| ITEMS FOR SALE |
We have thousands of quality military antiques and collectibles for sale. We have original WWII Samurai swords
as well as samurai swords from earlier periods available for sale.
CLICK HERE to check out our inventory.
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| GENERAL SAMURAI SWORD INFORMATION |
Interested in Samurai swords...Here are a few of the things you should know when looking at them:
- Never touch a blade with your bare hands. Our hands contain oils which will rub off onto the blade in
the form of finger prints, which will then form rust. Use a soft cloth to hold the blade.
- Check to make sure the blade is straight by picking it up to eye level and looking at it from the handle
to the tip of the blade. Hand made blades don't normally break but rather bend. This is due to the
multiple layers of metal created during the manufacturing process.
- Swords have appreciated considerably over the last fifteen years and it is getting increasingly harder to
obtain them. Especially at a reasonable price.
- The quality of the blade and general condition of the sword are the most important factors in determining
its value. Always go for quality rather than quantity.
Sword collecting is a fun activity and an investment. Swords also make a good addition to the decor of a home.
We hope you find the information contained on this page useful. If you are looking for swords as an investment and
are torn between buying a newer (WWII era) or older (1800's on down) the best thing to do is to figure out which
attracts you the most and stick to that.
While currently the WWII era appears to be in more demand, not that long ago it was the older blades that were going
up in value.
This section is dedicated to provide an in depth view at various topics that directly relate to
the history of the Japanese military forces.
| JAPANESE SAMURAI SWORD HISTORY |
This section provides information about the different periods of the sword. A brief
description of the history of Japan is also discussed.
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| SAMURAI SWORDSMITH SCHOOLS |
The sword makers are a crucial component of the history of the Samurai. This section
provides information about the various schools that trained swordsmiths.
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| SAMURAI SWORD ANATOMY |
This section of the web site provides a break down of the sword and the names given to
each component.
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| SAMURAI ARMOR ANATOMY |
The Samurai armor is a very unique piece of equipment used by the warrior. This page
provides the visitor with a break down of the anatomy of the armor along with a brief history of its use.
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| SAMURAI ARMOR - MODERN REPLICA |
The Samurai armor is a very interesting piece of history. Its intricate
construction required very skillful craftsmen to build. The armor featured here is a well made copy of the Samurai
armor.
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| SAMURAI HELMET ANATOMY |
The helmets worn by the Samurai were a very distinct component. Similar to an indivisual's signature.
This page discusses its history and anatomy.
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| READING SAMURAI SWORD SIGNATURES |
The Samurai sword was often signed by the master who made it or the factory it produced it.
This section provides an understanding of how to interpret the signatures.
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| JAPANESE BLADE MARKINGS |
A comprehensive study of the different military markings stamped on the Japanese blades. From the Samurai swords to the bayonets.
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| READING SAMURAI SWORD SIGNATURES |
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The Samurai swords are often signed on the tang of the blade. This section of the website explains the basics of
how to read the signatures.
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| SAMURAI SWORD MENUKI (HILT ORNAMENT) |
The Samurai sword makers produced many fittings to make the sword more attractive. Among these
items are the Menukis. This page provides information about these ornaments, including very detailed
close up pictures of each piece.
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| WAR SOUVENIRS |
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After Japan surrendered there was a large cache of weapons and equipment that was captured by the Americans.
Some of the items were brought back by GI's as war souvenirs. Others were destroyed.
This photographed was taken by Clinton O. Daly. While he was in the Mariana Islands he got to witness barges
being filled with Japanese weapons and equipment, they were floated to the deep waters of the lagoons where they
were sunk.
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| TODAY'S SAMURAI |
The art of the Samurai still lives on today in the practice of Kendo. This Martial Art teaches
the students the ancient techniques of sword fighting.
There are basically four striking points allowed in a Kendo match. Using the bamboo sword the
fighters can strike the top of the head, the wrist, the ribs and a straight thrust to the throat.
All of this areas are protected by an armored structure whose components include canvas, wood and metal.
Kendo matches are very lively and action packed. Fighters move swiftly striking with deadly accuracy
as they yell the name of the technique they are executing. This action is reminiscent of the begining
days of the Samurai warrior where opponents at war would face each other and yell out their resumes
(name of school where they learned to fight, family name, number of battles, etc.) as they charged towards
each other with sword in hand.
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| GIFT CERTIFICATES |
Do you have a person for whom you wish to purchase military antiques but you are not sure what to get? No
problem. We have gift certificated available.
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| ALWAYS BUYING |
We are always looking for military items to purchase, Whether it is a single item or an entire collection.
You may call us at (623) 934-8181 or contact us via email.
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| HOW TO PHOTOGRAPH A SAMURAI SWORD |
If you want us to appraise a sword or if you want to sell us a sword we will need to see photos of the sword.
We offer a quick tutorial on how to photograph a Samurai sword . we point out the things we need to see in
order to review the sword.
