Hanwei Great Wave Katana – T10 Steel Tomoe Motif

This Great Wave Katana from Hanwei is a formidable looking sword. Featuring a blade forged from T10 tool steel, this alloy is said to be equivalent to 1095 high carbon steel, but with the addition of silicon, which improves its strength and edge retention after heat treatment and clay tempering. This process also brings about a striking hamon that adds to the overall aesthetics of the sword. This blade features a long o-kissaki tip.

This katana displays the Tomoe motif that is often seen in family crests and shrines. The term "Tomoe" is translated as "comma", referring to the use of comma-like swirls. Its use can range from one to four tome, but when circumscribed in a circle, often appears in three, a design known as mitsudomoe.

In line with the design, the blackened iron maru gata (round) tsuba has a mitsudomoe theme, a design that also carries over to the fuchi and kashira detailed in gold. Other quality fittings include the gold colored habaki, seppa, and menuki. The tsuka for this sword is first covered with white same before it is tightly wrapped using black tsuka ito to give it a secure and comfortable grip. The katana is then completed with a black lacquered saya fitted with a kurigata, shitodome, and black sageo.

This design is also available in a wakizashi and tanto (SH5002 and SH5022), which can be acquired to make a complete Daisho Set.