r/iaido • u/More-Competition-603 • 17d ago

Any recommendations for a real katana (traditionally made)

Looking for a traditionally made katana, i don't care so much about the type of steel as long as it's a quality katana but i would like a budget friendly katana, not a fake one that can be sold for like 30 quid. A proper katana, i wouldn't mind even a name of a company that sells good traditionally made katana's.

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u/Oogasan ZNKR | Muso Shinden Ryu | Battodo 16d ago

Are you a member of a martial arts organisation?

Because you are allowed to own a sharp sword as long as you have the proper paperwork.

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u/More-Competition-603 16d ago edited 16d ago

No, although that is part of the reason i have been looking for one to join, not part or working for.

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u/Oogasan ZNKR | Muso Shinden Ryu | Battodo 13d ago

You should join a dojo! Practising with sharp swords is very dangerous if you are not training under the proper supervision of an experienced teacher. If you tell us where in the UK you live, we could recommend a legitimate dojo for you to join. Just be aware that you will most likely not be allowed to use a sharp sword in the beginning.

Also, what's with the downvoting of my answer? You are most certainly allowed to own a sharp Japanese style sword in the UK if you have the proper insurance. I am a member of a dojo in London where almost everyone has their own sharp sword for practise, and most of them are not traditionally made or antiques.

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u/More-Competition-603 13d ago

I didn't downvote your answer as for where i live, it is northwest of london?

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u/Oogasan ZNKR | Muso Shinden Ryu | Battodo 12d ago

Someone did downvote haha, anyway.

There are a lot of good teachers in London! If you can go into London for training then the possibilities are great.

There are three dojos I would recommend:

Ryoshinkan - headed by Andy Watson and Harry Jones

Seishinkan - headed and founded by Chris Mansfield

Fudokan - headed and founded by John Evans

I have personally met and trained with all the above mentioned teachers.

Watson-sensei and Mansfield-sensei are highly respected teachers within the European Kendo Federation and have contributed immensely to the spread of iaido and jodo in Europe. In addition to the standardised iaido of the Zen Nihon Kendo Renmei (Japanese kendo federation) they also teach the Muso Shinden Ryu koryu (old sword school).

Evans-sensei of the Fudokan does not teach the iaido of the ZNKR and EKF, but instead teaches Nakamura Ryu battodo which also is a Japanese sword art but with a heavy focus on tameshigiri (test cutting). Unless you are set on doing iaido, I can most highly recommend Fudokan and Evans-sensei.