Description
Clay Tempered Full Tang Shinken (真剣) | Vermilion Grass Katana: TangGu (湯谷) Maru Blade (丸造) + TangGu (湯谷) Bokuka Koshirae (墨霞拵)
The uchigatana-style koshirae (打刀拵) combines traditional design with practical function. The blade is forged in Maru-zukuri (丸造) style from proprietary high-carbon steel, a monosteel construction for consistent strength and edge retention. The blade has no visible hada (鍛肌なし). A Suguha with slight Midare（小乱れ交じり直刃）hamon is created through clay tempering (覆土焼入れ). The saya (鞘) is finished in palm bark-style lacquer (棕櫚塗) with a fibrous texture. Koiguchi and kurigata are polished buffalo horn; kojiri is metal reinforced. A black sageo (下緒), tightly woven, completes the scabbard. The tsuka (柄) is wrapped in black ito over aged yellow-toned samegawa (鮫皮), reinforced with hishigami (菱紙). Brass menuki shaped like leaf blades. Fuchi and kashira (縁頭) are brass with karakusa (唐草) patterns. The tsuba (鍔) is a mokko-gata (木瓜形) iron guard with blackened patina (煮黒仕上げ) and plum blossom-shaped sukashi (梅花透かし).
TangGu (湯谷) Maru Blade
This blade is hand-forged (Tezukuri / 手作り) from high-carbon steel (高炭素鋼) in a monosteel construction called Maru-zukuri (丸造).
Blade Forging Details
- Blade Name: TangGu Traditionally Forged Maru Blade (丸造)
- Forging Method: Maru-zukuri（丸造）style with a single piece of high-carbon steel. Clay tempering (覆土焼入れ) creates a hardened edge, softer spine, and visible hamon.
- Materials: Hand-forged steel using traditional methods
- Purpose: Suitable for Kenjutsu and Tameshigiri (test cutting) practice, collection, and display. Unsharpened blades are available for Iaido upon request.
Blade Specifications
- Blade Length (Nagasa刃長): Approx 71 cm
- Handle Length (Tsuka 柄長): Approx. 24 cm
- Width at Base (Motohaba 元幅): Approx. 31 mm
- Thickness at Base (Motokasane 元重): Approx. 6 mm
- Width at Tip (Sakihaba 先幅): Approx. 22 mm
- Thickness at Tip (Sakikasane先重): Approx. 4 mm
- Kissaki Length (Tip 切先長): Approx. 33 mm
- Mekugi-ana (Peg Hole 目釘穴): 1
Blade Characteristics
- Shape: Shinogi-zukuri (ridged blade 鎬造), Iori-mune (flat ridged spine 庵棟), Chū-kissaki (Medium-sized tip 中切先)
- Forging Pattern (Hada 鍛肌): None (鍛肌なし) — forged from monosteel with uniform grain.
- Temper Line (Hamon 刃文): Suguha with slight Midare（小乱れ交じり直刃）— formed by clay tempering (覆土焼入れ), mostly straight with subtle undulations.
Special Features and Workmanship
- Type: Hi-Nashi (樋なし)
- Processing Range: None (No bohi) – Solid blade for added weight and strength
-
TangGu Polishing Levels:
- Advanced Polish
- Sashikomi Polish
Fittings and Mountings
Blade Fittings
- Tsuba (Handguard 鍔): Mokko-gata（木瓜鍔）iron tsuba with blackened patina (煮黒仕上げ), featuring plum blossom-shaped sukashi cutouts.
- Fuchi-Kashira (縁頭): Brass with engraved karakusa（唐草）patterns.
- Menuki (目貫): Brass menuki shaped as leaf blades.
- Habaki (鎺): Hand-forged brass with antique finish.
- Samegawa (Ray Skin 柄鮫): Genuine ray skin aged to a soft yellow hue.
- Handle Wrapping (Tsuka-maki 柄巻): Black silk (or cotton) tsuka-ito, hineri-maki wrapping style.
Saya and Accessories
- Saya (Scabbard 鞘): Katana-style (打刀拵) scabbard with buffalo horn koiguchi and kurigata. Kojiri reinforced with metal for durability.
- Saya Lacquer (鞘塗): Palm bark-style lacquer (棕櫚塗) with natural textured surface and earthy tones.
- Sageo (Cord 下緒): Black sageo, tightly woven.
Measurements
- Blade Weight: Approx. 0.65 kg
- Sword Weight (without Saya): Approx. 1.0 kg
- Total Weight: Approx. 1.3 kg
- Overall Length: Approx. 100 mm
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