Saito Hajime's Kunishige Koshirae

Historical Background

Saito Hajime(February 18, 1844 - September 28, 1915) was a Japanese samurai of the late Edo period, who most famously served as the captain of the third unit of the Shinsengumi. He was one of the few core members who survived the numerous wars of the late Shogunate period.

His original position within the Shinsengumi was assistant to the vice commander. His duties included being a Kenjutsu instructor. It is probable that he also monitored other intelligence and enemy activity. Despite prior connections to Aizu, his descendants dispute that he served as a spy.

After the outbreak of the Boshin War (1868-1869), Saito took part in Shinsengumi's fight during the Battle of Toba-Fushimi and the Battle of Koshu-Katsunuma. When Aizu-Wakamatsu Castle fell, Saito joined a group of former Aizu retainers who traveled southwest to the Takada Domain in Echigo Province, where they were held as war criminals.

Specifications

This Koshirae represents one of Saito's favorite katana he owned which was made by the swordsmith in the Edo period, Kijinmaru Kunishige. Tsuka is wrapped with black cotton over white Tsukasame, and Sageo is the matching black woven cotton. Menuki and Fuchi/Kashira are matching Bonji theme, and the Kagecho(Butterfly in the shadow) Tsuba indicates many of the mysterious stories he did not tell as the surviving Shinsengumi member.

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.