Iaito 居合刀 - Unsharpened Practice Swords
We have a selection of both steel and aluminum alloy iaito to
meet your training needs. We try to provide our customers with high
quality equipment at the lowest possible price. All our iaito have bohi to produce the proper sounding hasuji. The only
iaito suitable for light tameshigiri is the Meijin. The
others are not designed for impacting any type of target. Check out our
Bokken and Shinai
usable for blocking drills. We have iaito
repair services to keep your sword in top shape and offer a special
1/2 price repair service for iaito
you buy from us.
Price List
These are not your fragile stainless steel wall hangers.
They are tempered durable blades that will hold up to heavy practice. The
Meijin Iaito is
included here, but it is really a folded steel katana that is hard to describe
as anything but a live blade.

Our Nami Iaito are a breakthrough in design and functionality. Made of a special stainless steel, they are much more durable than aluminum alloy Iaito. Steel has the "feel" of a live blade and is not prone to distort when making a practice cutting stroke. These very affordable practice swords are the ideal training tools for safely practicing the ancient art of Iaido.

The Meijin katana is classified by CAS/Hanwei as an iaito. While not designed for
sword-on-sword contact or actual test cutting, we do not consider this to be a
practice sword. The blade is forged-folded T10 high-carbon steel with grooves (bo-hi)
on both sides of the blade, which allows for a lighter blade and audible
feedback when swung. The blade is differentially tempered using a traditional
claying method and has a beautiful grain pattern (hada) with visible layers. The
tsuka is wrapped in genuine ray skin (same) and the tsuka-ito is premium black
Japanese cotton. The black iron square tsuba, fuchi, & kashira are done in a
"Turbulent Ocean" motif. The habaki is a one-piece brass construction. The saya
is done in a beautiful black matte striped finish going the whole length of the
scabbard and the sageo is black cotton. The Meijin Iaito represents the pinnacle
of production quality for Iaito swords.
CAS Hanwei is changing their Iaito line. The current models
are still available but will be phased out in the next year. They will be
producing iaito based on the fitting and style of their standard sword models.
You may recognize the model names but there will be some key difference.
The handle length and blade geometry on many of the models will be updated -
moving them closer to standard Japanese models.
The Practical Katana have always been at the forefront of providing
economical yet functional swords to the martial arts community. The Practical
Iaito has an un-edged training blade forged from stainless steel. The
tempered blades are not only maintenance-free but more importantly provide the
correct weight and balance needed for the rigors of repetitive drawing and sword
motion practice. Each blade has a deeply cut groove (bo-hi) to provide audible
feedback when swung properly.
The Practical Plus Iaito provides a very economical practice sword as
dependable as the Practical Katana, but using more traditional fittings and
construction methods. The Practical Plus Iaito has an un-edged training blade
forged from stainless steel. The tempered blades are not only maintenance-free
but more importantly provide the correct weight and balance needed for the
rigors of repetitive drawing and sword motion practice. Each blade has a deeply
cut groove (bo-hi) to provide audible feedback when swung properly. The
Practical Plus features genuine Same (Rayskin) on the Tsuka, with a
tightly-woven cotton wrap (Tsuka-Ito). The long tang is double-pegged for
security. The fittings of the Practical Plus are decorated in a Japanese Dogwood
motif with dragon menuki, and the handsome Tsuba is of an iron "sunburst" design
with a brass habaki.
Miyamoto Musashi, arguably the most famous sword master in Japanese history,
fought more than 60 duels before retiring and writing his famous treatise on
swordplay, the "Book of Five Rings". Development of the two-sword style of
swordplay, with the Daito (long sword) and Wakizashi being used together, is
credited to Musashi. Mounted in black, the Musashi is faithful to the original
down to the famous double-ring iron tsubas. The tsuka-ito is in leather over ray
skin. The Shinto Iaito has an un-edged training blade forged from stainless
steel. The tempered blades are not only maintenance-free but more importantly
provide the correct weight and balance needed for the rigors of repetitive
drawing and sword motion practice. Each blade has a deeply cut groove (bo-hi) to
provide audible feedback when swung properly.
Aluminum alloy blades are the mainstay of Japanese Iaido.
Steel swords are restricted in Japan and very expensive. The aluminum
alloy blades are also lighter allowing you to train longer without fatigue.
You can also bring these Iaito to Japan if you train there.
Good no frills starter Iaito. Nice balance and solid construction.
The Nyumon Jidai Koshirae iaito has a reinforced zinc/aluminum alloy blade.
The tsuka has shark skin inlays and black cotton tsuka-ito. The saya has a
Kuroishime black matte finish.
We get the Senshi Iaito directly from Hataya Sensei's shop in Machida Japan.
These aluminum alloy iaito have simple higo style fittings that are easy on the
hands. The tsuka has ray skin panels and is a bit longer than the Nyumon
with a higher grade black cotton ito wrap. The saya has a high gloss black
lacquer finish.

The Katsumushi Koshirae Yamashiro has a sand-cast zinc/aluminum alloy blade.
The brass dragonfly theme Fuchi/Kashira matches the iron dragonfly theme tsuba.
The them continues with the brass dragonfly theme Menuki. The tsuka has
black cotton tsuka ito and genuine same (rayskin) inlay. The saya has a
brown matte chaishime finish.
We do not sell weapons to anyone under the age
of 18 without permission and consent of a parent or legal guardian. These are
real weapons and not toys. They are very sharp and should always be treated with
care. They are not prop weapons and are not designed to be used for theatrical
duels. They are not designed to cut down trees, cut through cinder blocks, stab
through cars, or any other torture test. Be careful to never put yourself or
anyone else in danger.
Nihonzashi LLC, its employees, and associated companies are not responsible for any injury, damage or loss incurred by use or miss-use of any merchandise
sold on this site. It is the purchasers responsibility to comply to local, state
and federal laws and/or statutes. Purchase of merchandise implies agreement and
compliance to the above.
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any Shinken or Iaito Katana
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