Hira-Zukuri Tanto - 9.3 in.

Product Description for Hira-Zukuri Tanto - 9.3 in.

Maker: Yoshindo Yoshihara (click to see more by this maker)
Item num: 91166
*** This is handmade and one-of-a-kind ***
Blade length: 9.30 in.
Total length: 14.20 in.
Blade height (at heel): 0.90 in.
Blade thickness (near bolster): 0.21 in.
Item weight: 6.72 oz.
Shipment weight: 11.04 oz.
Blade: Tamahagane (jewel steel), extracted from iron sand using techniques developed over 1500 years ago
Bolster: 18kt gold niju habaki (blade collar)
Handle: Ho wood handle and saya (sheath)
Description: This Hira-Zukuri Style Tanto (flat sided tanto) 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 chu-suguha hamon (medium straight) with a long turn-back (kaeri-fukashi) at the point. The resulting blade is soft and supportive at the spine, with a very hard blade edge. The spine is iori-muni, meaning it forms a sharp ridge at the top.
A solid 18kt gold niju habaki protects the blade from scratches that could otherwise be caused by the saya (sheath). This two piece (niju) habaki is particularly dramatic and elegant. It fits together neatly like a puzzle. The hira-yamagata shaped tang is hand engraved with Mr. Yoshihara's mark and is file marked in the kosuji-chigai style. File marks slope slightly leftward.
The blade is accompanied by ho wood shira-saya, which is ideal for long term storage and display as well as a traditional Japanese silk storage bag.
As you would expect, exceptional fit and finish throughout.


Availability: Not currently available