Famous Katana In Real Life
The katana is one of the most iconic swords in the world, surrounded by countless legends—such as the cursed Muramasa blades, the divine Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi, and the masterfully crafted Honjo Masamune. But beyond myth, many real-life katanas have earned legendary status for their craftsmanship and historical significance. In this article, we’ll explore some of the most famous katanas ever made.
What makes a katana famous and valuable?
The katana is not only a beautifully designed weapon but also a highly practical one, well-suited for the Japanese battlefield. While it wasn’t as commonly used as the yari (spear) or yumi (bow), the katana held a unique place both in combat and in culture. Beyond its function as a weapon, the katana is considered a true work of art. This is one reason it often more expensive than European or Chinese swords. In Japan, the traditional methods of forging katanas are still preserved, along with a deep, systematic approach to appreciating and valuing swords.
Modern katanas made outside Japan, using advanced steels like spring steel or T10, can easily outperform traditionally made blades in terms of durability and cutting power. However, when it comes to value for collection, traditionally made katanas—crafted from tamahagane steel using age-old techniques—are far more prized. These are the nihonto, the authentic Japanese swords we will focus on in this article.
The value and fame of a nihonto are typically determined by several key factors. One of the most important is the swordsmith—blades made by renowned masters are highly sought after. The age of the katana also contributes significantly to its worth, with older swords from periods like the Heian or Kamakura era generally being more valuable due to their rarity and historical importance. Provenance plays a major role as well; a sword once owned by a famous samurai or historical figure can see its value increase dramatically. Lastly, the condition of the blade is crucial—a well-preserved sword, free from rust or major damage, is far more desirable to collectors and historians.
Japan has developed several sword-ranking systems over the centuries. One of the earliest and most influential emerged during the Azuchi-Momoyama period, when the famous daimyo Toyotomi Hideyoshi (豊臣秀吉) appointed Honami Kotoku (本阿弥光徳) as the official sword appraiser. This marked the beginning of the first formal system for evaluating and certifying the value and quality of Japanese swords, laying the foundation for later traditions of sword appreciation and ranking.
Honami Kotoku documented many famous katana in his influential book Kyōhō Meibutsuchō (享保名物帳), which listed katana primarily based on factors such as appearance, historical background, and legendary associations. During the Edo period, another katana-ranking system emerged that focused on cutting ability. This system was detailed in the book Kaihō Kenjaku (懐宝剣尺), which categorized swords based on the results of tameshigiri (test cutting). Katanas were ranked into four grades: Saijō Ōwazamono (最上大業物, supreme), Ōwazamono (大業物, great), Yōwazamono (良業物, good), and Wazamono (業物, average), reflecting their cutting performance and craftsmanship.
There are various ranking for Katana, but it’s commonly acknowledged that the most famous ones are these 5 katana , the Tenka Goken (天下五剣 “Five Greatest katana in the world”), revered for their cutting ability, beauty, and historical significance.
Tenka Goken -Five Greatest katana in the world
Dojigiri Yasutsuna（童子切安綱）
Dōjigiri Yasutsuna is a legendary Katana made by Ōhara Yasutsuna, a master smith from the Heian period in today’s Tottori Prefecture. Regarded as the oldest and most prestigious of the Tenka Goken, it’s often called “the grand champion of Japanese swords” for its elegance and exceptional sharpness.
The name Dōjigiri ("Slayer of Dōji") comes from the famous tale of Minamoto no Yorimitsu using the blade to slay the demon Shuten Dōji on Mount Ōe. This Katana features a fine ko-itame hada grain pattern, a gently irregular hamon, and a deep curve (Sori), giving it a bold and dignified appearance.
Mikazuki Munechika（三日月宗近）
Mikazuki Munechika is often regarded as the most beautiful one of the Tenka Goken. Forged by the renowned Heian-period swordsmith Sanjō Kokaji Munechika, the blade is famous for its graceful design and poetic elegance.
The name Mikazuki (“Crescent Moon”) comes from the crescent-shaped patterns on the blade that resemble a sliver of moonlight breaking through drifting clouds. With a strong base that tapers delicately toward the tip, Mikazuki Munechika features a tightly forged ko-itame hada grain, a lightly irregular hamon with shimmering activity (nie), and crescent-shaped uchinoke marks that give the blade its unique charm.
