Hanwei Kaeru Frog Wakizashi

In Japanese, the word kaeru for frog is pronounced the same as the word for return. Thus, the frog is a symbol of good luck and the assurance that travelers, loved ones, precious objects and even money will come back and return. A samurai might have his katana adorned with the frog to help ensure that he will persevere in his trials and return to his lands and clan.

This Wakizashi from Hanwei features the frog prominently on its tsuba and koshirae fittings alongside lillies and water ripples – all detailed in an array of gold and silver over black iron. The blade is hand forged and the powdered steel is folded to produce thousands of layers within the steel, leaving a pattern like flowing water faintly running the length of the blade. A bo-hi groove runs the length of the blade, reducing its weight and creating the whistle-like Tachikaze sound as the blade cuts the air. The tip is fashioned in the form of the medium-length Chu-Kissaki shape. The habaki and seppa blade fittings are fashioned from brass.

The wood tsuka handle is covered in white rayskin and wrapped with dark blue Tsuka-Ito of Japanese cotton. Turtle and crab menuki lie beneath the ito wrapping. The tsuka fittings are pinned in place with traditional bamboo mekugi, their removal allows for maintenance disassembly and customization. The wood saya scabbard is finished on deep black lacquer. Its kojiri, koiguchi and kurikata fittings are of polished buffalo horn. A silk sageo of dark blue and gray-green is knotted onto the saya. The sword comes with a black cloth sword bag and a wood-boxed traditional maintenance kit.