Published by:
Nicholas Fu
13/04/2025

GUIDE TO COLLECTING NIHONTO

Over the past eight years of being immersed in the world of Nihonto collecting, I’ve witnessed many newcomers take their first steps into this fascinating and deeply historical hobby — often with great enthusiasm, but sometimes without the guidance needed to make informed decisions. Unfortunately, it’s all too common to see first-time buyers encounter significant pitfalls early on.

Some of the most frequent issues I’ve observed include unknowingly purchasing outright fakes, ending up with foreign-made replicas mistaken for genuine Japanese swords, or receiving blades in poor condition that don’t justify the price paid. In many cases, the sword may indeed be authentic, but its quality, condition, or historical significance doesn’t align with the amount spent. What often makes this mistake more painful is that once the buyer realizes the mismatch, it’s difficult to resell the piece and recover their investment—mainly because they’ve overpaid to begin with. Among seasoned collectors, these missteps are often referred to—half-jokingly—as a “learning fee.”

This article aims to help beginners avoid those early misfortunes and start your Nihonto journey on the right foot, with the knowledge and awareness to make thoughtful and confident decisions.  Whether you're considering your very first Nihonto or simply looking to deepen your understanding before making a purchase, we hope this guide equips you with the knowledge and confidence to begin your journey with clarity and purpose.

WHAT’S A NIHONTO?

To avoid one of the most common pitfalls in Nihonto collecting—ending up with a fake or misrepresented sword—it’s essential to first understand what Nihonto truly means.

In Japanese, the word Nihonto (日本刀) is made up of two parts:

• 日本 (Nihon) – meaning “Japan”

• 刀 (tō) – meaning “sword”

Put together, 日本刀 (Nihonto) literally means “Japanese sword.” However, within the collecting world, Nihonto refers specifically to authentic, traditionally-made Japanese swords.

For a sword to be considered a true Nihonto, it must meet three fundamental criteria:

- My visit to Master Akihira’s Forge

2. Forged Using Traditional Swordmaking Techniques

The blade must be crafted using time-honored Japanese swordsmithing methods, including folding, forging, differential hardening (yaki-ire), and water quenching. These techniques give Nihonto their distinctive curvature, grain pattern (hada), and hardened edge (hamon).

GIMEI (偽銘)
Fakes among the real

Even among genuine Nihonto—blades that fully meet the criteria of traditional materials, methods, and legal recognition—there exists another layer of deception that collectors must be aware of: Gimei (偽銘).

The term Gimei translates to “false signature” and refers to swords that have had a famous smith’s name inscribed on the tang (nakago), despite not being forged by that individual. These are not replicas or modern fakes—they are often real Nihonto, traditionally made and historically old—but the signature (mei) was added or altered in an attempt to elevate the sword’s perceived value or origin.

This practice was particularly common during certain periods in history, especially in the late Edo and Meiji eras, when older swords were often rebranded to appeal to collectors and buyers. While the blades themselves may still be of quality, the presence of a Gimei mei can significantly affect both authenticity and market value.

For new collectors, this highlights the importance of proper authentication and appraisal. A sword may be genuine in construction, but if the signature is forged, its historical and financial value may be very different from what it appears on the surface.

Tip #1: Buy Blades with CURRENT NBTHK Certification Papers

This brings us to Tip #1—and one of the most important pieces of advice for any new collector: buy blades that come with current NBTHK certification papers.

If you’ve ever heard of a Japanese sword "coming with papers," this typically refers to authentication and appraisal documents issued by the Nihon Bijutsu Hozon Kyokai (NBTHK), or the Society for the Preservation of Japanese Art Swords.

The NBTHK is Japan’s foremost authority on Nihonto, officially recognized and supported by the Japanese government. Its mission is to preserve, study, and promote the appreciation of Japanese swords as cultural and historical art objects—an aspiration we at Touken Takarado also share and strive to support through our work.

The NBTHK conducts a rigorous process known as Shinsa (審査), or “examination,” in which swords and fittings are carefully evaluated by expert panels. Through this process, items are graded based on their authenticity, artistic merit, historical value, and state of preservation. If a sword passes, it is issued a certificate of appraisal, commonly referred to as kanteisho (鑑定書), indicating the level it has achieved—such as Hozon, Tokubetsu Hozon, Juyo, or higher.

Purchasing a sword with valid NBTHK papers greatly reduces the risk of acquiring a Gimei or misrepresented piece, offering confidence not only in the sword’s authenticity, but also in its cultural and artistic significance. This is because swords judged as Gimei are not given NBTHK papers under the CURRENT system.

In the previous section, you may have noticed the emphasis I placed on the importance of buying swords that come with papers from the current NBTHK system. This is a distinction worth highlighting—especially for beginners—because the NBTHK once operated under a different system, which has important implications for buyers today.

