Swords must be registered in accordance with the Japanese Firearms and Sword Law. This includes antique blades and new ones. The exemptions are blades under 5 inches that have no peg hole
(a hole for securing a bamboo handle), and specially made swords that are for training or decoration and cannot be sharpened due to the metals used.

The certificate of license must stay with the blade at all times, and most collectors attach it to the storage bag. It is the blade that is registered, not the owner, however the board in charge must be notified of any changes in ownership within 20 days.

Japanese do not normally carry swords around with them, the same as any other modern country. Anyone seen carrying a weapon will be stopped by police pretty quickly.

    
             
Melee Weapons Chart
Type Damage Size Cost Special
Sap 1(B) 1 1 knockout (pg. 168)
Brass Knuckles 1(B) n/a 1 Brawl
Club (wood) 2(B) 2 n/a  
Mace (metal) 3(B) 2 2  
Knife 1(L) 1 1  
Tanto 1(L) 1 2 Durability +1
Rapier 2(L) 2 3 Armor piercing (pg 167)
Wakazashi 2(L) 2 3 Durability +1
Katana 3(L) 2 2 Durability +1
Sword 3(L) 3 3  
Great Sword 4(L)      
Small Ax 2(L) 1 1  
Large Ax 3(L) 3 3 9 again (pg. 134)
Great Ax 5(L) 4 4 9 again (pg. 134)
Spear 3(L) 4 4 +1 defense against unarmed targets
Stake 1(L) 1 1  
Sap Glove 1(B) n/a 1 Brawl
Throwing star -1(L) n/a 1  
 
Note: please see pg. 170 in the World of Darkness book for details on these weapons, this is only meant for a quick reference.