Shadow Dancer 9260 Steel Nodachi

The Nodachi (野太刀) or “field sword” has a long history tied with the shifting battlefield tactics of Japanese feudal warfare, becoming prominent during the Nanboku-chō period (1336 - 1392 CE) when samurai required weapons with devastating momentum and extreme reach. During the chaotic Sengoku Jidai (Warring States period), select warriors used the nodachi in the frontlines to break enemy formations, taking out the legs of warhorses or foot soldiers. 

Staying true to ancient battle ready dimensions, this Shadow Dancer Nodachi is a spectacular piece, measuring approximately 51.2 inches (130cm) in length. Its heat treated and oil quenched shinogi zukuri (ridge line runs along the blade’s length on both sides) blade is forged from 9260 steel, which contains a higher level of silicon, giving it impressive resilience, shock resistance, and flexibility. A bohi on the mirror polished blade takes off any excess weight and shifts the point of balance towards the handle, improving the sword’s agility and maneuverability. The absence of a yokote (transitional line separating the blade’s body and tip) reduces drag and friction, facilitating smoother thrusting and slicing strikes. 

Focused on performance, this Hamidashi style nodachi has a smaller blackened brass tsuba to eliminate even more weight, enhancing agility and speed while reducing physical fatigue. Other fittings include blackened brass fuchi and kashira with a stone-wall pattern, brass menuki, and gold-toned copper seppa and brass habaki. 

For added security and stability, two mekugi secure the full tang blade to the wooden Haichi-style tsuka covered with white genuine samegawa wrapped tightly using synthetic silk ito. Optional hishigami (folded paper wedges) or hishigami pro upgrades underneath the ito help to prevent the ito from shifting and fraying while also offering a more solid grip. 

Completing this nodachi is an elegant matte black oil-lacquered saya paired with brass shitodome and matching thickened sageo.