Japanese Samurai Swords

Katana, Wakizashi and Tanto

The samurai used various weapons, but the katana is the weapon that is synonymous with samurai. Bushido teaches that Samurai swords are the Samurai's soul and sometimes a samurai is pictured as entirely dependent on the katana for fighting. They believe that the Japanese sword was so precious that they often gave them names and considered them as part of the living. However the use of Samurai swords did not become common in battle until the Kamakura period (1185-1333), where the tachi and uchigatana (the predecessor to the katana) became prevalent. The katana itself did not become the primary weapon until the Edo period.

After a male child of the bushi was born, he would receive his first katana sword in a ceremony called mamori-gatana. The sword, however, was merely a charm sword covered with brocade to which was attached a purse or wallet, worn by children under five. Upon reaching the age of thirteen, in a ceremony called Genbuku, a male child was given his first real swords and armour, an adult name, and became a samurai. A katana and a wakizashi together are called a daisho (lit. "big and small").

The wakizashi itself was a samurai's "honour blade" and purportedly never left the Samurai's side. He would sleep with it under his pillow and it would be taken with him when he entered a house and had to leave his main weapons outside.

The Tantō was a small dagger sometimes worn with or instead of the Wakizashi in a daisho. The tanto or the wakizashi was used to commit seppuku, a ritualized suicide.

Welcome to our Samurai Swords section. The Samurai sword (Also known as a katana) dates back in tradition to ancient times where a man depended on his blade to defend his life and his honor. Most of the Japanese Swords found here are well equipped for that purpose as well as for use in the art of Tameshigiri (Practice cutting with tatami or beach mats). Our Battle Ready Samurai Swords are equally impressive both for functionality as well as for a classy show piece. We currently offer Hanwei, Bushido, Musashi and a good selection of handmade battle ready Samurai swords for sale. We have scoured the globe to bring you the best Japanese Samurai Swords at the cheapest prices around.