Does anyone know if you can still get katanas customized for you in japan?

Question

I was wondering if theres any places in japan that build katanas for you the way you want it. Does anyone know if I could even do that and if so then where? thanks

Answer 1

Yes, if you have enough money.

Try www.swordstore.com or www.jidai.jp

Answer 2

It costs many thousands of dollars to have a katana forged for you in the old fashion. But yes, it's possible.  

Answer 3

Yes and no, as previous posters said, it's very expensive. I've only seen tanto as low as $3000 done in traditional fashion. You generally need to go through a broker who handles the customary etiquette and the like, which will add a commission (anywhere from 3 - 15%, depending on the who they're trying to contact).

Let me put it this way: you're better off contacting someone like Shadowofleaves.com (you may need to google "Shadow of Leaves" since there are times that their URL goes out) to do an assembled katana for you. The blade will probably be high grade spring steel, but they'd actually do it to your request. Typically, traditional swordsmiths work like artists: you may be able to give them a theme, but the end product is their creation, not yours.

If you do decide to go the traditional route, do your research first to find the school you want your blade to come from and so you know roughly what grade of koshirae to expect. If you have no idea what I'm talking about, then you really shouldn't be asking in the first place (there's no S in the plural of Japanese words, either).

Answer 4

yes and they're generally 3000 at the cheapest for the traditional forged, and can run much much higher too