Among swords, antique Japanese katanas are the most expensive. These traditional swords were already used by the Samurai warrior class in the Muromachi period (1336 to 1573).
These katanas were made from tamahagane and forged and folded until that created a very strong and sharp sword. Over the centuries, the blades and design changed and evolved impressively.
Many swords are national treasures (Juyounkabazai) and the items were selected by the Ministry of Culture based on their "particularly high historical or artistic value. The list includes 110 swords and 12 koshirae from ancient and feudal Japan, from the late Kofun to the Muromachi period. The objects are housed in Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines, museums or held privately. Tokyo's National Museum houses the largest number of these national treasures, with 20 out of 122.
Swords are not allowed to leave Japan and it is forbidden to sell or export these swords from Japan.
Once a sword from a private collection is offered for sale, the Japanese government has the privilege of buying these swords at the market price. For this reason, the most exclusive katanas will no longer appear on the open market.
As far as a public auction goes, the most expensive Katana known is a Kamakura katana from the 13th century.
The Katana was sold for usd $418,000 to an anonymous European collector and its value is now said to be around €700,000, -. This Katana came from the Compton collection and was a collection piece of the physician Dr. Walter Ames Compton.
As far as is known, this is one of the most expensive samurai sword ever sold.
Today, of course, they also still make swords in Japan and what are the prices of those?
A genuine Katana from Japan forged by a well-known blacksmith will quickly cost between €10,000 and €30,000.
A well-known blacksmith who has won many awards and is thus very skilled will be able to charge much more for his blades.
Should these prices be very much out of your budget, it is possible to buy a modern forged Katana. These are often also battle ready, so functional and of course also have a full tang blade. These are forged in modern fashion with basically the same techniques at a much lower price.
If you want to buy a katana we have a wide range of swords.
Read about with about katana price differences here.
If you want to buy a katana we have a wide range of swords.
