Selecting an Iaito Katana for Japanese Swordsmanship

These guides are based on the key things a student of the Japanese Sword need to worry about. It only includes standard iaito used for iaito or battodo. It is based on the specific physical aspects of various swords. Remember that this is only a guide and we recommend that you ask your Sensei’s advice. If you want a heavier iaito, you might consider having the edge removed from a shinken that has bohi (a large groove).

Price - Select you iaito katana based on price.
Blade Length - Select your iaito katana based on blade length.
Weight and Balance - Select your iaito katana based on weight and balance.

Weight and Balance

Everyone seems to have a different opinion on the benefits of heavy and light katana. Light katana can feel unsubstantial, but can make long practice sessions easier. A heavy katana can help build up strength and may feel more like a shinken. Weight should be considered with the balance. A katana will feel heavier if it has a forward balance. Balance is the measure of the balance point of an iaito in inches from the tsuba (guard). A larger balance point with a heavy blade will make the iaito feel very tip heavy. That can be a positive thing if you want to make the iaito feel like a heavier shinken cutting blade. A heavy tsuba will make an iaito heavier, and improve the balance. A light tsuba will make the iaito feel more tip heavy and more like many shinken.

	Balance	Weight	Handle	Length	Recommended Height	Price	Comments
Nami (Wave) 26"	3.4	1.9	10.6	25.9	5' 3" to 6' 0"	$254
Nami (Wave) 28"	3.4	1.9	10.6	27.8	5' 5" to 6' 2"	$254
Practical Forged 27"	3.7	1.9	10.6	26.9	5' 4" to 6' 1"	$212
Practical Plus Forged 27"	3.7	1.8	10.8	26.7	5' 4" to 6' 1"	$254
Practical Plus Forged 28"	3.9	1.9	10.7	27.8	5' 5" to 6' 2"	$254
Practical Forged 28"	4.2	1.9	10.6	27.8	5' 5" to 6' 2"	$212
Nami (Wave) 27"	4.3	1.9	10.6	26.9	5' 4" to 6' 1"	$254
Practical Plus Forged 29"	4.3	2.0	10.6	28.9	5' 6" to 6' 3"	$254
Nyumon Jidai Koshirae 2.2 Shaku	4.4	1.5	10.1	26.2	5' 3" to 6' 0"	$269
Practical Forged 29"	4.6	1.9	10.5	28.8	5' 6" to 6' 3"	$212
Nami (Wave) 29"	4.6	2.0	10.5	28.7	5' 6" to 6' 3"	$254
Nyumon Jidai Koshirae 2.25 Shaku	5.3	1.6	9.8	26.8	5' 4" to 6' 1"	$269
Nyumon Jidai Koshirae 2.3 Shaku	5.4	1.6	9.7	27.4	5' 4" to 6' 1"	$269
Nyumon Jidai Koshirae 2.35 Shaku	5.4	1.6	9.6	28.1	5' 5" to 6' 2"	$269
Nyumon Jidai Koshirae 2.4 Shaku	5.4	1.6	9.7	28.7	5' 6" to 6' 3"	$269
Nyumon Jidai Koshirae 2.45 Shaku	5.5	1.6	9.7	29.4	5' 6" to 6' 3"	$269
Basic Yamashiro 2.30 Shaku	6.9	1.9	9.6	27.3	5' 4" to 6' 1"	$399
Gorin (5 Rings) 26"	3.4	1.8	10.6	25.9	5' 3" to 6' 0"	$356
Gorin (5 Rings) 27"	3.4	1.9	10.6	26.8	5' 4" to 6' 1"	$356
Gorin (5 Rings) 28"	3.6	1.9	10.6	27.9	5' 5" to 6' 2"	$356
Gorin (5 Rings) 29"	3.6	1.9	10.6	28.9	5' 6" to 6' 3"	$356
Musashi Forged 27"	4.1	1.8	10.6	26.9	5' 4" to 6' 1"	$424
Musashi Forged 28"	4.2	1.9	10.7	27.7	5' 5" to 6' 2"	$424
Musashi Forged 29"	4.2	1.9	10.8	28.6	5' 6" to 6' 3"	$424
Tsuru (Crane) 26"	2.9	1.9	10.8	25.9	5' 3" to 6' 0"	$458
Tsuru (Crane) 27"	3.5	1.9	10.8	27.0	5' 4" to 6' 1"	$458
Tsuru (Crane) 28"	3.8	2.0	10.7	27.9	5' 5" to 6' 2"	$458
Tsuru (Crane) 29"	4.6	2.0	10.8	28.6	5' 6" to 6' 3"	$458
Shinto Forged 29"	4.2	1.9	10.7	28.9	5' 6" to 6' 3"	$577
Tori Forged 27"	3.5	1.9	10.7	26.9	5' 4" to 6' 1"	$611
Tori Forged 28"	3.8	2.0	10.7	27.8	5' 5" to 6' 2"	$611
Tori Forged 29"	4.0	2.0	10.6	28.8	5' 6" to 6' 3"	$611
Katsumushi Yamashiro 2.45 Shaku	5.9	1.8	10.3	29.3	5' 6" to 6' 3"	$699
Mejin Folded Steel 28"	4.3	2.3	10.6	28.0	5' 5" to 6' 2"	$1,070

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