A tanto is one of the traditionally made Japanese swords (nihonto) that were worn by the samurai class of feudal Japan.

Tanto

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VG-10 Honshu Tanto Knife with Leather Sheath

An everyday carry, this massive United Cutlery VG-10 Honshu Tanto Knife is NOT, but it's a great blade for self-defense or even hog hunting. The 10 3/4" massive, thick, full tang incredible VG-10 steel blade is razor sharp, and a deep blood groove spans the entire length. The overmolded, no-slip TPR grip gives you supreme control, and the oversized stainless steel hand guard prevents your hand from slipping to the blade. The hefty stainless steel pommel features a lanyard hole. A black leather sheath is included and the fixed blade knife is 16 3/4" in overall length. Details: Total length: 42.5 cm Blade length: 27 cm Blade material: VG-10 steel

€199.00*

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Tsunami Tanto

Each piece in the Tsunami Series has a hand-forged T10 high-carbon steel blade (nagasa) and is differentially tempered using a traditional claying method. The tsuba, fuchi, & kashira are made of black iron and marked with the Tomoe crest (mon). The temper lines (hamon) are evident and prominent. Each piece has a deeply lacquered black saya with a one-piece brass habaki construction. Real ray skin (same) is used on the tsuka, and the tsuka-ito and sageo are made of premium woven Japanese black cotton. The katana and wakizashi are constructed with a large o-kissaki and are ideal for cutting exercises (tameshigiri). The handle on the tanto is an attractive ribbed buffalo horn. A great set for those interested in the art of Kenjutsu. KEY FEATURES: * High-carbon steel blade * Deeply lacquered black saya * Ribbed buffalo horn MEASUREMENTS: BLADE LENGTH: 17.15 cm HANDLE LENGTH: 10.16 cm OVERALL LENGTH: 29.85 cm WEIGHT: 283.5 g THICKNESS: 0.71 cm

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Bamboo Tanto

Bugei reaches into history to design blades to be used by the student of traditional Japanese Sword Arts. The Bamboo Tanto was Bugei's first production sword. And all these years later the updated Bamboo Tanto with its elegant black fittings and gold bamboo highlights continues to be one of our most popular swords. Bamboo is a popular theme for Japanese sword mounts as it represents both strength and flexibility, qualities highly prized by the Samurai. The tsuba (sword guard) is made from a plate of soft copper that is given a hard gloss black coating and then gold highlights are applied to the intricate bamboo. The tsuka (handle) is wrapped in black silk ito to complement the gloss black saya and glossy black fittings. Details: Blade length: 22.5 cm Handle length: 11.2 cm Overall length: 38 cm Steel: Swedish Powdered Steel Folded Steel: no Weight: 0,3 kg

€1,219.00*

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Bushi F/F Tri-Steel Tanto in Musashi (Two Tone)

A classic samurai combat Tanto, forged from folded 1095/1080/1060 carbon steels. The blade is clay-tempered, giving it a distinctive Hamon, a hardened edge with a softer spine to resist shock and increase durability. With our original hybrid polish, the Hamon is left in its natural state, giving the blade subdued characteristics with all key attributes of the Hamon and Hada visible. With a classic Musashi theme in iron,this sword makes a fantastic display piece that is also ready for the battlefield. Pairs perfectly with our Bushi full-length swords in matching Musashi theme to complete a Daisho. Details: Blade length (in/cm): 12/30.48 Steel: Forge Folded Tri-Steel Polish: Hybrid (Machine & Hand) Temper: Differential Clay-Tempered Bo-hi: Yes Tsuba: Musashi Fuchi-Kashira: Higo Menuki: Dragon Ito: Black-Silk Saya: Black-2 Tone

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John Lee Shiro Tanto

Shiro (meaning "white") has many meanings in Japanese culture. Among other things, this color stands for purity and holiness, but also for mourning and death To symbolize willingness to fight to the death. - Blade in Shinogi-Zukuri style with fuller (Bo-Hi), hand-forged from 1045 carbon steel. - The blade is sharpened with an integrated Hamon line for a particularly authentic look. - White cotton handle wrap in classic Hineri Maki style. - White, high-gloss lacquered wooden scabbard. - With a long rod, which is fixed in the handle with 2 bamboo pins (Mekugi). The sword can therefore be fully dismantled. - No plastic is used, only high-quality, authentic materials are used. - Blade ferrule (Habaki) and washers (Seppa) are made of brass. - The traditional grip winding is lined with real ray skin. - All ornaments (Tsuba, Fuchi, Menuki, Kashira) are made of metal. - Supplied in a John Lee protective cover. - Each original John Lee sword comes with a seal and a certificate. Handle length 14 cm Blade length 26.5 Total length (without scabbard) 41 cm Weight (without scabbard) 460 g

