Sakamoto Ryoma's Yoshiyuki Koshirae

Historical Background

Sakamoto Ryoma was a leader of the movement to overthrow the Tokugawa Shogunate during the late Edo period, best known as the Bakumatsu era in Japan. 

Having the vision and will to see about the modernization of Japan, he was recruited into an anti-Tokugawa, pro-Emperor faction, and succeeded in negotiating the rivalry domains to take hands to achieve the shared goal of overthrowing the Shogunate. He is also one of the pioneers who modernized Japan with his establishment of the first modern private navy and trading company, called the Kaientai.

However, in his prime time at the age of 31, he was assassinated in Kyoto in 1867, right before the Meiji Restoration. He became famous even more after the death and being loved until now by Japanese people as a passionate leader and businessman who lived a life of full ups and downs.

Specifications

Being a master swordsman and a disciple of the Hokushin Itto-ryu school, Ryoma's favorite sword was Mutsunokami Yoshiyuki. It is said to be the Mutsunokami Yoshiyuki that he had with when he was attacked and killed at O-miya, and his Yoshiyuki blade is being preserved at the Kyoto National Museum. This Ryoma Koshirae sword is a reproduction of the Ryoma's Yoshiyuki to pay tribute to one of the last Samurai.

Silver-plated copper Fuchi/Kashira features a dragon and the Menuki features horses, as his name, Ryoma, which consists of a dragon and horse in Kanji. Angry waves, which recall Ryoma's Kaientai, are a motif of the Tsuba which is made of iron. A cotton Tsuka cord is bound over blackened Tsukasame. Saya is available in black matte finish (Kuroishime), black gloss finish(Kuroro), and brown matte finish(Chaishime). Cotton Sageo is also included.

A sand-cased, extra-reinforced zinc/aluminum alloy blade provides superb balance for the dynamic air-slashing move. Hamon reproduces Mutsunokami Yoshiyuki's characteristic, Choji-like Hamon. Each part is uncompromisingly hand-assembled by the Japanese sword craftsman, who is an expert in making the genuine Japanese sword, Shinken.

The blade is available up to 2.45 shaku. Weight without Saya is approximately 800 grams for a 2.45 shaku blade. Proudly made in Japan.

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