I really like the Yamato Sakura and the Tozando Toryumon.
Yes, 2.35 shaku would be good. You could go with a 2.30 for easier drawing, but 2.40 would be too long and clearing the saya would be a pain.
A bo-hi or groove in the blade would make it lighter and easier to handle. I've found that cotton ito and sageo fray quicker than silk, but it still lasts for several years. Sageo is easy to replace, but the ito needs to be rewrapped. Always check to make sure the "diamonds" on the ito align reasonably well or you can assume a poorly assembled weapon. Also, if you can, check to make sure it's a full tang.
For some reason, I never like the suguha hamon. It seemed...boring. But I hear it makes for the strongest edge with a sharpened blade.
These are all sold as weapons for iaido practice, and have two mekugi, so I'm assuming they're full tang. I guess I should search the websites or email to confirm that
( ... )
Do you have a pic of your shinken somewhere online? I'd like to see the blue/white combination.
I think blue on black (oceanic) goes well with the dragon motif of the Toryumon (I just sent Nishijin/Tozando an email asking if such changes can be made on such an inexpensive iaito), but blue on white (sky/cloud) might go better with the botanical Sakura theme (and would avoid a $26 upcharge for black same).
Apparently the shipping charge for an iaito from Japan to California right now is $86 (UPS). So the Sakura motif has almost identical delivered-cost whether from Yamato or Tozando.
(I like Masamune too but at Yamato its a $65 or so upcharge).
Comments 5
Yes, 2.35 shaku would be good. You could go with a 2.30 for easier drawing, but 2.40 would be too long and clearing the saya would be a pain.
A bo-hi or groove in the blade would make it lighter and easier to handle. I've found that cotton ito and sageo fray quicker than silk, but it still lasts for several years. Sageo is easy to replace, but the ito needs to be rewrapped. Always check to make sure the "diamonds" on the ito align reasonably well or you can assume a poorly assembled weapon. Also, if you can, check to make sure it's a full tang.
For some reason, I never like the suguha hamon. It seemed...boring. But I hear it makes for the strongest edge with a sharpened blade.
The blue on black theme sounds really nice!
Reply
Reply
My shinken has blue saya and ito with black sageo. The same is white though.
I wanted something kind of earthy with my current iaito and it has a brown saya with jade green ito and sageo.
Reply
I think blue on black (oceanic) goes well with the dragon motif of the Toryumon (I just sent Nishijin/Tozando an email asking if such changes can be made on such an inexpensive iaito), but blue on white (sky/cloud) might go better with the botanical Sakura theme (and would avoid a $26 upcharge for black same).
Apparently the shipping charge for an iaito from Japan to California right now is $86 (UPS). So the Sakura motif has almost identical delivered-cost whether from Yamato or Tozando.
(I like Masamune too but at Yamato its a $65 or so upcharge).
Reply
Reply
Leave a comment