Buying a replica sword online and having it shipped to Japan

[Mark H]

I'm sure this is of no interest to most of the people here as it has nothing to do with authentic Japanese swords, but I've gotten conflicting opinions on the issue, and this board seems to have a lot people who are knowledgeable about the general topic of swords and Japan, and I don't know where else to ask. I live in Japan, and I'd like to purchase an anime replica sword, but it seems they don't sell any here. I'd like to buy one online, but I'm afraid it will be confiscated coming into Japan. Would this likely happen, and if so, is there any way to get around it? Sorry if this is the wrong place to ask.

 

Sword 1

or

Sword 2

[DirkO]

Hmmm seeing you need a special permit to export real authentic Japanese swords from Japan and seeing the fact you need a registration form in Japan to own a sword and to prove it is first art and not a weapon, I'm guessing your chances are slim.

 

The Japanese regard all edged blades as weapons, so I think you're gonna have a real struggle importing a (68" !!!!) replica which has been sharpened...

 

Just my thoughts though, maybe someone more knowledgeable of these facts might provide you with some better info...

[Mark H]

Actually, I think the 68" one is unsharpened. Does that make a big difference? The first one is sharpened though, so I figured that I would have some trouble with it.

 

Also, due to the fact that the 68" is unsharpened, I'm hoping I can find it somewhere already in Japan. I haven't had any luck yet despite a lot of searching, but I know that they sell unsharped, cheap replica swords to tourists in Kyoto, so it's not impossible...

[sencho]

seen plenty of them in the tourist shops around Asakusa too....

 

cheers

[John A Stuart]

Those are cheap non-ferrous alloy blades and not subject to normal laws. John

[Mark H]

Those are cheap non-ferrous alloy blades and not subject to normal laws. John

 

So by "not subject to normal laws", you mean that it probably wouldn't be confiscated? Also, do you think buying from a large website like Amazon.com (US) would be a better option?

[John A Stuart]

Only in the case of non sharp non ferrous blades. John

[Nobody]

I'd like to buy one online, but I'm afraid it will be confiscated coming into Japan. Would this likely happen, and if so, is there any way to get around it?

 

Sword 1

or

Sword 2

I am 100 % sure that the swords you refer are illegal in Japan and they will be confiscated. They are made of high carbon steel and are not Nihonto, so there is no way to import such swords legally.

[Brian]

Yep, in 100% agreement with Moriyama san. Forget about it, not worth the hassle and trouble that will come. Especially not for something like this. Japan is strict, and even the ones that are legal (alloy unsharpened) would be a major hassle to import, and likely to just cause inconvenience if not worse.

I would give up on the idea.

 

Brian