Why Japanese Swords Are So Expensive | So Expensive

Japanese sword-making is a tradition that goes back centuries, and one that’s carried on to this day. Each sword takes dedication, skill and can take over 18 months to create. The resulting blades can be worth thousands of dollars. So what makes them so expensive?

Becoming a swordsmith in Japan takes a 5-year apprenticeship, and there are only around 180 working smiths today. Master Akihira has been making these swords for 21 years at his studio just outside of Tokyo, Japan.

Japanese swords have always been more than just weapons, they were artworks, status symbols, and throughout history had a huge spiritual importance. 

Each sword is a unique artwork and one that is made to be admired as you would a painting. As sheets of steel are folded into each other again and again wood grain-like patterns form, and these patterns coupled with the skill of the swordmaster create a completely unique blade. 

Knowing what to look for in each sword is important, characteristics like the angle of the blade and the way the metal is folded could give away the era in which it was made, and even who made it. Every small detail is treated as equally important. 

Looking at the months of work that go into creating each blade, it's easy to see why these swords command such a high price. And as there are less and less sword masters across Japan, these works of art are only going to become more valuable.

MORE SO EXPENSIVE:

------------------------------------------------------

#JapaneseSwords #Samurai #BusinessInsider

Business Insider tells you all you need to know about business, finance, tech, retail, and more.

--------------------------------------------------

Why Japanese Swords Are So Expensive | So Expensive

[shirolee]

You're not paying for a sword. You're paying homage to a tradition and a culture, and also to keep it alive.

[wazer]

It is a heritage that must be preserved.

[MrFat]

Short answer: it takes a lot of time and skill to make a real sword.

[zhelwankarkuky]

"it can take over 18 months to create"
Forged in fire judges: gentlemen you have 4 days

[niles]

Me: I gotta sleep more than 6 hours.

Youtube: Why Japanese swords are so expensive?

Me: Oh, tell me

[eb]

Japanese army "we need two hundred thousand swords"

Sword maker "okay give me two hundred thousand years"

[yogaswarapratama]

Those swords have the abilities to cut the demons.

[isangmalabongproduction]

i like how hardcore his job is and his voice is so calm

[stevemeng]

Japanese Katanas take 18 months to make.
Forged in Fire: let's bang this out in 4 days!

[irishlynsoria]

Pawnstar be like: best i can do is 15 bucks

[giuseppepaolini]

FIRST 20 SECONDS OF THE VIDEO: "each sword requires dedication, skill, and can take over 18 months to create"
5 SECONDS LATER: "so, what makes them so expensive?"

ARE YOU SERIOUS?

[joeymadara]

The fact that he bowed to the sword after he placed it down... I cant even begin to wish for that kind of respect level... one reason I admire Japanese culture so much

[puopoup]

So you’re telling me that they don’t change colors depending on whoever owns it?

[novaonmobile]

For this price these swords better be able to kill demons⚔️

[TheRealGuywithoutaMustache]

These Japanese swords are expensive because weebs like me are willing to pay a lot for them

[leylaford]

I think this is something that makes Japanese culture so... valuable. There is so much respect for traditions and identity. There is so much precision and such a high quality standard for work. I cannot help admiring it!

[jvpineda]

Know I understand why the demon slayer smith got so angry.

[nevoh]

Meanwhile Inosuke: *takes a rock and smashes his sword to fit his liking of the sword's shape*

[초코민트-ul]

Now I see why kanamori got so mad when Inosuke chipped his swords

[RenegadeRanga]

The Japanese ethic of working to the closest possible standard of perfection is astonishing and respectable.
The creation of the sword is about art and tradition above all else now.