Katana Moonlit Orchid Maru Blade Radenhana Koshirae 月華蘭

Clay Tempered Full Tang Shinken (真剣) | Moonlit Orchid Katana: TangGu (湯谷) Maru Blade (丸造) + TangGu (湯谷) Radenhana Koshirae (螺鈿花拵)

The katana blade is forged in Maru-zukuri (丸造) style from proprietary high-carbon steel, a monosteel construction that ensures uniform strength and reliable edge retention. The blade shows no visible hada (鍛肌なし). A Midare hamon with Gunome elements (互の目交じり乱刃) emerges through traditional clay tempering (覆土焼入れ).

The saya (鞘) is finished in raden lacquer (螺鈿塗), featuring a black base inlaid with luminous shell fragments that shimmer like starlight. Koiguchi, kurigata, and kojiri are crafted from polished buffalo horn. A tightly woven yellow cotton sageo (下緒) complements the scabbard.

The tsuka (柄) is wrapped in brown cotton ito over natural white samegawa (鮫皮), reinforced with hishigami (菱紙). The menuki (目貫) are white copper with blackened patina, carved in the motif of ocean waves (海浪). The fuchi and kashira (縁頭) are brass with a blackened patina (煮黒仕上げ), hand-carved in katakiribori (片切彫) style with orchid motifs (蘭花). The tsuba (鍔) is a mokko-gata (木瓜形) iron guard, also hand-carved in katakiribori style with orchid design, finished in a darkened patina.

TangGu (湯谷) Maru Blade

This blade is hand-forged (Tezukuri / 手作り) from high-carbon steel (高炭素鋼) in a monosteel construction called Maru-zukuri (丸造).

Blade Forging Details

• Blade Name: TangGu Traditionally Forged Maru Blade (丸造)
• Forging Method: Maru-zukuri（丸造）style with a single piece of high-carbon steel. Clay tempering (覆土焼入れ) creates a hardened edge, softer spine, and visible hamon.
• Materials: Proprietary high-carbon steel（自家製高炭素鋼）refined for hardness, toughness, and grain control.
• Purpose: Suitable for Kenjutsu and Tameshigiri (test cutting) practice, collection, and display. Unsharpened blades are available for Iaido upon request.

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. 31 mm
• Thickness at Base (Motokasane 元重): Approx. 6 mm
• Width at Tip (Sakihaba 先幅): Approx. 22 mm
• Thickness at Tip (Sakikasane先重): Approx. 4 mm
• Kissaki Length (Tip 切先長): Approx. 40 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), Ō-kissaki (Large tip 大切先)

• Forging Pattern (Hada 鍛肌): None (鍛肌なし) — forged from monosteel with uniform grain.
• Temper Line (Hamon 刃文): Midare with Gunome Elements（互の目交じり乱刃）— formed by clay tempering (覆土焼入れ), irregular with gentle wave-like patterns.

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:
  • Highest-grade shaping polish 最上・成形研磨 
  • Superior rough polish 最上・下研ぎ 
  • Detailed final polish 最上・仕上げ研ぎ 
• Key Features:
  • The blade is forged in Maru-zukuri（丸造）style from a single piece of proprietary high-carbon steel. Clay tempering（覆土焼入れ）produces a Midare with Gunome Elements（互の目交じり乱刃）hamon, with a brightened edge (Hashiro / 刃白).

Fittings and Mountings

Blade Fittings

• Tsuba (Handguard 鍔): Mokko-gata (木瓜形) iron tsuba, hand-carved in katakiribori (片切彫) style with orchid motif (蘭花), finished with a darkened patina.
• Fuchi-Kashira (縁頭): Brass with blackened patina (煮黒仕上げ), hand-carved in katakiribori (片切彫) style with orchid motif (蘭花).
• Menuki (目貫): White copper (白銅) menuki with blackened patina, depicting ocean wave motif (海浪).
• Habaki (鎺): Hand-forged brass with antique finish.
• Samegawa (Ray Skin 柄鮫): Genuine ray skin in natural white.
• Handle Wrapping (Tsuka-maki 柄巻): Brown cotton ito, tightly wrapped in traditional style.

Saya and Accessories

• Saya (Scabbard 鞘): Katana-style (打刀拵) scabbard with buffalo horn koiguchi, kurigata, and kojiri.
• Saya Lacquer (鞘塗): Raden lacquer (螺鈿塗), black base with luminous shell inlay particles that shimmer like starlight.
• Sageo (Cord 下緒): Yellow cotton sageo, tightly woven.

Measurements

• Blade Weight: Approx. 0.65 kg
• Sword Weight (without Saya): Approx. 1.0 kg
• Total Weight: Approx. 1.3 kg
• Overall Length: Approx. 100 mm