Minamoto Kiyomaro Tamahagane Katana Replica

Minamoto Kiyomaro, a renowned swordsmith born in 1813, is one of the most sought after sword smiths from the late Edo Period. On par with the great shinto smith, Kotetsu, the strength of Kiyomaro's swords has resulted in him being known as the Masamune of Yotsuya.

Z-Sey's Minamoto Kiyomaro Tamahagane Katana replica is a homage to the smith itself. Forged from tamahagane steel, the Shinogi Zukuri (curved blade with the yokote and shinogi close to the mune) blade is differentially hardened, clay tempered, and mirror polished to reveal an elaborate gunome (semicircle) hamon. The blade also has a bohi with kakitoshi (a groove that runs all the way down to the tang) to lighten the overall weight of the sword while improving its point of balance.

It is fitted with a brass antique maru gata (round) tsuba, fuchi, kashira; gold plated brass menuki; nickel plated brass seppa, and cupronickel habaki. The koshirae features an intricate dragon motif shuttling through the clouds with the sea and rocks beneath. The blade is secured using a mekugi to the Haichi style tsuka which is first inlaid with white large emperor node samegawa and wrapped with wine color silk ito.

To complement the overall design, the katana is sheathed in an oil lacquered saya fitted with koiguchi, kurigata, and kojiri. The brass shitodome mounted on the opening of the kurigata helps to prevent the artificial silk sageo from fraying.

Since both the katana and saya are handmade, the production time required is approximately three months.