To preface, I know katanas can take a very long time to make. I am also open to smaller options like a wakizashi but really want to maintain the japanese sword asthethic rather than a small knife
My spouse and I are martial artists. He is a black belt in multiple martial arts including japanese jiujitsu and always talks about a tradition of receiving a sword that he unfortunately never got to participate in. We will be getting married and I'd like to at least get him a katana as a wedding gift, or even a pair of katana that we can display.
Is there any type of workshop where this would be possible to custom forge our own? We are fully willing to travel to Japan. even if we just are able to pick out the hilt, scabbard, style, hold similar katanas, etc and then receive it many weeks or months later, that would be ok as well.
Trying to make it as custom as possible and an interactive experience instead of just picking out things online, which feels like it cheapens the experience