Product Description for Traditional Kogatana

Maker: Yoshindo Yoshihara (click to see more by this maker)
Item num: 4256
*** This is handmade and one-of-a-kind ***
Blade length: 6.18 in.
Total length: 9.50 in.
Blade width: 0.60 in.
Blade thickness: 0.10 in.
Item weight: 1.36 oz.
Shipment weight: 2.8 oz.
Blade: Tamahagane (jewel steel), extracted from iron sand using techniques developed over 1500 years ago
Bolster: Shyaku Dou (black copper) habaki (blade color)
Handle: Ho wood handle and shira saya (sheath)
Description: This small tanto or kogatana is the work of master swordsmith Yoshindo Yoshihara. Yoshihara, who is considered to be among Japan's best living swordsmiths, creates masterworks that have a living spirit all of their own. He begins by forging the blade from tamahagane (jewel steel), which is extracted from iron sand using techniques developed over 1500 years ago. A mix of steels, arranged for their imperfections as much as their purity results in his unique blades: “The combination of ‘bad’ and ‘good’ steel and superb forging technique is what gives it blade its personality and beauty, just like a human being. A perfect blade has no personality,” says Yoshihara.
The clay temper on the blade results in a clear, gently undulating notareba hamon. The resulting blade is soft and supportive at the spine, with a very hard blade edge. The filemark on the nakago (tang) is sujikai, or sloping towards the back of the tang. In a traditional style, only the left side of the Kogatana has been fully polished. The right, which has Mr. Yoshihara's mark has been file-marked. This kogatana was made by Mr. Yoshihara in approximately 1997 and has been meticulously cared for. On the left side, near the habaki, is slight scuff. This kogatana would normally have sold by Yoshihara-san for $1800. Due to the slight scuff, he has reduced the price to $1500.
As you would expect, exceptional fit and finish throughout.
Availability: Not currently available