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.
Balance - Select your iaito katana based on balance.

Practical Plus Iaito

Blade Length

Iaito blade length is largely based on the requirements of your style and your size. Longer blades can force proper technique, but an iaito that is too long will cause bad form. We recommend trying different length blades in the shop to see what you are most comfortable with. Your preferred blade length may vary with time and practice, but you need to start somewhere. Since there is much more flexibility in iaito length, you might want to consider matching the length of a shinken you either have or want.

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

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