Odenta Mitsuyo（大典太光世）
Ōdenta Mitsuyo is a legendary tachi (太刀) crafted by Miike Denta Mitsuyo, a master swordsmith of the Heian period. It is famed not only for its exceptional quality but also for its mystical reputation as a blade believed to cut through illness—a sword with spiritual power.
Compared to other swords of its time, Ōdenta stands out with its broad blade and a shallow groove known as a Miike-bi running from the tang (nakago) into the blade. It features a flowing ō-itame hada grain and a slender, straight suguha hamon, coated in shimmering nie. The sword combines a commanding presence with refined elegance, making it one of the most distinctive of the Tenka Goken.
Onimaru Kunitsuna（鬼丸国綱）
Onimaru Kunitsuna is a tachi forged by Awataguchi Kunitsuna, an early Kamakura-period master from the famed Awataguchi school in Kyoto. Among the Tenka Goken, it is the only one currently classified as an imperial treasure (Gyobutsu 御物) and not designated under Japan's cultural property laws.
The name Onimaru (“Demon”) comes from a legend involving Hōjō Tokiyori, the 5th regent of the Kamakura shogunate. Plagued by illness and disturbing dreams of a demon, Tokiyori reportedly used this sword to destroy a haunted brazier believed to house the spirit, curing him in the process.
This katana is known for its strong central curvature (Naka-zori) and a well-balanced form, with a noticeably narrower tip (Kissaki) compared to the base. It features a beautiful jifu utsuri (a type of patterned reflection in the steel), and a small irregular hamon in the nie-deki style, giving it a bold yet refined character.
Juzumaru Tsunetsugu（数珠丸恒次）
Juzumaru Tsunetsugu is a tachi forged by Aoe Tsunetsugu, a swordsmith of the Kamakura period. It is famously associated with Nichiren, the founder of the Nichiren school of Buddhism, who wore it not as a weapon, but as a symbolic sword of haja kenshō 破邪顕正—vanquishing falsehood and revealing truth.
The name Juzumaru (“Rosary Blade”) comes from Nichiren’s custom of wrapping prayer beads (juzu) around the hilt when carrying it.
This katana features a refined and understated style, with a tightly forged ko-itame hada grain and a straight suguha-style hamon. While several smiths used the name Tsunetsugu, the blade is generally attributed to Old Aoe Tsunetsugu of Bitchū Province (modern-day Okayama), one of the imperial swordsmiths who served Emperor Go-Toba. Some theories also credit Sakon Shōgen Tsunetsugu of the Ko-Bizen school.
Other famous Katana
O-Kanehira（大包平）
Ō-Kanehira, a National Treasure, is one of Japan's most famous swords, known for its historical significance and extraordinary value. Forged by the Kobizen school of the late Heian period in Bizen Province (modern-day Okayama Prefecture), the sword was crafted by the master smith Kanehira.
Originally owned by the warlord Ikeda Terumasa during the Azuchi-Momoyama period, the sword was passed down through the Ikeda family. In 1951, it was designated a National Treasure under the name "Tachi Mei Bizen no Kuni Kanehira Saku". The Ministry of Education purchased the sword in 1967 for ¥65 million, which, when adjusted for inflation, amounts to roughly ¥260 million — a fitting price for such a legendary sword.
Today, Ō-Kanehira is housed at the Tokyo National Museum in Ueno, Tokyo, as a prized example of Japanese sword-making artistry and historical significance.
Yamato Torige (山鳥毛)
Yamato Torige, also known as Yamato Torige Ichimonji, is a legendary katana believed to have been forged by the Bizen Fukuoka Ichimonji school during the Kamakura period. The name Yamato Tori-ge derives from the delicate and vibrant hamon (blade pattern) that resembles the fine down of a mountain bird.
In 2018, to bring this invaluable katana back to its birthplace in Setouchi City, Okayama Prefecture, the Yamato Tori-ge Homecoming Project was launched. Donations came from across Japan and abroad, surpassing the target of 500 million yen. In 2020, the sword was successfully purchased and returned to the city, making it the most expensive katana in the history. It is now preserved at the Bizen Osafune Sword Museum in Setouchi city.
