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How to Identify an Antique Japanese Katana

As early as the 10th century, artisans in Japan concentrated on creating the "perfect sword." The Japanese were the first to realize that proper swordplay was not an exertion of the muscles, but rather, an exertion of the mind; thus, they created the katana sword for their samurai warriors. The intense tempering process makes the razor edge very difficult to knick and gives it longevity that far outshines Western swords. Thousands of these blades were tempered and circulated, only falling out of practical use during the Industrial Revolution era in the 15th and 16th centuries. Antique katanas are still around, and knowing how to identify one of these relics is useful for collectors and enthusiasts alike.

Instructions

- 1
  Look over the sword. Get a feel of how the sword handles and the quality of the steel. Although it will be old and possibly rusted, its makers created the Japanese katana to last through countless battles, so a true antique katana is usually in relatively good shape, despite its age. Also, note the weight of the sword. The katana was designed to be light, often no more than 3 to 5 pounds; anything heavier than that is probably not a genuine katana.
- 2
  Check the balance point, as its makers balanced their katana swords perfectly. Because the katana was a warrior's lifeblood, they were expected to be flawless. The weight of the handle should counter the weight of the blade, which makes the sword easy to handle. You should be able to balance the sword horizontally on your finger, right at the point where the blade touches the hilt. The farther up the blade the balance point, the less likely the blade is a true antique.
- 3
  Look for frivolities. A genuine Japanese katana rarely had the embellishments of the upper class. The samurai class was often respected in Japanese society, but would today be considered "middle-class." Therefore, a genuine antique katana will not have much decoration to the blade or scabbard, if any at all. If the katana has jewels on the handle and a hilt of gold or silver, it is probably not an antique, but a replica. The sword should look practical and possibly have a few signs of wear. A perfectly preserved katana with heavy ornamentation is extremely rare, even in the days when the katana was commonplace.

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