Our Paper Crane katana is without doubt the greatest achievement in sword making artistry yet available from Hanwei. The blade is crafted from Hanwei’s own Tamahagane steel (see below) while the fittings reflect the atmosphere of the Japanese theater. The Daisho’s name stems from the origami (the art of paper folding) cranes that decorate the striking Tsuba and Fuchi/Kashira, all of which feature highly-prized “Nanako” or stippled backgrounds. The Menuki feature thespian masks, a symbol shared by the Japanese theater and its western counterpart. The Saya of the katana houses a Kozuka (small knife) while that of the Wakizashi carries a Kogai (hair pick) The Kozuka and Kogai are decorated with musical instruments of the theater. The Paper Crane theme is carried to the outstanding hand woven silk Sageo, the result of many hours of skilled work on a hand-loom.

Tamahagane steel is made by building and firing a Tatara, the traditional Japanese sword-steel smelter. This charcoal- fired furnace produces a very pure steel from iron sand, and this steel “Kera” or bloom can be broken and separated into high- and low-carbon pieces, which respectively form the “skin” steel and “core” steel of the blade. The skin steel is forged and folded repeatedly, to remove slag inclusions and voids and is then wrapped around the core steel before the resulting billet is forged into a blade. Careful heat treating, shaping and polishing reveals the tight “Hada” or layer pattern of the blade and the white particles of the “Hamon” or temper line. While this process results in the aesthetic qualities much admired by collectors it also produces a very functional blade, as the high carbon content of the skin steel makes a very hard edge possible while the softer core steel gives the blade its resilience and ability to absorb shock.

PRODUCT LENGTH:  39 1/4 inch
BLADE LENGTH:   28 inch
PRODUCT WEIGHT:   2lb 5oz

Our Paper Crane wakizashi is without doubt the greatest achievement in sword making artistry yet available from Hanwei. The blade is crafted from Hanwei’s own Tamahagane steel (see below) while the fittings reflect the atmosphere of the Japanese theater. The Daisho’s name stems from the origami (the art of paper folding) cranes that decorate the striking Tsuba and Fuchi/Kashira, all of which feature highly-prized “Nanako” or stippled backgrounds. The Menuki feature thespian masks, a symbol shared by the Japanese theater and its western counterpart. The Saya of the katana houses a Kozuka (small knife) while that of the Wakizashi carries a Kogai (hair pick) The Kozuka and Kogai are decorated with musical instruments of the theater. The Paper Crane theme is carried to the outstanding hand woven silk Sageo, the result of many hours of skilled work on a hand-loom.

Tamahagane steel is made by building and firing a Tatara, the traditional Japanese sword-steel smelter. This charcoal- fired furnace produces a very pure steel from iron sand, and this steel “Kera” or bloom can be broken and separated into high- and low-carbon pieces, which respectively form the “skin” steel and “core” steel of the blade. The skin steel is forged and folded repeatedly, to remove slag inclusions and voids and is then wrapped around the core steel before the resulting billet is forged into a blade. Careful heat treating, shaping and polishing reveals the tight “Hada” or layer pattern of the blade and the white particles of the “Hamon” or temper line. While this process results in the aesthetic qualities much admired by collectors it also produces a very functional blade, as the high carbon content of the skin steel makes a very hard edge possible while the softer core steel gives the blade its resilience and ability to absorb shock.

PRODUCT LENGTH:  26 1/2 inch
BLADE LENGTH:   18 3/4 inch
PRODUCT WEIGHT:   1lb 10oz

The Praying Mantis is a symbol of cunning and power in Japanese culture and is consequently a highly respected theme in Samurai swords. Built on our new L6/Bainite blade in the Shobu Zukuri style with Bo-Hi, and featuring superb koshirae, the Praying Mantis is a very desirable and functional piece. The subdued green silk ito and deep brown of the lacquered saya provide handsome contrast to the dark copper and golden accents of the tsuba, fuchi and kashira. The stalking mantis lies in wait for his next prey, mirroring the power and grace in this exceptional katana. The blade is 29 inches with an 11" handle.

Bainite is a structure of high-carbon steel that combines great strength with excellent flexibility and shock absorption characteristics. It has been known as an exemplary Katana blade component for a number of years but its use has been restricted to a few top-class master smiths, due to the difficulties involved in performing the exacting heat treatment procedures necessary for the production of a Bainite blade body in combination with the very hard Martensite Yakiba (edge section) required for Katana blades.

Hanwei has now mastered this difficult process, using billets of L-6 tool steel (a very tough high-carbon low-alloy steel) as a starting point. Blades are forged and shaped in the traditional way, then carefully heat treated to achieve the required Bainite and Martensite structures before final polishing.

