Katana Still Water Maru Blade Gentei Koshirae 若水

Shinken (真剣) | Still Water Katana: TangGu (湯谷) Maru Blade (丸造) + TangGu (湯谷) Gentei Koshirae (玄鐵拵)

This practical-style koshirae emphasizes structure and utility while maintaining traditional details. The saya is finished in black lacquer. Key fittings—koiguchi, kurigata, and kojiri—are reinforced with water buffalo horn. The brown silk sageo is tied in a standard pattern. The tsuka is wrapped in brown silk ito over white natural samegawa (ray skin), with hishigami for a tight and symmetrical grip. The menuki beneath the wrap depict mythical figures in a silver-tone finish. The fuchi-kashira are cast in white copper with wave motifs and relief patterns. The tsuba is a Musashi-style sukashi guard in blackened iron (鉄地), with a dual-oval openwork design.

TangGu (湯谷) Maru Blade

This blade is hand-forged (Tezukuri / 手作り) using high-performance modern steel (現代鋼), with a monosteel construction known as Maru-zukuri（丸造）.

Blade Forging Details

• Blade Name: TangGu Traditionally Forged Maru Blade (丸造)
• Forging Method: This blade is forged in the Maru-zukuri style, using a single piece of modern high-performance steel, and fully heat-treated (全体焼入れ) throughout the entire blade for uniform hardness and durability.
• Materials: Modern high-performance steel (現代鋼)
• Purpose: Designed for Iaido (non-sharpened), Kenjutsu, and Tameshigiri (test cutting) practice

Blade Specifications

• Blade Length (Nagasa刃長): Approx 73 cm
• Tang Length (Nakago 茎長): Approx. 24 cm
• Width at Base (Motohaba 元幅): Approx. 32 mm
• Thickness at Base (Motokasane 元重): Approx. 6 mm
• Width at Tip (Sakihaba 先幅): Approx. 24 mm
• Thickness at Tip (Sakikasane先重): Approx. 4 mm
• Kissaki Length (Tip 切先長): Approx. 35 mm
• Mekugi-ana (Peg Hole 目釘穴): 1

Blade Characteristics

• Shape: Shinogi-zukuri (ridged blade 鎬造), Iori-mune (flat ridged spine 庵棟), Chū-kissaki (Medium-sized tip 中切先)
• Forging Pattern (Hada 鍛肌): None (Modern monosteel; no visible hada)
• Hamono (Blade Pattern 刃文): None (Fully quenched blade; not differentially hardened)

Special Features and Workmanship

Hi (Groove) Engraving

• Type: Hi-Nashi (樋なし)
• Processing Range: None (No bohi) – Solid blade for added weight and strength

Polishing Work

• TangGu Polishing Levels:
  • High-grade shaping polish 上・成形研磨
  • High-rough polish 上・下研ぎ
  • High-reflection mirror finish 上・鏡面仕上げ研磨
• Key Features:
  • Refined blade geometry and balanced weight distribution
  • Exceptional sharpness, durability, and a clean, modern mirror-polished surface

Fittings and Mountings

Blade Fittings

• Tsuba (Handguard 鍔): Musashi-style (武蔵風) Sukashi Tsuba – Blackened Iron (鉄地), Minimalist Double-Ring Guard for Practical Use
• Fuchi-Kashira (縁頭): Wave-patterned Fuchi-Kashira – Blackened & Polished White Copper
• Menuki (目貫): White Copper Menuki – Dragon Wrapped Around Sword (Blackened & Polished).
• Habaki (鎺): Crafted from white copper (shiragane / 白銅) with a smooth – finish.
• Samegawa (Ray Skin 柄鮫): Premium natural ray skin
• Handle Wrapping (Tsuka-maki 柄巻): High-quality brown silk ito, wrapped with hishigami (paper triangles)

Saya and Accessories

• Saya (Scabbard 鞘): Traditional-style design reinforced with water buffalo horn at the koiguchi (mouth), kojiri (end), and kurigata (cord knob).
• Saya Lacquer (鞘塗): Glossy bright black lacquer
• Sageo (Cord 下緒): High-quality brown silk sageo is tightly woven, giving the mounting a secure and composed appearance.

Measurements

• Blade Weight: Approx. 0.65 kg
• Sword Weight (without Saya): Approx. 1.0 kg
• Total Weight: Approx. 1.3 kg
• Overall Length: Approx. 102 mm