Authentic Japanese Swords, Direct from the Heart of Kyoto — Since 1989

For collectors around the world seeking genuine Japanese swords, provenance matters as much as the blade itself. At Tozando Katana Shop, we offer something rare in today's market: direct access to authenticated antique and newly forged katana, sourced and examined by our team of specialists in Kyoto, Japan — and shipped to your door, free of charge.

Our Story

Tozando was founded in December 1989 by Takahiko Kimura in Nishijin, Kyoto — a district historically known as the heart of Japanese craftsmanship. We began as a manufacturer and retailer of martial arts equipment, supplying practitioners of kendo, iaido, and other traditional Japanese martial arts with the tools of their discipline.

In 1990, we took our first step into the world of Japanese swords, when demand from serious iaido practitioners led us to begin sourcing and selling authentic iaito and nihonto. What began as a service to martial artists quickly grew into a dedicated pursuit: connecting collectors worldwide with genuine Japanese swords of historical and artistic significance.

Today, Tozando operates three specialist sword showrooms across Kyoto, and our online store — japanesesword.net — has become one of the most trusted destinations for authentic Japanese swords among international collectors.

Our Kyoto Showrooms

All three of our Kyoto locations welcome walk-in visitors and are fully staffed with multilingual specialists — fluent in English, Spanish, and other languages. Whether you are visiting Kyoto or exploring our collection online, our team is always happy to assist.

Our Team

Every sword in our collection is personally examined and selected by our specialists. We are proud to introduce the team behind Tozando Katana Shop:

Authentication & Our Commitment to Authenticity

Every sword we sell is genuine — never mass-produced, never a reproduction. We work exclusively with trusted antique dealers, certified appraisers, and living master swordsmiths across Japan to source blades of verifiable provenance and quality.

Where applicable, our swords are accompanied by official certification from the NBTHK (Nihon Bijutsu Token Hozon Kyokai) — Japan's foremost authority on Japanese sword authentication, and the organization responsible for certifying the nation's most important blades. Certification levels range from Hozon to the prestigious Juyo Token — the latter being awarded to fewer than 10,000 blades among the approximately two million registered swords in Japan.

Tozando is a member of the All Japan Budo Gu Association and a member of the NBTHK (Nihon Bijutsu Token Hozon Kyokai). We are currently in the process of joining the All Japan Sword Dealers Cooperative Association.

Bizen Osafune Sword Museum — Designated Operator

Since 2024, Tozando has been honored to serve as the designated operator of the Bizen Osafune Token Hakubutsukan Bussan-kan — the gift and product store adjacent to the renowned Bizen Osafune Japanese Sword Museum in Setouchi City, Okayama Prefecture. Bizen Osafune is one of Japan's most historically significant swordmaking regions, with a tradition stretching back over 800 years. This partnership reflects our deep commitment to the preservation and promotion of Japanese sword culture at its very source.

Tozando on the World Stage

Tozando's mission has always extended beyond commerce — we are advocates for the appreciation and preservation of the Japanese sword as a living art form. In recent years, that mission has taken us to some of the world's most prominent venues:

These experiences affirm what our customers have known for decades: that a genuine Japanese sword is not merely a weapon — it is a masterpiece of human craftsmanship, deserving of a place among the world's great art forms.

Shipping Worldwide — Always Free

We believe that the finest Japanese swords should be accessible to collectors everywhere. That is why we offer free worldwide shipping on every order — with no minimum purchase and no exceptions. Every sword is carefully packaged and shipped directly from our team in Kyoto, Japan.

Visit Us in Kyoto

All three of our Kyoto showrooms are open to walk-in visitors and fully staffed with multilingual specialists. If you are planning a visit to Kyoto, we warmly welcome you to experience our collection in person. Our team speaks English, Spanish, and other languages, and is always happy to provide personal guidance.

For online inquiries, our team is available via the contact form and responds promptly to questions about specific swords, authentication, shipping, or anything else you may wish to know.