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.

Tori Iaito

Price

Everyone has a budget, so let us start at what kind of swords are in yours. If your budget is under $212, then you should consider something not quite as functional. There are plenty of sword dealers who can help you, but we can’t. Remember that you get what you pay for and you will get allot of use from a good iaito. People sometimes think they should put all their money into a shinken, but most students will spend much more time using their iaito. Except for the Meiji, all the money will go into improving the fittings.

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

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