Having a Japanese samurai sword that rests on its traditional wooden stand would definitely appeal to some as a tasteful decoration, and is really just an example of how Japanese antiques have found a place in many an admirers’ collections.

But is that the only thing that these magnificent relics of a bygone era are to be used as now? Are they confined to being purely tasteful and artistic additions to a home or workplace?

While certainly it may be difficult to find a modern day use for a samurai sword, you may be surprised to realize that in many other areas, antique Japanese swords are as relevant and practical today as in the age that they were made.

Illustrating this particular point to perfection are pieces of antique Japanese pottery and porcelain, which retain their usefulness to this very day. Some such items are so inexplicably interwoven into the culture from which they came from that they are still put to use for the purposes that they were designed.

Take, as an example, the traditional Japanese tea set with its delicate and beautifully patterned cups. Even today, some use antique Japanese tea sets for traditional tea serving ceremony.

Equally, traditional antique Japanese furniture, or ‘tansu’, are still in use.

Who knows, if you’re a fan of Japanese antiques, you might actually be able to get your hands on a few items which you’ll find a whole variety of uses for. Despite their renown for being aesthetically appealing, Japanese antiques can definitely be practical too.