Katsu Kaishu's Tadayoshi Koshirae

Historical Background

Count Katsu Kaishu(1823-1899) was a Japanese naval officer and statesman during the Late Tokugawa shogunate and the Meiji period, who was licensed from the school of Jukishinkage-ryu Kenjutsu.

In 1860, Katsu was assigned to command the first warship of Japan, Kanrin-Maru, to escort the first Japanese delegation to the US for the formal ratification of the Harris Treaty. After the collapse of the Tokugawa forces in late 1867, he took a very important part in negotiating the peaceful surrender of Edo Castle to the Satcho(Satsuma and Choshu) Alliance which fought against the Shogunate.

Specifications

As a noble swordsman who worked towards bringing unity to Japan, one of the swords he owned was made by a famous swordsmith, Bizen Tadayoshi. Tsuka is wrapped with black suede over white Tsukasame and contrasting the black suede, Sageo is White silk. Refreshing and yet dignified silver antique finished Menuki with the motif of a dragon represents his friendship with Ryoma(龍馬, dragon). Fuchi/Kashira and Tsuba have a matching Nami(waves) theme, illustrating his life as a naval officer, and his broad perspective.

A sand-cased, reinforced aluminum-zinc alloy blade provides superb balance for dynamic air-slashing moves. 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 from 2.20 shaku up to 2.45 shaku. Weight without Saya is approximately 800 grams (for 2.45 shaku).

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