Shadow Dancer Toyotomi Hideyoshi Moroha Tachi

Famous for rising from a poor background to become one of Japan’s great unifiers, Toyotomi Hideyoshi showed great skill in war and politics. 

Although Hideyoshi’s real swords that exist today are mostly bare blades in museums, this ornate tachi from Shadow Dancer pays tribute to the Azuchi Momoyama period of his reign. This era was defined by bold, colorful designs meant to showcase wealth and power. 

Forged from folded steel and differentially heat treated, the moroha zukuri (double edged) blade is Kesho polished to accentuate the beautiful jihada and suguha (straight) hamon. The addition of a naginata-hi (wide groove tapering to a defined stop partway up the blade) paired with a soe-hi (slender accompanying groove) decreases the overall weight of the sword while improving its point of balance, echoing the traditional groove work found on naginata polearms. 

Evoking Hideyoshi’s famously flamboyant and extravagant tastes, this tachi is equipped with high-quality blackened brass fittings with gold accents—including a kurikomi mokko gata (lobed with inome notches in the corners) tsuba, fuchi, kashira, and menuki—with kirimon (paulownia crests), symbolizing imperial authority, high political status, and good fortune. For samurai, the kiri crest is a mark of recognition granted by the imperial court for their honor and loyalty. Even today, it serves as the official emblem of the Japanese Prime Minister and Cabinet. Gold-toned brass seppa and habaki complement the overall design. 

One mekugi secures the full tang blade to the wooden Morozori style tsuka covered in white samegawa and wrapped tightly using synthetic silk ito. Hishigami (folded paper wedges) with the option of upgrading to the pro version ensures a solid grip, improved durability, and better edge alignment feedback. 

Sparing no attention to detail, this katana’s red lacquered saya also features gold kirimon, a watarimaki matching the tsuka ito, and elaborate scabbard mountings—such as the koiguchi—with motifs identical to the sword’s. A matching multi-colored sageo ties in the cohesive and harmonious design, making this tachi a worthy addition to any collection.