
of stock and prices.
- Japanese
Swords Ltd
- Lots of bits and pieces new and old. Some blades usually
available with useful pictures.
- The
Japanese Sword Shop
- Nice collection of blades for sale. Pictures are not the
best but serviceable.
- Japanese
Samurai swords
- Usually a good selection of blades for sale.
- Japanese
Swords, Antique swords, WWII swords, Tsuka-maki, Translations,
Restoration, Sell, Buy
- Lots of good information and a few blades for sale
- Japanese
Swords, Ltd. - Items For Sale
- Some nice looking blades for sale.
- Japanese
Sword Society of Canada
- A few blades on consignment.
- The
Japanese Swords of the School of Hizen Tadayoshi
- Some nice blades for sale at what appear to be reasonable
prices. Site is good with nice pictures and hugely annoying
music in the background (the blade images are worth putting
up with this for a while).
- John
Stuart: A site for the appreciation of Nihonto
- Site by John Stuart. Although not particularly well done
the site still contains a number of interesting pictures.
Worth a look
- Konnichiwa
- Japanese swords and supplies of all types.
- Legacy
Art Swords
- Beautiful swords and mounts both old and modern. A variety
of prices.
- Mantis Swords
- Lots of choice here. Swords, amour and maintenance kits,
all in a variety of prices.
- Maximo
Marchionni
- This site is in Spanish and it has some interesting images.
The graphic on the front page gives Spanish names for
the parts of a Japanese sword.
- Nihon
Art & Antiques - Gallery - Swords & Fittings
- Nice site with good images of a number of swords for sale.
- Nihonto
Antiques
- Swords for sale. Other services such as polishing available.
Beautiful pictures of swords with high definition images
of blades.
- Nihonto.de
- Some interesting blades for sale. Located in Germany so
those of you in Europe should take a look.
- Nihonto
Japanese Swords & Tosogu
- Hefty prices, beautiful blades shown with nice photos.
- Nihonto.ca
- Beautiful blades with prices not for the faint of heart.
I've also catalogued this under 'Darcy Brockbank'.
- Nihonto.com
- Nice site although with unusual navigation. Some nice
blades arranged by price and with a good variation.
- Nihonto
Ya
- Lovely blades for sale.
- Ricecracker
Japanese Swords
- Good stock, hefty prices, beautiful images. If your wallet
is heavy and you want a beautiful sword, this site is
a must-see.
- Samurai
art
- Usually a good number of blades for sale. Photos are so-so
but serviceable
- Samurai
Swords
- Museum quality pieces. Wonderful photos of incredible
swords. Prices to match but dare to dream.
- Summer
Child Polishing by Keith Larman
- Very nice looking work. Photos are different in style
and stunning.
- Token
Konno
- Sword polishing and restoration. The site also has an
interesting line of Japanese armor.
- Tokugawa
art
- Good selection of blades with lovely images.
- Tsukamaki
Restoration
- Lovely work and based in North America.
- usagiya
- Web site design is not much to speak of but the blades
are very nice. Serviceable images in a variety of prices.
- Welcome
to Nihonto
- Usually a few very fine blades. Prices are ... well you
just have to take a look. Nice images with interesting
commentary..
- Welcome
to Nihontocraft.com
- Nice blades with good detail images.
- YAKIBA
- Good pictures and price range. Lots of swords shown but
most are already sold which is a little annoying. Definitely
worth a look if you are serious.
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The following links are in Japanese. Although some have translation
pages they are often contact information only. Still we enjoy
looking through some of the blade pictures. OK so we also
admit to occasionally running them through a translation application
just for a case of the sillies. Talking to some of our Japanese
friends we find it goes both ways and we all find it hilarious.
- botan.sakura.ne.jp_~suzuya_shouhin_shouhin.html
- Difficult site to navigate if you don't know Japanese.
Still some interesting pictures.
- www.katana-ando.co.jp
- This site is in Japanese and doesn't appear to have an
English translation. We confess to navigating the site
just by clicking on the links to see the pictures. They
are beautiful!
- touken-tousougu.hp.infoseek.co.jp/index.html
- www.seikeido.com/
- www.oct.zaq.ne.jp/katana-chokoku/
- www3.ocn.ne.jp/~sinogi/
- www.geocities.jp/kanetoyo2666/page016.html
- homepage2.nifty.com/FUJITOKEN/
- www.finesword.co.jp/
- www.bussai.com/
- homepage.mac.com/ryubido/
- www.webfuse.co.jp/sirogane/index.htm
- ww32.tiki.ne.jp/~ekatana/index.html
- www.hataya.co.jp/
- botan.sakura.ne.jp/~suzuya/
- www.token.aizu.or.jp/
- www.kanshoan.com/special/index_shinsaku.html
- www.d2.dion.ne.jp/~meitou/samuraien.html
- www.touken-kasugado.com/
- www.katana-ando.co.jp/syouhinnitirann.html
- katana.art.coocan.jp/Tenjikai/Tenjikai.html
- www.tokensibata.co.jp/
- www4.ocn.ne.jp/~y-kimura/
- www2.ocn.ne.jp/~kikutaka/index.html
- www.token-net.com/
- www.mane-ana.co.jp/katana/
- www.geocities.jp/kanetoyo2666/
- www.shouzando.com/
- www.choshuya.co.jp/
- www.nihontou-minosekikaji.com/katana/index.html
- www.choshuya.co.jp/newmain/baihin/touken/htm/sword.htm
- www.h4.dion.ne.jp/~t-ohmura/index.html
- www.jttk.zaq.ne.jp/nihontou/
- www.touken.or.jp/
- www.e-sword.jp/hanbaikitei.htm
- ginzaseikodo.com/index.html
- web.kyoto-inet.or.jp/people/yokotat/
- www.aitokan.co.jp/
- www.japansword.co.jp/
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Polishing
- Bushido
Japanese Swords
- Based in Honolulu. Some nice swords for sale. Sword polishing
available.
- CG Fine
Arts
- Very good images, beautiful swords with a wide price range.
Appraisals, restoration and translation are also offered.
- Hofhine,
David S.
- Traditional sword polishing. Located in the US. The waiting
list can be long but not as long as some.
- Japanese
Art
- Based in Europe. Restoration work available and sometimes
swords for sale.
- Japanese
Sword Collector
- Canadian site. Very nice photos. Occasionally some nice
blades for sale. Polishing available.
- Japanese
Sword Restoration Parts & Supplies - Fred Lohman Company
- Good value if you have a sword in need of work. Located
in Portland so you don't have to send your sword off the
continent.
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Thank you to all contributors of these links. You know who
you are. Please forgive our use of your descriptions because
they are likely far more eloquent than ours. We can not even
claim that English is a second language so we have no excuse.
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