I had a similar question and the basic answer seems to be...

There are no simple cheap japanese straights. Which is rather unfortunate because if it turns out that I like them I'm going to have a hard time getting one on a college budget. Oh well, that's how life goes sometimes I guess.

I believe it was Old School who told me that they were only made entirely by hand by skilled smiths, and the reason they cost so much these days is that they are all, in effect customs. Basically it would be like if the only western straights on the market were Livis and Zowandas. The prices would be much higher.

Sorry to burst your bubble man, I know I was looking forward to wrangling a nice cheap old japanese straights too.