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Shikoto Lonquan Master Tanto Sword

Own one of the revered parts of the regalia of a Samurai warrior when you purchase our Shikoto Lonquan Master Tanto. Carried by the legendary Samurai class, when you hold a Shikoto Hammer-Forged Longquan Master sword in your hand, you are holding the same weapon a warrior used more than 2,500 years ago. Using methods used by Bronze Age swordsmiths, the tanto has a 12 3/4” T10 high carbon steel blade that has been hammer-forged and clay tempered to produce a visible hamon line. Differential hardening gives the magnificent blade a harder cutting edge and a softer spine, which is the hallmark of a high-quality weapon. The katana-themed tsuba and handle fittings are of solid iron and the wooden handle has traditional cord wrapping over genuine, tea-dyed rayskin. A black lacquered and polished wooden scabbard with cord-wrapping houses the blade. Also included with the Shikoto Longquan Master Tanto is a certificate of authenticity with forging specifications, signed by the master swordsmith who crafted the blade. Own one of the revered parts of the regalia of a Samurai warrior when you purchase this incredible tanto sword It has a 12 3/4” T10 high carbon steel blade that has been hammer-forged and clay tempered to produce a visible hamon line The tsuba and handle fittings are of solid iron and the wooden handle has traditional cord wrapping over genuine, tea-dyed rayskin A black lacquered and polished wooden scabbard with cord-wrapping houses the blade and the tanto is 20” overall length Also included is a certificate of authenticity with forging specifications, signed by the master swordsmith who crafted the blade

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Samurai Tanto

The Samurai Tanto is the strongest and best performing Japanese style blade ever offered at this price. The use of Swedish powdered steel, used in the construction of these tanto, results in outstanding quality and performance. Strength, edge holding, and beauty have all been significantly enhanced by the use of this steel along with the complex folding process. The tsuba is steel and matches the samurai katana. The fuchi and kashira also feature Samurai drawing and cutting engraved in them. The forging process for this sword can be seen on our website. Each of these blades is individually hand forged and folded, heat treated, and mounted. Even with these design parameters each sword is unique. Performance testing has shown them to be strong cutting blades with a good resistance to deflection. The saya and the silk tsuka ito are black. Details: Blade length: 23,4 cm Handle length: 11,5 cm Overall length: 40 cm Steel: Swedish Powdered Steel Folded Steel: yes Weight: 0.32 kg

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Tactical Tanto

Based on the blade geometry and superb cutting ability of the Paul Chen Raptor series tanto but with full tang construction for ultimate blade strength. The 5160 high-carbon spring steel blade and the checkered Kraton handle provides a sure foul-weather grip. The fiberglass scabbard construction avoids water absorption and reduces carrying weight, while several lanyard holes and the included ParaCord provide carrying and backpack attachment options. Specifications: Overall: 42,55 cm Blade Length: 27,94 cm Handle Length: 12,06 cm Weight: 382,72 g Blade Steel: 5160 Specs will vary slightly from piece to piece.

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John Lee Golden Flower Tanto

The Golden Flower Tanto features an extraordinarily beautiful tsuba which certainly has been made by a grand master in the 18th century. As these did not sign their work in contrary to the blade smiths, the creator is not known by name. The tsuba has been intricately decorated with golden cherry blossoms (sakura). The cherry blossom is one of the most important symbols in Japanese culture. It stands for beauty, departure and the transience of life. The tanto has a handforged blade made of carbon steel with a fine hamon and has been tempered traditionally. In addition, the steel of the blade has been folded 12 times, that means about 8000 layers have been created which give the sword a beautiful damascus pattern. The sharp blade features a hi (fuller) to reduce the total weight. The handle (tsuka) is made of wood, has been coated with real fish skin and features two menukis. In addition it has been traditionally wrapped in black cotton. The tang is especially long and fixed with one bamboo peg (mekugi). The scabbard (saya) is made of wood and the blade collar (habaki) is made of brass. This tanto has been made according to original museum exhibitions. The sword comes with a certificate of origin, wrapped in cloth and packed in a high-quality wooden box. All measures are subject to estimation. Details: Blade length to tsuba: 27 cm Total length without scabbard: 41 cm Blade´s curvature (sori): 8 mm Handle length: 14 cm Weight without scabbard: 400 g Weight with scabbard: 550 g

