Hanwei Date Masamune Katana – One-Eyed Dragon Motif

Paul Chen / Hanwei's Date Masamune Katana is a continuation of the Generals Series, paying tribute to Date Masamune, a regional ruler of Japan's Azuchi-Momoyama period until the early Edo Period. Known as an outstanding tactician, this legendary leader and warrior was often referred to as the "One Eyed Dragon of Ōshū" due to his missing eye. Besides his signature Crescent Moon Kabuto along with the black and gold armor, he has a reputation as a cultured, diplomatic, and forward thinking.

This Date Masamune katana has a full tang blade forged from 65Mn spring steel and clay tempered to feature a midareba hamon. The blade is then equipped with a maru gata (round) tsuba depicting Masamune himself holding a war fan while the other side features soldiers with firearms. Additionally, the kashira has a blackened one-eyed dragon and gold embossed falcon. The gold menuki is detailed with Masamune's kabuto on one side and his shoulder armor and breastplate on the other.

The wooden tsuka is then covered in white samegawa and wrapped with brown suede tsuka ito to give it a comfortable grip. This well thought out design is completed with a black textured saya that prevents smudging to fingerprints. It is fitted with buffalo horn kurigata and kojiri along with a brown cotton sageo.