Hello Community,

Consider where you are buying the sword and who is selling it. You are more likely to find a genuine sword in a shop dedicated to Japanese culture or antiquities than at a booth run by a guy selling "samurai swords" alongside replicas of knives from the Rambo movies. Chinese manufacturers do a brisk business mass-producing fakes for these kinds of distributors. If you are buying a contemporary sword (20th century or newer), ask the seller for information about the swordsmith. There are presently around 250 active members of the Japanese Swordsmith Association, and almost all reputable smiths belong to the Association. Check the smith's name against the Association's membership list. If you can't find it, chances are the sword is a fake.


With Regards,
Daniel Rizzo