In this section of the Unique Japan website, we hope to provide our readers with helpful information that contains answers to commonly posed questions (FAQ), plus quality reference material to Japanese swords, a comprehensive glossary, plus articles on Japanese culture and whatever else we all find fascinating!
The pages contained herein are a constant work in progress, please check back often.

Contents

→ FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions (Placing Orders, Shipping, etc.)

→ *5 Steps to Owning an Authentic Japanese Samurai Sword

→ *7 Points to Consider when Choosing Your Japanese Sword

→ PARTS of a Japanese Sword and Mountings (High-quality images)

→ BUILD your OWN Japanese Sword Koshirae (Mountings)! Recommended!

→ Essential Books on Japanese Swords and Culture

→ Japanese Sword Care and Etiquette (Produced by the NBTHK, American Branch)

→ How does a Japanese sword get so hard (and sharp)?

→ NBTHK Certification Paper Ranking for Japanese Swords

→ Changes in the Shape of a Japanese Sword (over a period of 1,000 years)

→ NBTHK Issued Guide (PDF) to Different Hamon Types (Temper Patterns)

→ GLOSSARY of Japanese Samurai Sword Terms and Bushido Culture

→ How to Best Care for Your Kitchen Knives (PDF)

→ Japanese Swords: Cutting Edge (Online Tour from the British Museum)

→ The Official Unique Japan Blog (vintage cultural posts)