Hanwei Oda Nobunaga Katana

Crafted in tribute to the legendary Oda Nobunaga, this katana is a premier sword of the Hanwei Generals Series. Its T10 high carbon steel blade is differentially-tempered with traditional techniques to give the blade a hardened, hamon edge of 60 HRC and a body and spine of 40 HRC to give it excellent shock resistance. A deep bo-hi groove reduces weight to ensure that the sword is quick and fast-striking – this gives the spine a cross-section like an I-beam and is a form that reduces weight whilst maintaining overall strength.

The blackened tsuba bears his likeness on one side and its reverse portrays his Yari-armed soldiers in battle. The fuchi features a gold matchlock Tanegashima and powder bag – for Oda Nobunaga embraced the new technology that formed a pillar to the planning of his great victories. The kashira pommel cap prominently displays his kabuto helmet in gold and silver.

The wooden tsuka grip is fitted with embedded panels of black-lacquered rayskin; a tightly-knotted wrap of green tsuka-ito binds the grip and its silver and gold Oda Mon Menuki. The sword has a companion saya scabbard which is carved to fit from wood which is coated with a glossy, dark green lacquer. The koiguchi, kurigata and kojiri are crafted from polished buffalo horn. The sageo cord is knotted from black cord. The sword comes with a cloth sword bag and a maintenance kit.

Tenka Fubu – Rule the Realm by Military Force or One Realm Under One Sword. This was the motto of famed Sengoku Daimyo Oda Nobunaga who had it emblazoned on his personal seal. One of the towering figures of Japanese history, this Katana pays homage to the ambitious and capable Nobunaga.

The tsuba of the sword prominently features his Kabuto helmet, whilst the kashira pommel cap displays the helmet of Takeda Shingen – a most bitter rival of Oda Nobunaga. The fuchi blade collar bears a battle flag and a war fan to symbolize Oda Nobunagas 1560 victory at Okehazama when he fooled Imagawa Yoshimotos army into mistaking his encampment position with decoy battle flags before springing a trap upon them.

Though famed for martial prowess, Oda Nobunaga was a skilled ruler and a reformer of economics. He also popularized the tea ceremony as a formality for discussing business and politics, and this is symbolized in the tea ceremony menuki fitted beneath the knotted ito cords of the grip.