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.
Of the Toryumon and the Sakura (Yamato and Tozando both offer what appears to be identical Sakura koshirae), I think blue on black is only available on the Yamato Sakura ($26 extra for black same), though Tozando says they can take special requests. I don't know if Tozando would be willing to do that on a low-end sword like the Toryumon(even with an upcharge).
If you look at iaito and katana pics online the blue on black does look very nice. To me it is sort of oceanic (which for me means it would go well with a dragon or other aquatic overall motif--warrior shrimp or heike crab menuki etc.) To me, blue on white is more sky or 'cloud'--so still 'water'--but a little less striking.
Since these are zinc/aluminum alloy, the hamon is just artistic license, but I agree I think the suguha hamon looks bland. I like notare and midare. They're active without being too busy.
I recall your new iaito has a 'water' theme--did you go for blue on white or blue on black? I forget what you did for ito and same.
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).
Of the Toryumon and the Sakura (Yamato and Tozando both offer what appears to be identical Sakura koshirae), I think blue on black is only available on the Yamato Sakura ($26 extra for black same), though Tozando says they can take special requests. I don't know if Tozando would be willing to do that on a low-end sword like the Toryumon(even with an upcharge).
If you look at iaito and katana pics online the blue on black does look very nice. To me it is sort of oceanic (which for me means it would go well with a dragon or other aquatic overall motif--warrior shrimp or heike crab menuki etc.) To me, blue on white is more sky or 'cloud'--so still 'water'--but a little less striking.
Since these are zinc/aluminum alloy, the hamon is just artistic license, but I agree I think the suguha hamon looks bland. I like notare and midare. They're active without being too busy.
I recall your new iaito has a 'water' theme--did you go for blue on white or blue on black? I forget what you did for ito and same.
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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.
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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).
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