Delving into the world of Japanese sword collecting is a bit like drinking from a fire hose. There’s a lot of information out there and it’s difficult to make sense of it all. For a new collector, it’s hard to distinguish fakes from the real thing, and it’s tricky to learn about all the different types of militaria available online. I can’t hope to provide you with a good overview here, but I can provide links to comprehensive sources, and point out some of the items currently available for sale.
The most popular WW2 Japanese sword, of course, is the Katana, or Samurai’s sword. These swords often date back hundreds of years, but became popular “spoils of war” for returning American GIs. You’ll find the genuine item for sale on eBay or in local antique shops. However, be wary of any deal that seems too good to be true — swords being sold as the real deal are often fakes or replicas.
Genuine Katana swords from WWII sell for $1,000 or more. If that’s too expensive for you, you’ll also find replica swords available for sale that are attractive and make great additions to any beginning collection. See our Katana reviews for a few that we like.
Find WW2 Japanese Swords