You may call us at (623) 934-8181 or contact us via email.
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| JAPANESE WWII MILITARY REFERENCE |
JAPANESE MILITARY ANTIQUES AND COLLECTIBLES IDENTIFICATION AND PRICE GUIDE -
Welcome to the Japanese WWII Military identification and pricing reference guide. This page is sponsored by
MilitaryItems.com in an effort to provide the current and future militaria collector with free information.
The field of military antiques and collectibles is growing. Some people get involved in the field out of their
passion for historical items. Other individuals happen to come across military antiques by pure chance.
sometimes items are purchased at yard sales, flea markets, etc. Other times a person may inherit militaria
from a relative.
Regardless of its point of origin, this website can provide you with information that will help you identify
the items, and in many cases, find the value of the item.
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| SAMURAI SWORD COLLECTION |
The most legendary sword in the history of the world is the Samurai sword. This weapon holds an almost
magical aura about it. The sword was so revered by its owner that it was often called the "soul" of the
Samurai. He did not go anywhere without his sword. The warrior tradition remained fairly untouched even
through WWII, where the soldier carried the sword to battle just like his ancestors did many years ago.
After WWII, US Soldiers brought back an estimated 250,000 to 300,000 swords back with them.
This section of the web site is dedicated to providing detailed information regarding the
Samurai sword. It provides the visitor with a way in which to identify a sword and determine
its value in the market, answering one of the most common questions asked: How much is
my sword worth?
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More swords are available for viewing.
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| GENERAL SAMURAI INFORMATION |
The Samurai swords of Japan constitute one of the most sought after edge weapon
collectibles in the world today. The air of mystique and marvel which surround this artifacts date back to
the 1500s.
Many of these swords made their way into the United States when GIs brought them as war souvenirs at the end
of WWII.
Japanese soldiers took their family swords to battle with them, in very much the same way the shogun did hundreds
of years before. If a soldier did not have a family sword or did not want to take it, the government would provide
him with a machine made sword. After defeating the Japanese battles throughout the South Pacific, GIs would collect
the swords from the battle field and send them back home. Unfortunately, many of these swords were used as tools
for working around the yard, which would damage the blade severely.
Many other swords met a fiery end at the hand of foundry workers who were ordered to melt them at the end of the
war or during the last days of the war when the Japanese military was running out of metal.
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| JAPANESE WWII BAYONETS |
This section is dedicated to discuss the value of Japanese Collectibles such as bayonets,
knives and military swords outside of the Samurai category.
Most of the samples shown here
are for the WWII period. However, blades from other eras are also featured.
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| JAPANESE WWII SWORDS |
This section is dedicated to discuss the value of Japanese Collectibles such as bayonets,
knives and military swords outside of the Samurai category.
Most of the samples shown here
are for the WWII period. However, blades from other eras are also featured.
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| JAPANESE WWII EDGE WEAPONS MARKINGS |
View the markings placed on the different types of Japanese military blades.
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| JAPANESE MILITARY WWII UNIFORMS |
The Japanese forces during WWII manage to conquer most of Asia. The uniforms they used
were very different from the style employed by Germany and the US. Much of the lineage
derived from the Samurai warriors was reflected in the design of their war apperal.
This section provides a free pictorial guide of various Japanese uniforms used by the Army,
Navy and other armed forces.
This information helps identify military collectibles. It
also contains information regading the value of Japanese military uniforms.
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| JAPANESE WWII HEADGEAR |
The Japanese forces during WWII manage to conquer most of Asia. The hats and helmets they used
were very different from the style employed by Germany and the US. Much of the lineage
derived from the Samurai warriors was reflected in the design of their war apperal.
This section provides a free pictorial guide of various Japanese headgear used by the Army,
Navy and other armed forces.
This information helps identify military collectibles. It
also contains information regading the value of Japanese military hats and helmets.
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| JAPANESE WWII MEDALS AND AWARDS |
The orders ans medals of the Japanese empire were formally established in the mid 1800's. The symbology
used in the awards is very intricate and interesting. This section of the site is dedicated to reviewing
the history and meaning behind the medals and awards.
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| JAPANESE WWII FLAGS |
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| JAPANESE WWII WEAPONS |
| JAPANESE WWII FIELD EQUIPMENT |
The field equipment used by the Japanese forces was in many ways inferior to those used by the German and US soldiers.
However, the determination of the Japanese made do with waht they had.
The following is a comprehemsive pictorial listing of the field equipment employed by the Japanese armed forces during
WWII.
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| JAPANESE WWII MISCELLANEOUS |
This page contains information regarding various military items employed during WWII. Japanese military items
are not as readily available as items from other countries. Part of the reason is the fact that the Japanese
did not have a great abundance of resources their military items are not as well built as those produced by the Germans.
In addition, as the war approached its end, the Japanese melted many of their helmets and other metal pieces to produce
ammo and airplanes.
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