The War Fan was an essential signaling device on the battlefield used by officers to command and direct troops. The gumbai-dansen version was typically round in shape and stiff with a prolonged stem as a handle. The fan could also be used as weapon using the handle to strike and the stiff fan to block with. Our war fan is based on an original from the Edo period and is inscribed with Chinese military philosophy from Sun Tzu’s “Art of War.” Japanese military leaders were well versed in the strategies of Sun Tzu and it is not surprising to find his maxims gracing antique war fans.

A beautiful display articulating the laborious process of forging a carbon steel blade. Each step in the process is clearly displayed with a physical representation of the blade and a nameplate explaining that part of the process. Parts of the process include: rough forging, rough shaping, clay covering, quenching, sizing, & finishing. This display is both aesthetically pleasing and highly educational. 1. Rough Forging: The blade is formed by hot forging a billet of super high-carbon steel. The repeated hammering provides an even dispersion of carbon throughout the steel for uniform strength of the finished blade. 2. Rough Shaping: The scale is removed and the blade is shaped roughly to the required dimensions. At this stage, the steel is still in the annealed (soft) state and the blade is straight. 3. Clay Covering: A special clay is applied to the blade by hand, using a thin covering near the edge and a thicker layer over the rest of the blade. This results in a relatively quicker cooling of the edge during quenching, producing a hard edge and softer back. 4. Quenching: This is a critical part of the operation. The blade, with its clay covering, is heated to a predetermined temperature and quenched in a water bath. The shape and continuity of the hamon (temper line), the sori (blade curvature), and blade straightness are all determined by the care and skill exercised in quenching. 5. Sizing: The sori is adjusted if necessary, to set the point of balance and point of percussion, and de-scaled. Rough polishing is carried out to size the blade accurately. The habaki (blade collar) is fitted. 6. Finishing: Careful final polishing and fine finish work are carried out on the various surfaces to define ridgelines and bring out the beauty of the hamon. This item is offered at such a low price we cannot offer free delivery.

Our Jitte (OH2052) is now available for the jiujutsu practitioner. Carried by the police in old Japan, the jitte was a versatile weapon that could be used to attack the neck and head of an opponent, but its primary use was a sword catcher and deflector. There are many stories of jittejutsu “masters” snapping katana blades or disarming their owners. The Jitte features a 10 3/4” round-section steel rod and a

Due to demand, the Practical Pro Katana (SH2162) has an extended tsuka and a thicker and longer blade. The blades are constructed from hand-forged, high-carbon steel and are differentially tempered using a traditional claying method. The Practical Pro has a fine polish to it compared to others in the series. The tsuka is wrapped with synthetic black leather for its gripping characteristics and is double-pegged for safety. The saya is done in a deep black lacquer with a black Japanese cotton sageo. The fittings (koshirae) are done in antiqued black iron. The katana is stylized with a round Kuruma tsuba, which represents the “Wheel of Dharma,” symbolizing the Buddhist concept of the Noble Eightfold Path. For those interested in an economical katana that can stand the use of heavy cutting (tameshigiri), the Practical Pro is an excellent choice.

Each piece in the Wind & Thunder Set (SH5001 & SH5003) has a hand-forged 1065 high-carbon steel blade (nagasa) and is differentially tempered using a traditional claying method. The blades in the set feature a large o-kissaki. The Wind & Thunder Set is fitted with the black iron Raiden tsuba and Tomoe mon motif fuchi and kashira. The handle is wrapped in genuine ray skin (same) and the tsuka-ito and sageo are premium Japanese black cotton. The saya is done in a deep black lacquer and the sageo is black Japanese cotton. This is a cutting katana with a thicker and heavier blade specifically for the martial artist that needs a sword for the demands of cutting the larger goza (tameshigiri). This set is ideal for those looking for a katana for the rigors of Battojutsu.

Each piece in the Tsunami Series (SH-5004, SH-5002, & SH-5022) has a hand-forged T10 high-carbon steel blade (nagasa) and is differentially tempered using a traditional claying method. The tsuba, fuchi, & kashira are made of black iron and marked with the Tomoe crest (mon). The temper lines (hamon) are evident and prominent. Each piece has a deeply lacquered black saya with a one-piece brass habaki construction. Real ray skin (sa'me) is used on the tsuka, and the tsuka-ito and sageo are made of premium woven Japanese black cotton. The katana and wakizashi are constructed with a large o-kissaki and are ideal for cutting exercises (tameshigiri). The handle on the tanto is an attractive ribbed buffalo horn. A great set for those interested in the art of Kenjutsu.

 

The Story of the 47 Ronin is one of the most celebrated and influential tales of the Samurai from the Edo period. Lord Asano was a powerful Daimyo ordered by the Shogun to entertain guests of the Imperial Family. The highest ranking master of protocol, Kira, was given the task of teaching Asano, among others, proper matters of etiquette in this task. Lord Asano and Kira quickly grew to dislike each other and the teacher insulted his student at every opportunity. No longer able to contain himself, Asano drew his sword upon Kira, wounding him in the attack. This act led to Asano’s ordered suicide (seppuku) and the confiscation of his property. On December 14, 1702, nearly one year after Asano’s death, 47 of Asano’s men (now Ronin), descended upon the mansion of Kira to exact their revenge. After a fierce battle, the Ronin demanded that Kira commit seppuku for his transgressions against their former master. When he refused he was beheaded. For their actions the Ronin were themselves sentenced to death by seppuku. They are buried together at the Sengakuji, offering a true testament to the loyalty inherent in the Samurai.

