Shadow Dancer Nami Koshirae Katana (Hyoshinshi Hideyo Nyudo Replica)

This Shadow Dancer katana is a Hyoshinshi Hideyo Nyudo replica. Active from 1818 to 1848, Hideyo was the apprentice and son-in-law of  Suishinshi Masahide, one of the most famous swordsmiths at the end of the Edo period. Highly acknowledged by Suishinshi himself, Hideyo often did Daisaku (forging the blade and signing it with his master’s name). 

Its shinogi zukuri (ridge line runs along the blade’s length on both sides) blade is forged from tamahagane steel made from iron sands fired in a clay kiln and folded to refine it. The blade undergoes differential heat treatment to produce a hardened edge while maintaining a softer and more flexible spine. This process also results in a beautiful suguha (straight) hamon which is accentuated through traditional Sashikomi polishing.

This blade also has a bohi that decreases the katana's overall weight for better agility, improves its point of balance, and optimizes the tachikaze (the sound a katana makes when a proper strike is made).

Featuring high quality fittings, the koshirae for this katana includes an antique-finished cupronickel mokko gata (lobed shape) tsuba, fuchi, and kashira with intricate nami (waves) motifs. Others include an antique-finished cupronickel menuki and Yujo-style habaki, along with silver-plated brass seppa. 

A mekugi secures the blade to the wooden Rikko (hourglass shape) tsuka covered using white samegawa with regular nodes. The tight tsumami-maki (both strands of the cord are pinched at the crossover) uses Japanese silk tsuka ito.

Completing this beautiful masterpiece is a saya fitted with horn kurigata along with antique-finished cupronickel koiguchi and kojiri with the same nami design. The scabbard comes with Japanese-imported rayon sageo.