Shadow Dancer Crucible Handachi

During the Kamakura and early Muromachi periods, elite mounted samurai used the tachi, a long sword that was worn suspended from the belt to allow a rider to draw it cleanly on horseback. However, as battlefield tactics shifted towards infantry troops and close combat, the tachi became awkward to use. Instead of shortening these heirloom tachi blades into standard katanas, they combined the features of tachi and katana, creating the handachi. 

Inspired by its ancient peers, this Shadow Dancer handachi has a shinogi zukuri (ridge line runs along the blade’s length on both sides) blade forged from crucible steel and differentially heat treated to produce a blade with superior edge retention and shock resistance. This process also accentuates the stunning jihada and resulting suguha (straight) hamon made even more prominent through sashikomi polishing. 

This handachi is equipped with premium quality mountings, including a mokko gata (lobed shape) iron tsuba, brass fuchi and kashira, along with copper seppa and habaki, showing one’s appreciation for minimalism and clarity. Among the muji (plain) koshirae, the gold-toned brass menuki with a dragon stands out, symbolizing restrained strength, wisdom, and good fortune.

The blade’s full tang is secured between the two wooden halves of the Haichi style tsuka with one mekugi. Genuine samegawa with an antiqued finish covers the hilt while the tight tsumamaki (available options of hinerimaki or tsumamimaki) uses silk ito for a secure and durable grip. 

A glossy synthetic urushi saya with Japanese imported silk sageo completes this masterpiece.