Craft & Origin
Longquan Swordmaking & Our Craft Standard
A living craft in Longquan, Zhejiang — and the rules we follow before any of it appears on a product page.
In the hills of south-western Zhejiang, Longquan is known for a Chinese swordmaking tradition that spans generations. Explore its history, the craft behind the forms, and our selection of modern Longquan-made collector pieces.
Longquan: a Chinese swordmaking tradition
Longquan is a county-level city under Lishui in Zhejiang Province, China, known for swordmaking and celadon ceramics. Its swordmaking heritage brings together the shaping of steel, the character of a blade's finish and the details of its mounting.
China's national intangible cultural heritage register describes the tradition as having “more than 2,500 years of history.” It recounts the legend of master swordsmith Ou Yezi forging Longyuan, Tai'e and Gongbu at Qinxi Mountain near the end of the Spring and Autumn period. The legendary account remains part of Longquan's cultural story. The register also records the later renaming of Longyuan to Longquan during the Tang dynasty.
On 20 May 2006, China's State Council included the Longquan sword forging technique in the first National Intangible Cultural Heritage List, as item 387, code VIII–37.
Traditional roots, modern collector forms
Longquan's heritage belongs to Chinese swordmaking. The katana, tachi, wakizashi and tanto are Japanese sword forms. Our Longquan-made selection brings these forms into a modern Chinese-made collector range.
The pieces featured below are made in Longquan, China, for modern collection and display. Historical-pattern models are contemporary reproductions, not Japanese-made antiques or original military artifacts.
How a modern blade takes shape
From shaping and heat treatment to polishing, mounting and saya finishing, each stage contributes to a sword's final form and appearance. Methods vary by workshop and model: Longquan's municipal government describes traditional hand forging alongside machine-assisted production in today's trade.
Look closely at the curve of the blade, the finish of the steel, the fittings and the saya. Product pages describe the materials and workshop-supplied processes for each piece, so you can explore the details that distinguish one model from another.
Find the details that speak to you
Prime Katana offers unsharpened pieces for adult collection and display. Start with a silhouette or decorative motif, then explore the materials, finish and size of your chosen model.
- Materials and finishes
- Compare polished blades, darker finishes and layered patterns. Our steel guide explains common material and construction terms.
- Dimensions for your display
- From compact short swords to sweeping tachi and historical-pattern reproductions, each form has its own proportions. Use the specification index to compare listed sizes and plan your display space.
- Origin and craft
- Explore the Longquan-made selection below. See each product page for its listed origin, fittings, materials and workshop-supplied details.
- Questions and custom requests
- Have a particular colour, finish or model in mind? Email support@primekatana.com to discuss available options, pricing and lead times before ordering.
- For adult collectors
- All pieces are supplied unsharpened for collection and display only. They are full-size metal collectibles, not toys, and are sold to adults 18 and over. They are not sold for use against any target or person.
Explore our Longquan-made selection
Discover decorative finishes, distinctive blade forms and historical-pattern reproductions. Each featured model has a listed Longquan origin.
Decorative collector styles
Explore contrasting colours, saya finishes and motifs across these Longquan-made pieces.
Unsharpened Chonglou Katana — Gold-Painted White Saya, Floral Mokko Tsuba
Longquan, China · Unsharpened
Unsharpened Ocean Dragon Katana — Teal Cloud Saya, Silver Wave Tsuba
Longquan, China · Unsharpened
Unsharpened Sea Swallow Katana — Flame-Striped Saya, Silver Mokko Tsuba
Longquan, China · Unsharpened
Unsharpened Dragon Plum Katana — Black Kamon Saya, Red-Accent Ito
Longquan, China · Unsharpened
Unsharpened Drifting Shadow Katana — Streaked Black Saya, Copper Seppa
Longquan, China · Unsharpened
Blade forms and finishes
Compare profiles, materials and finishes, with workshop-supplied process details on each product page.
Unsharpened Odachi — 130 cm Patterned Steel, Ivory Ito, Twin-Fish Tsuba
Longquan, China · Unsharpened
Unsharpened Fire-Kanji Collector Wakizashi — Clay-Tempered T10, Copper Fittings
Longquan, China · Unsharpened
Unsharpened Deep-Curve Collector Tachi — 1060 Steel, Mirror Polish
Longquan, China · Unsharpened
Unsharpened Folded Steel Collector Short Sword — Black Ito, Olive Saya
Longquan, China · Unsharpened
Unsharpened T10 Collector Short Sword — Black Ito, Wood Saya
Longquan, China · Unsharpened
Unsharpened T10 Candle-Hamon Collector Iaito — Teal Ito, Black Saya
Longquan, China · Unsharpened
Modern reproductions of historical patterns
Modern collector reproductions inspired by historical and military patterns. These are contemporary pieces, not antiques or original military artifacts.
Unsharpened T10 Collector Type 98 Sword — Tan Ito, Olive Iron Saya
Longquan, China · Unsharpened
Unsharpened Refined Jigane Naval-Style Collector Sword — Brown Ito, Rayskin Saya
Longquan, China · Unsharpened
Unsharpened Type 98 Gunto Reproduction — Mirror-Polished, Leather-Wrapped Saya
Longquan, China · Unsharpened
Unsharpened Kobuse Jigane Collector Type 98 Sword — Brown Ito, Olive Iron Saya
Longquan, China · Unsharpened
Unsharpened Kobuse Jigane Collector Type 98 Sword — Tan Ito, Brown Leather Saya
Longquan, China · Unsharpened
Unsharpened Folded Steel Collector Type 98 Sword — Tan Ito, Brown Leather Saya
Longquan, China · Unsharpened
Unsharpened Folded Steel Collector Type 98 Sword — Tan Ito, Studded Leather Saya
Longquan, China · Unsharpened
Looking for a particular style? Browse the full collector catalog or ask us for help choosing.
Questions about craft and origin
Which pieces are made in Longquan?
The selection above features our models with a listed Longquan origin. See each product page for its individual origin and specifications.
Are these Japanese-made swords?
The pieces featured on this page are made in Longquan, China. They are modern Chinese-made collector reproductions, including designs inspired by Japanese sword forms.
Are they handmade?
Methods vary by model. Where the workshop describes hand forging, hand polishing or hand-painted decoration, you will find that process in the product's specifications.
Can I request a custom piece?
Yes. Email support@primekatana.com with the model and details you have in mind. We will help you explore available customization options for an unsharpened collector piece before you order.
Are the historical-pattern pieces antiques?
No. Type 98 and navy-pattern pieces are modern reproductions for collection and display, not wartime-issued swords or original historical artifacts.
Is Longquan the birthplace of the katana?
The katana is a Japanese sword form. Longquan's nationally listed heritage is the Chinese Longquan sword forging technique. The selection above consists of modern collector pieces made in Longquan.
Sources and further reading
Explore the history and present-day craft through these references. Materials, origin and processes for our collector pieces are described on their individual product pages.
- State Council of the People's Republic of China — First National Intangible Cultural Heritage List, 20 May 2006. Longquan sword forging technique: item 387, code VIII–37.
- China Intangible Cultural Heritage Digital Museum — Longquan sword forging technique. Historical overview, the Ou Yezi legend and the Longyuan name.
- Longquan Municipal People's Government — Longquan Swords: Industrial Change within a Handcraft System, 31 July 2024. Traditional and modern production in Longquan.
- Longquan — geographical overview.
- Katana — overview of the Japanese sword form.