The Best Sword Shop in Japan

Posted on June 12, 2007 by Adam R.

Japan has a lot of replica swords for sale, some newly made by machine or hand and some genuine antiques. I prefer the latter, and have seen several dealers in my travels. Asking my Father in-law where is the best place in Japan to go shopping for antique katanaCurved, single edged longsword traditionally used by Samurai., he says he will call some of his brothers who are antique dealers for me.

After a few hours the answer is given to me: Token Shibata in Ginza is where my sights should be set next time I am in Tokyo. After waiting for an opportunity to go to Tokyo from Tonami City in Toyama Prefecture, I jump onto the Thunderbird and head for Osaka to see family then take the Shinkansen to Tokyo. Getting in a cab at the station, I am head for Ginza where Token Shibata is located but the driver has never heard of it he claims. As it is Sunday, some of the streets in Ginza are closed to traffic so I have to leg it for a few blocks.

On entering the store I find the owners son holding an un-mounted katana in cloths showing to a customer and from the look I get not many gaijinJapanese word meaning "outsider" commonly used to describe foreigners. Considered somewhat impolite. must come to this store.

On excusing myself I start browsing the ceiling to floor display case filled with antique katana and fittings for sale. Jaw dropping swords of all sizes, gold inlaid tsuba, and other fittings are gleaming under the lights of the display cases. The only thing I don’t like is the prices. But as I have learned from my relatives, you are paying for countless hours of work and are purchasing history.

The other customers left and the owner’s son has a conversation with me. He is surprised at how much I know for a gaijin about katana and kenjutusu. He offers to show me the 2nd level which was closed to the public. There is armor and more magnificent blades the like of which I have only seen in museum catalogues or inside display cases in castles. Token Shibata has an unrivaled range of books on offer two and collectors can take their blades in for a range of services from polishing to sharpening.

On returning downstairs he adds me to the catalogue mailing list and give me his business card with the website url on it. I purchased an iron tsuba and a sword cleaning kit, with future designs of buying my next investment piece from Token Shibata.

Token Shibata Website