Yes, this movie makes me contradict myself. A lot.

I've only seen it once, but I remember thinking that it didn't look like a fencing blade! Still, Sulu's not a Japanese name and this Sulu is not played by an ethnically-Japanese actor. So when I'm feeling optimistic I'll say "Yay for various cultures on screen," and when I'm feeling pessimistic I'll say "Dammit! All Asian cultures are not the same!"