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Practical Tanto

The Practical Series represents our most popular set, offering excellent quality at a great price. The blades are hand-forged high-carbon steel and are differentially tempered using a traditional claying method to produce a HRC60 on the edge (ha) and a HRC40 on the back (mune) with a medium (chu) kissaki. The temper line (hamon) is authentic and prominent. The fittings (koshirae) are superbly antiqued adding to the aesthetics of the set. The saya is done in a deep black lacquer and the sageo is black Japanese cotton. The tsuka has imitation ray skin (same) on it. Cost savings are affected by using fittings, which, while making no claims to authenticity, are very strongly built to withstand the rigors of cutting exercises (tameshigiri). KEY FEATURES: Hand-forged high-carbon steel Differentially tempered Deep black lacquered saya MEASUREMENTS: BLADE LENGTH: 17.78 cm HANDLE LENGTH: 10.16 cm OVERALL LENGTH: 30.48 cm WEIGHT: 170.1 g THICKNESS: 0.64 cm

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John Lee Ten Kei Aikuchi Tanto

The term “ten kei” can be translated as “gift of the sky” and is a symbol of nature’s beauty. This inspired delicate flower patters on the handmade fittings that are refined with gold and silber. The blade is handmade using the elaborate konbuse style. The hard cover is made of 1095 carbonsteel and the core consists of softer low-carbon steel. Like its predecessors this tanto combines grace and utility in a unique way. Using a differential heat treatment an edge of 60 HCR and a blade back of 40 HRC is created. The difference can be seen in a real, delicately formed hamon line. - Shinogi Zukuri style blade with a fuller - Kobuse style blade construction - Aikuchi style, traditionally without a tsuba - Hineri maki style handle wrap, underlaid with ray skin - Black, mirror polished blade (kuroro style) with fittings (kojiri, kurigata, koiguchi) made of buffalo horn. - Blade collar (habaki) and washers (Seppa) made of brass. - Has a long tang which is attached to the handle with two bamboo pegs (mekugi). The sword is dismountable. - All decoration (Fuchi, Menuki, Kashira) is handmade of metal which gives every swords its unique touch. - Delivered in a wooden box. - Every original John Lee sword is delivered with a seal and a certificate. Handle length: 5.3’’ Blade length: 10.2’’ Overall length (without sheath): 15.8’’ Weight (without sheath): 1.1 lbs

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Baika Tanto

From the creative mind of Frenchie Jin, CAS proudly presents the Baika Tanto from the Dragon King forge. This unique piece features a san mai stainless steel blade and a fully wrapped, genuine ray skin handle. San mai is an ancient lamination technique developed by the master forgers of Japan where steels of differing qualities could be combined to produce a superior blade. In this style of san mai a hard core steel is forge welded between two pieces of softer steel. The result is a stainless steel blade with exceptional edge holding that retains the toughness of the softer steel.Beautiful and functional with a plum blossom motif, this tanto is light in the hand and grips firmly with nodes of the ray skin. Finely detailed gold plated oriole menuki and accents demonstrate Frenchie's keen attention to detail on all Dragon King designs. Specifications Overall: 15 1/8" Blade Length: 9" Handle Length: 4 3/4" Weight: 12 oz Blade Steel: San Mai Specs will vary slightly from piece to piece.

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Bamboo Tanto

No doubt, solely conceived in the mind of Frenchie Jin, this exquisite and unassuming conceals more than just a cool piece of steel in a bamboo motiff. Place your thumb on the circle on the saya to know the direction of the blade edge, and your other thumb on the highly detailed mon on the handle to draw it open. Cleverly concealed, the choji hamon pattern whisps across the 5" T10 blade to the silver habaki. The tapered mune (spine) sweetens lines on this piece making it a singular piece of sword art. Details: Overall: 10" Blade Length: 5" Handle Length: 4 1/8" Weight: 5 oz Thickness at Guard: 6mm Thickness at Tip: 1.6mm Blade Steel: T10 Hrc Edge: 60 Hrc Back: 40

