Hattori Hanzo Ko Bizen Kanehira Koshirae

Historical Background

Hattori Hanzo (1542 - 1596), also known as Hattori Masanari, was a famous Samurai of the Sengoku era to the early Edo period. Born a vassal of the Matsudaira (later Tokugawa) clan, and served Tokugawa Ieyasu; he would later earn the nickname Oni-Hanzo, Hanzo the Demon, because of the fearless tactics he displayed in his operations. Hanzo was an extremely skilled swordsman, tactician, and spearman and fought his first battle at the age of 16.

His most quoted contribution to his master, and the history of Japan, came in 1582. Following Oda Nobunaga's death at the infamous Honnoh-ji temple incident, Hanzo helped Ieyasu escape Sakai, current Osaka, and return to his homeland without getting captured by Akechi and his troops. Hanzo succeeded in getting Ieyasu to return to Mikawa safely. In a way, Tokugawa Shogunate would not have happened if it were not for Hanzo. From then on, Hanzo continued to serve Ieyasu for the rest of his life.

Specifications

This Hattori Hanzo Koshirae is the reproduction of his most beloved sword, Ko-Bizen Kanehira. The sand-casted, extra-reinforced zinc/aluminum alloy blade features the Kanehira's signature double Suguha Hamon. The blade weighs approximately 910 grams without the Saya for 2.45 shaku.
The Saya end features the extra big, barrel-type O-Jiri metal ornament and it has the traditional Tsuchime finish, which is a hammered pattern design. The Fuchi/Kashira set is made of copper with Eboshi(formal headwear for court nobles in Japan). A large metal Koiguchi reinforcement is also featured. The metal Koiguchi is made of copper and has a Tsuchime finish. Proudly made in Japan.

*Iaito are made with an aluminum-zinc alloy blade and cannot be sharpened.