The old NBTHK paper system was in use from 1948 to 1982, and during that time, swords were certified under several different ranks:

• Kicho (貴重) – “Precious” (white papers)

• Tokubetsu Kicho (特別貴重) – “Especially Precious” (green papers)

• Koshu Tokubetsu Kicho (甲種特別貴重) – “Superior Especially Precious” (blue papers)

It’s important to note that even prestigious designations like Juyo Token (重要刀剣) and Tokubetsu Juyo Token (特別重要刀剣) were also part of this earlier era. However, these Juyo and Tokubetsu Juyo grades remain unaffected by the issues that emerged during that period. That’s because they were always judged at the NBTHK’s main headquarters, rather than the regional branches where the problems took place.

The 1980s Scandal: Why Caution is Warranted

In the 1980s, a scandal involving the NBTHK came to light. It was revealed that organized crime groups and other unethical entities had influenced the certification process—particularly at regional NBTHK branches. This led to a significant number of swords being awarded grades that did not accurately reflect their quality or authenticity.

The issue was especially prevalent with the green Tokubetsu Kicho papers, where some swords of mediocre quality were given inflated rankings. More concerning, many Gimei (fake signature) swords were also granted papers, despite not being the work of the smith named in the signature.

Why I Recommend Caution with Old Papers

Because of this history, I recommend that beginners exercise caution when considering swords with green papers (Tokubetsu Kicho), or any from the older paper system in general. While not all swords with green papers are misattributed or problematic, it requires a trained eye and extensive experience to determine whether the sword truly matches what the paper claims.

For this reason, the current NBTHK system is more reliable for new collectors. Under the current system, Gimei swords are not given certification, and all accepted blades must meet a higher and more centralized standard, judged by panels at NBTHK headquarters.

Expert Opinions vs. Personal Judgement

At the end of the day, NBTHK papers—and papers issued by other organizations such as the NTHK—are the opinions of experts. They are trusted and respected throughout the industry, but they are still human evaluations. If you, as a collector, choose to disagree with their assessment and have the knowledge and experience to support your own view, that is entirely your prerogative.

However, until you’ve built that level of expertise, it’s wise to rely on the strongest tools available—and buying swords with current NBTHK certification is one of the best ways to protect yourself early in your journey.

President of Touken Takarado

An experienced dealer not only sources authentic swords, but also carefully curates pieces based on condition, quality, and value—something that can’t always be guaranteed through private sales or online marketplaces.

At Touken Takarado (shameless promo here), we are committed to providing collectors—both new and seasoned—with fully authentic, properly appraised Nihonto. We take pride in our transparency, professionalism, and in offering swords that are backed by current NBTHK papers wherever possible.

When you combine Tip #1 (NBTHK certification) with Tip #2 (a trusted dealer), the risk of making a costly mistake becomes significantly lower. It’s one of the most effective ways to protect your investment and build a collection you can be proud of.

Above all else, the most important advice I can offer is this: take the time to study.

It’s natural to feel the urge to buy something immediately—especially when you’re just starting out. But in my experience, many first-time collectors buy first and ask questions later… only to find themselves caught in the common pitfalls we discussed earlier. In reality, it would serve most people far better to do the opposite: study first, and buy later.

There is a tremendous depth to the world of Nihonto. From the many blade shapes and hamon patterns, to the subtle variations in jigane and the diverse schools of workmanship, every detail carries meaning and value. The more you study, the more you begin to see the beauty and history behind each piece—and, importantly, the better equipped you are to judge quality and authenticity for yourself.

I understand that not everyone has access to museums or in-hand viewing opportunities, but try to expose yourself to as much authentic Nihonto as possible. Join a local sword society, participate in online forums or Facebook groups, and engage with communities who share this passion.

Over time, you’ll develop not only a trained eye, but also your own sense of taste and appreciation, which will guide your collecting in a far more meaningful way.

For those serious about getting into the world of Nihonto, I highly recommend The Connoisseur's Book of Japanese Swords by Kokan Nagayama. In my opinion, it’s an absolute must-have—a foundational resource for understanding the art, history, and structure of the Japanese sword. 

- https://www.amazon.com.au/Connoisseurs-Book-Japanese-Swords/dp/1568365810

Collecting Nihonto is more than just acquiring beautiful objects—it’s a journey into the heart of Japanese history, craftsmanship, and culture. Like any meaningful pursuit, it requires patience, curiosity, and a willingness to learn.

By following the three tips outlined in this guide— you’ll greatly reduce the risk of early missteps and lay a strong foundation for your collecting journey.

Mistakes may still happen, and that’s part of the learning process. But with the right mindset and resources, each step will bring you closer to becoming a more confident and knowledgeable collector.

At Touken Takarado, we’re passionate about supporting both new and experienced collectors alike. If you ever have questions or need guidance, we’re always happy to help share what we’ve learned.

Welcome to the world of Nihonto—it’s a world of depth, beauty, and lifelong discovery!