Forge Your Own Katana with a Japanese Swordsmith

Forge Your Own Katana with a Japanese Swordsmith

Spend a private day learning the art of Japanese swordmaking directly from a licensed swordsmith near Kyoto. After an introduction to the history, structure, and cultural significance of the katana, take part in every major stage of forging your own full-length uchigatana: refining and folding the tamahagane, shaping the blade, applying clay, and quenching it in water.

After the experience, the swordsmith and specialist craftspeople complete the polishing, simple mounting, registration, and export procedures. Completion takes several years. Shipping and any customs duties are not included. This is the most comprehensive swordmaking plan, created for guests seeking a serious encounter with the craft rather than a shorter knife experience.

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Process

  • Learn the Culture of the Katana
    Learn the Culture of the Katana

    Learn how to examine a Japanese sword and understand its structure, making process, history, and cultural role.

  • Tanren — Refine and Fold the Steel
    Tanren — Refine and Fold the Steel

    Hammer and fold tamahagane repeatedly to refine the material for the blade.

  • Hizukuri — Shape the Blade
    Hizukuri — Shape the Blade

    Heat and hammer the steel into the form of an uchigatana.

  • Tsuchioki — Apply the Clay
    Tsuchioki — Apply the Clay

    Apply a carefully shaped clay coating that influences the hardening pattern of the blade.

  • Yakiire — Quench the Blade
    Yakiire — Quench the Blade

    Heat the blade to the correct temperature and quench it in water under the swordsmith’s guidance.

VenueA swordsmith’s studio near KyotoThe exact address will be provided when your reservation is confirmed.
Duration7 hours
Items Included
  • Introduction to the culture, structure, and techniques of Japanese swordmaking.
  • Hands-on participation in refining and folding tamahagane, blade shaping, clay application, and water quenching.
  • Completion by the swordsmith and specialist craftspeople.
  • Polishing and simple mounting.
  • Japanese registration and export procedures.
Items Excluded
  • Transportation to and from the studio.
  • Interpretation.
  • Meals.
  • Shipping fee.
  • Customs duties, import taxes, and any destination-country charges.

Application

Your group
Experience2,200,000 JPY / person
Number of Participants
Interpreter40,000 JPY / group

This expert communicates in Japanese only, so an interpreter is required for the experience. If you will bring your own interpreter or can communicate in Japanese, please note this in the preferred dates and message field below so that we can adjust your invoice.

Preferred dates and message

This experience will be arranged based on your request. Please let us know your preferred dates. Questions or special requests are welcome here as well.

We will respond via email, usually within 24 hours.

Questions / Requests
Reserve