 

The SH-5018 Meijin katana is more commonly known as or called an iaito, by the Hanwei sword company. At Barringtons Swords we feel it is in our customers best interest to make clear this katana is not like the standard iaito (blunt blade), this blade is an exceptional piece of art and true to traditionally made katana very, very sharp. The blade itself is folded steel and made a little lighter in weight we feel this katana should remain in our folded steel department and not in our iaito department.

The blade is forged-folded from T10 high-carbon steel with a full bo-hi allowing for a lighter blade and the noticable 'whistle' when performing striking techniques.The blade is differentially tempered using a traditional claying method and has a beautiful hada with visible layers.The tsuka is wrapped in genuine same and the tsuka-ito is premium black Japanese cotton.The black iron square tsuba, fuchi, & kashira are made in a “Turbulent Ocean” motif. The habaki is a one-piece brass construction.The saya is finished with a beautiful black matte striped finish going the full length of the scabbard and the sageo is black cotton.

Each piece in the Tiger group (SH-1204, SH-1205, SH-1206) has a deeply lacquered black saya, with inlaid brass bamboo leaves. The Tsuba of the Katana and Wakizashi is of blackened iron, with a tiger inlaid in brass. The Habaki is of one-piece brass construction.The Tsuka is high quality ray skin, and the Tsuka Ito and Saya Ito on all three pieces are Japanese cotton.
The Fuchi, Kashira, Kojiri,Koiguchi and Kurigata are of blackened bronzed iron, selectively detailed in gold. The blades of all three pieces are grooved on both sides, with a short kissaki on the Katana and Wakizashi.

Each piece in the Kami group (SH-1201, SH-1202, SH-1203) has a red lacquered Saya (scabbard), with a black ring-carved section at the Saya Ito (scabbard wrapping). The ray skin used on the Tsuka (handle) is of the highest quality, and the Tsuka Ito (handle wrapping) on the Katana and Wakizashi and the Saya Ito on all three pieces are best quality Japanese silk.
The Fuchi (pommel), Kashira (pommel at the base of the handle), Kojiri (scabbard end cap), Koiguchi (scabbard throat cap) and Kurigata (the knob on the scabbard which holds the Saya Ito) are all made from blackened bronze, with decoration in relief and selective detailing of copper, silver and gold.

The Tsuba (guard)of the Katana and Wakizashi is made from hardened blackened copper, with decoration in relief and selective detailing of silver and gold. The Tsuba depicts the Kami, or Guardian Warriors. The Habaki (blade ferrule) is of two-piece construction, the inner section being copper and the outer section gold-plated brass.

Each piece in the Orchid group (SH-1207, SH-1208, SH-1209) has a deeply lacquered blue saya. High quality ray skin is used on the Tsuka, and the Tsuka Ito and Saya Ito on all three pieces is Japanese cotton.
The Koiguchi and Kurigata are of buffalo horn, and the Fuchi, Kashira and Kojiri are of bronzed iron with silver and gold detailing. The Habaki is one-piece of brass construction. The Tsuba of the Katana & Wakizashi is of blackened iron, with an Orchid and Butterfly decoration inlaid in silver, brass and copper.

Each piece in the Bushido group (SH-1210, SH-1211, SH-1212) has a deeply lacquered old gold saya, with inlaid brass sakura flowers. The Tsuka of the Katana and Wakizashi is ray skin, and the Saya Ito of all three pieces and the Tsuka Ito of the Katana and Wakizashi are of Japanese cotton. The Tsuka of the Tanto is of gold-plated brass, with a battle scene decoration in relief.
The Tsuba of the katana and Wakizashi is of blackened and bronzed iron, with detailing in gold and silver, and a battle scene decoration in relief. The Habaki is brass.The Katana and Wakizashi blades are ungrooved, while the Tanto blade is grooved on both sides. The Katana and Wakizashi have a medium length kissaki.

 

The Oni are mythical creatures from Japanese folklore similar to western demons or trolls. In modern culture they are beginning to move away from this menacing connotation into the role of guardian or protector, similar in character to gargoyles. Their power and ferocity, however, have not diminished. There is a Japanese saying which translates to “Oni with an iron club”, or to be of an invincible nature, a fitting association with the 29” L6/Bainite blade on which our Oni Katana is built. The blade features the geometry of our Performance Series for outstanding cutting ability. The 14” tsuka is wrapped in black ray skin and silk ito while the Koshirae feature Oni in various classical styles. A unique combination of folklore and functionality.

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 samurai 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. This samurai sword blade is hand forged & folded Swedish powder steel with Hi in a traditional Shinogi Zukuri style.

The Shuriken (darts) of the Ninja included various projectiles such as dirks, darts and star-shaped discs, all forming part of the art of shurikenjutsu, which was an important part of the Ninja’s armoury. The Shuriken Set (OH1085) contains six forged and tempered darts in a canvas forearm band and the darts are black plated in the Ninja tradition.