Kiriha-Zukiri Kogatana

Product Description for Kiriha-Zukiri Kogatana

Maker: Yoshindo Yoshihara (click to see more by this maker)
Item num: 4257
** This is handmade and one-of-a-kind **
Blade length: 6.06 in.
Total length: 9.25 in.
Blade height (at heel): 0.60 in.
Blade thickness (near bolster): 0.11 in.
Item weight: 1.52 oz.
Shipment weight: 2.8 oz.
Blade: Tamahagane (jewel steel), extracted from iron sand using techniques developed over 1500 years ago
Bolster: Copper habaki (blade color)
Handle: Ho wood handle and 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.
This kogatana is in the very old kiriha-zukiri style -- it has flat sides with a tapering single angle between the sides and the ha (hardened edge). The hamon is chu-sugaha -- a very traditional straight hamon. The resulting blade is soft and supportive at the spine (shinogiji), with a very hard blade edge (ha). Yoshihara has used traditional engraving methods to hand engrave his own design of a tiger on the blade. The engraving shows tremendous attention to detail and a dimensionality rarely found. The blade bears the message, "Tiger will run 1000 miles in a moment." The ridge is marumune (rounded). The tang has been engraved with Mr. Yoshihara's mark and is filemarked in the sujikai style. A copper habaki protects the blade from scratches caused by the saya (sheath).
As you would expect, exceptional fit and finish throughout.


Availability: Not currently available