Kato Kiyomasa's Masakuni Dodanuki Koshirae

Historical Background A Dodanuki, meaning "sword that cuts through torsos", is a Japanese swordsmith school and the sword design was first developed by the master swordsmith Dodanuki Kunikatsu. Made to slice through its target with a single cut, a sword of Dodanuki design is characterized by its thicker and heavier blade. Kato Kiyomasa, a Daimyo from the Azuchi-Momoyama period to the early Edo period, was particularly fond of Dodanuki blades, considering the design to be the apex of military dynamism and power. In fact, in honor of this great smithing achievement, Kiyomasa gave Kunikatsu a Kanji from his name as an accolade. Thereafter, Kunikatsu was known as Masakuni, and swords of the Dodanuki Masakuni design were forever guaranteed a place in the halls of Japan's long history.  Specifications In reproducing this famous sword we have remained true to Dodanuki's most characteristic trademarks: the elegance of simplicity and dynamism. This Dodanuki Masakuni Koshirae is the ultimate version of all Dodanuki-style Iaito. Fuchi/Kashira, Kurigata, Kojiri, and two Saya Dowa are made of copper with a Tsuchime Uchidashi(hand-hammered pattern) style theme.  The iron Tsuba features the Acala known as Fudo Myo-O and approximately one-third of Saya features the black gloss rattan-wrapped Sendan style, while the rest has the luxurious Kuronuri Itomaki, that is, black coiled thread finish. Tsuka is wrapped with black genuine leather over white stingray skin. The blade with two grooves on each side is made of sand-casted, reinforced zinc/aluminum alloy and features Masakuni's signature Suguha Hamon, which weighs 1,150 grams without the Saya. Proudly made in Japan. *Iaito are made with an aluminum-zinc alloy blade and cannot be sharpened or constructed for cutting.