Our Ronin Koshirae Katana captures the spirit of Lord Asano’s 47 Ronin. The blackened iron Tsuba depicts Asano’s followers on their vengeful march. The blade is hand forged & folded Swedish powder steel with Hi in a traditional Shinogi Zukuri style

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The Dark Sentinel (SH-2066) is a handsome sword with a bite. Light and quick enough for single-hand fencing but with the ability to turn on awesome two-handed power, the Dark Sentinel wil guard the castle gates against all would-be usurpers - without draining the royal treasury! The forged high-carbon steel blade is complimented by a studde leather wrapped grip with a stylised tsuba-like guard. A leather covered scabbard with steel fittings completes the package.

The incredibly popular Shinto Katana (SH-1001), now joined by a matching Wakizashi (SH-1015) is the corner stone of our Samurai weapons. The Shinto Daisho is mounted in black with bronze fittings and the grip wrap is in Japanese cotton. The tsuba is formed by a finely reneder dragon, with true back-and-front detail.
Grips are constructed in genuine ray-skin covered wood and wrapped very tightly in the traditional pattern to display the ray skin and the menuki. Tsubas are meticulously crafted in traditional themes which are repeated in the pommels and hilt ornaments. The deeply lacquered wood scabbards have authentic polished buffalo horn fittings, and proctective bags and traditional maintenance kits.

Miyamoto Musashi, arguably the most famous swordmaster in Japanese history, fought more than 60 duels before retiring and writing his famous treatise on swordplay, the Book of Five Rings." Musashi was well above average height and his Daito (long sword) was made to match his size. Development of the two-sword style of swordplay, with the Daito and Wakizashi being used together, is credited to Musashi. Fittingly, we are able to offer both pieces with matching mounts.

Our reproduction of the Musashi Dai-sho is faithful to the original down to the famous double-ring iron tsubas. The grips are finished with a superb leather wrap. The oversize Daito (SH-1016) has a 30" blade and 15" grip, double pegged to the long tang, while the Wakizashi (SH-1017) has a 19" blade and is 26" overall. Mounted in black, the scabbard has delicate copper inlays. Truly a masterpiece of the swordmaker's art, the Musashi Dai-sho is a must for every martial artist.

It has been said that in simplicity lies great beauty, an axiom stunningly validated by the Golden Oriole Katana (SH-1018) and Wakizashi (SH-1019). The story told by the stunning tsubas is of a mantis stealthily stalking the cricket, unaware that he is himslef being stalked by the Golden Oriole. The deeply lacquered blue of the scabbards is repeated in the Japanese cotton handle wraps, and the Oriole appears again on the kashiras (pommels).
Unmistakeably quality, the overlength (14") grip of the katana is secured to the long tang by double bamboo pegs. This longer handle gives a superb balance to the sword, allowing it to move very freely and very quickly.

The Practical Katana (SH-1070) gives the martial artist the opportunity to own and use a blade at the cost of an economy sword. The blade is forged and differentially tempered, using the same process as the more expensive blades and producing an RC60 edge and RC40 back. The temper line is authentic and prominent. Cost savings are effected by using fittings which, while making no claims to authenticity, are very strongly built to withstand the rigours of cutting exercises.

The Practical Wakizashi (SH-2061), offering the same quality at a great price. Blades are forged and differencially tempered to produce an HRC60 back. The temper line is authentic and prominent.

The Practical Tanto (SH-2254)gives the martial artist the opportunity to own and use an authentic tanto at the cost of an economy tanto. The blade is forged and differentially tempered, using the same process as the more expensive blades and producing an HRC60 edge and HRC40 back. The temper line is authentic and prominent, making this tanto ideal for cutting practice.

No Licence Needed (it's a straight blade)

The Practical Ninja, (SH-1071) whose construction patterns closely that of the Practical Katana, is again a workhorse built around an excellent genuine blade. The over-length scabbard doubles as a parrying weapon. Undoubtedly the best value available in a Ninja blade.

For those wishing to build a custom Samurai sword on a genuine blade, we offer this bare blade in shirasaya. Which is forged and differentially tempered in the same traditional fashion as the forged series and forged and folded series of swords. The SH-1094 is the blade used in the Shinto Katana, which has met the cutting demands of users worldwide.

The new Practical 'Plus' Katana (SH-2073) features genuine ray skin under the handle wrapping and a much higher grade of Japanese cotton for the handle wrapping (tsuka-ito). The blade is forged in the traditional methods with a far superior genuine polish revealing a more prominent true hamon on the blade. This sword features a fully dissmantable handle.

The new Practical 'Plus' Wakizashi (SH-2118) Made as a companion piece for our Practical Classic Katana (SH-2073), the Wakizashi features an edge-tempered high carbon forged steel blade with a prominent hamon, genuine Sa'me (Rayskin) on the Tsuka, and a handle wrap (Tsuka-Ito) specially developed for its gripping qualities. The fittings of the Practical Classic wakizashi are decorated in a Japanese Dogwood motif with dragon menuki, and the handsome Tsuba is of an iron "sunburst" design with a brass habaki.

The new Practical 'Plus' Tanto (SH-2259) provides a very economical cutting tanto, but uses more traditional fittings and construction methods. The blade is hand-forged high-carbon steel and differentially tempered using a traditional claying method (HRC 60 edge, HRC 40 spine) with a medium (chu) kissaki. The temper line (hamon) is evident and prominent. The Practical Classic Tanto uses a flat black saya and a black Japanese cotton sageo. The tsuka has genuine ray skin (sa'me) and the tsuka-ito is black synthetic leather for better gripping qualities. The antiqued fittings on this set are decorated in a Japanese dogwood motif with a beautiful antiqued black sunburst tsuba. A great econimcal tanto with fantastic quality.