Shadow Dancer Izuminokami Kanesada

This Shadow Dancer sword pays tribute to both the lineage of Mino Province Japanese swordsmiths and the infamous katana wielded by Hijikata Toshizō (1835 - 1869 CE), a vice commander of the Shinsengumi (Kyoto Shogunate police force). Wielded throughout the Boshin War, the katana was returned to his family after his death.

Later, the sword’s design was faithfully recreated in Touken Ranbu, one of the most popular multimedia franchises. Its illustrator also based the appearance of its personified sword character on Hijikata Toshizō himself. Today, the sword is housed as a designated cultural property at the Hijikata Toshizō museum. 

Shadow Dancer’s replica of the legendary sword has a shinogi zukuri (ridge line runs along the blade’s length on both sides) blade forged from crucible steel, a material prized for its visual resemblance to tamahagane steel. Differentially heat treated and clay tempered, the resulting blade’s stunning sanbonsugi (reminiscent of three cedar trees) hamon is made even more visible through traditional sashikomi polishing. 

This katana is equipped with a blackened brass mokko gata (lobed shape) tsuba with ume ichirin (a single plum blossom), a flower Hijikata was deeply fond of, symbolizing endurance, quiet strength, and resilience. The blackened brass fuchi and kashira have ishime (stone-grain) texture. Other fittings such as the blackened brass menuki, gold-toned brass seppa, and cupronickel habaki complement the overall design. 

One mekugi secures the full tang blade to the wooden Haichi style tsuka covered in antiqued genuine samegawa and tightly wrapped using Japanese silk ito. Hishigami pro (folded paper wedges) are added beneath the tsukamaki to provide a more comfortable, solid, and more durable grip. 

An oil lacquered saya in the Anshu Ishime-nuri style (dark reddish-brown with stone-like texture) with brass shitodome and Japanese rayon sageo completes the ensemble.