They can cost anywhere from $300 to over $2,000. The value of these swords depends on whether they were made by hand or by machine, and their condition. The four types of Japanese officer swords used by the Army and Navy are the kyugunto KYUGUNTO 旧軍刀 'old military sword' learn more., the kaigunto KAIGUNTO 海軍刀 'Navy military sword' learn more., the shingunto SHINGUNTO 新軍刀 'new military sword' learn more., and the NCO (non-commissioned officer) shingunto. Japanese sword appraisers are especially knowledgeable and equipped to help you with this. To determine their worth, you will need to research their history. The over one million WW2 Japanese swords that are believed to have made their way to the U.S. A complete set of the three classic samurai swords – including a katana, wakizashi, and tanto – can be worth as much as $10,000. These are generally less expensive than a katana or a tachi. Other types of swords include the tanto TANTO 短刀 'short sword' learn more., a small dagger carried by both men and women, and the Japanese short sword wakizashi WAKIZASHI 脇差 or 脇指 'medium-length sword' learn more. Tachi, which are curved long swords worn edge-down and hung on a belt cord, cost about the same amount as katanas. While the katana is the most familiar and popular of the Japanese samurai swords, there are many other types of Japanese swords that are quite valuable. It is especially important to find out for certain where the sword was actually made. When investing such a large sum, you will want to be sure that you know what you are going to receive. The average price for a recent katana made in Japan is $6,000 to $8,000.Īn authentic Japanese katana that is made in Japan can cost as much as $12,000 to $25,000. Engravings on a samurai sword will increase its value.Ī katana sword, the most famous and sought-after type of Japanese sword, will have a starting price of $4,000 if it is made in Japan, but they can cost much more. Buyers also look at when it was made and the quality of the mounting pieces. These include the swordsmith’s reputation, the sword’s heritage, the blade’s quality and condition, and whether or not the blade is signed. The price of a Japanese sword depends on a variety of factors. While you are not likely to get your hands on a Masumane or an antique Japanese sword with a 13th century blade, there are still many expensive Japanese swords you might be able to add to your collection. Costlier Types of Japanese Swords for Regular Collectors There is also a Masamune in the Museum der Stadt Steyr in Austria, and others are owned by private citizens in Japan. This sword was a gift presented to President Truman by General Walter Krueger, who had received it from a Japanese family as a condition of surrender. Another Masamune is at the Truman Library in Independence, Missouri. The Shimazu Masamune is at the Kyoto National Museum. However, there are a few Masamune blades that have turned up and are currently housed in museums and collections. It disappeared at the end of World War II when the family turned it over to the Americans who decreed that all weapons, including samurai swords that were family heirlooms, be relinquished.

Considered to be one of the best swords ever made, the Honjo Masamune was passed down through the generations and honored as an official National Treasure of Japan before it went missing after the war.Ĭrafted by Masamune during the Kamakura period, the Honjo Masamune was owned for generations by the Tokugawa family. Some of the most valued Japanese swords have been missing in action since World War II. Even more valuable swords that are housed in museums and institutions are probably worth millions. A European buyer purchased it for $418,000 making it the most expensive Japanese sword in the world.

One of the swords, which had a Kamakura blade from the 13th century, was (as of this writing) the last traditional katana to appear at a public auction. The first 1,100 swords of his collection sold for over 8 million dollars in a single day. Walter Ames Compten’s collection of katana KATANA 刀 'sword' learn more. They cannot be transported out of the country, and the government of Japan can purchase them at market value when they are made available for sale. Most of them have been classified as important cultural assets or national treasures. Rare swords such as the traditional Japanese katana, can be difficult to come by. What Is the Single Most Expensive Japanese Sword? This article will go over examples of the most expensive Japanese sword ever, and about the costlier types of Japanese swords available to collectors today. The expertise and precision with which these swords are made makes them prized possessions for seasoned collectors and novices alike. Owning a handmade traditional Japanese sword connects you to Japanese history and culture.

Exporting a true katana