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Modern Tanto - Bohi

Due to the popularity of our Modern Series from Dragon King and the demand for versions with bo-hi, we proudly present the next versions of this popular genre. Keeping all the specifications of their predecessors, this new katana, wakizashi and tanto series will feature a dragon motif. Our Modern Series represents a contemporary interpretation of what the renowned Samurai would look like in our time. Using the best of the latest technological materials, the low maintenance of this katana is perfect for the urban warrior of today. The humble attributes of this katana bely its true strength and resilience. The differentially tempered 10 1/4”1566 steel blade features a real hamon line with a copper habaki and seppa. The tsuka encapsulates the tang in textured G10 and is dual pinned for a secure grip which is unremovable. The silver menuki on the tsuka are dragons which are embedded in the handle. The textured black saya features an olive paracord sageo around a polymer kurikata and kojiri. The Modern Katana also has the Modern Tanto as a companion piece to complete your modern warrior collection. Key Features: 10 1/4" 1566 steel blade Encapsulated G10 Handle Textured black saya Specifications Overall: 16" Blade Length: 10 1/4" Handle Length: 4 1/2" Weight: 13 oz Thickness at Guard: 5.7mm Thickness at Tip: 20.5mm Sori: 1/4" Blade Steel: 1566 Hrc Edge: 60 Hrc Back: 40 Handle Material: G10 Specs will vary slightly from piece to piece.

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Shobu Zukuri Tanto

The "Shobu" Tanto is a warriors blade that hearkens back to the 14th century, a strong beautiful blade in the robust, classic Shobu Zukuri style. This Tanto is an exceptional cutting blade as the samurai proved against the Mongol invaders where this style of sword proved more effective against the Mongol armor. This style of robust shobu zukuri evolved from the naginata/nagamaki that were renowned for their strength and cutting power. Shobu Zukuri means iris leaf, which refers to the shape of the beautifully curved kissaki. In our efforts to keep alive the Samurai past we enjoy reproducing historical blades of the samurai. This is a sword of the samurai, from a time when they were the elite warriors of Japan. It is our heaviest, most robust sword. Our Shobu Zukuri is a longer Tanto at near 41 cm long with a 9.5 cm tsuka. The tsuba is a "hamidashi" style tsuba that complements the design of the Shobu Katana. The tsuka is wrapped in black silk ito and the saya is gloss black. Each blade is individually hand forged from Swedish Powdered Steel but is not folded to keep the price more affordable. The sword has a gentle suguha or sometimes a gentle notare hamon both of which we we felt more appropriate given the unfolded steel and the idea of a serious, no-nonsense sword. Swedish Powdered Steel is exceptional for it's purity and even carbon distribution. Starting then with the best steel the smith then hammer forges each sword individually. Careful heat treating produces a sword with a true martensite hamon (rockwell 60-62). The differential hardening leaves the body of the sword softer and more ductile, making it able to withstand shock in the classic Japanese tradition. Details: Blade length: 25,6 cm Handle length: 9,5 cm Overall length: 41 cm Steel: Swedish Powdered Steel Folded Steel: no Weight: 0.4 kg

€660.01*

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Daimyo FF Tanto 31,12 cm Gold Eagle

An heirloom grade classic Samurai combat Tanto forged from folded 1095/1080/1060 carbon steel. The blade is differentially clay-tempered to harden the edge will retaining a softer spine to increase resistance to shock. This blade is given our Daimyo hand-polish, taking over 40 hours on Japanese natural stones to provide a mirror finish that provides insight into the Hada and a distinct Hadori Hamon. Matched with an intricately detailed Gold Eagle tsuba (based on an antique in the Boston Museum of Fine Arts collection) and blue Japanese silk Ito. this sword is authentically Japanese while having an American character. The centerpiece of any collection, this sword represents our smiths' best work with modern steel. Pairs perfectly with our Daimyo Forge-Folded Katana to complete a Daisho. Details: Blade length (in/cm): 12.25/31.12 Overall length (in/cm): 19.5/49.53 Weight (lbs/kg): 1.0625/0.48 Steel: Forge Folded Tri-Steel Polish: Hand Temper: Differential Clay-tempered Bo-hi: Yes Tsuba: Gold Eagle Fuchi-Kashira: Gold Eagle Ito: Blue silk Saya: Black gloss

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John Lee Dragon Tanto

Still today the dragon plays a big role in Japan, especially during the New Year’s festival. In contrast to the mysticism of the western word, the dragon is a lucky mythical creature. The tsuba of this amazing sword forms a dragon that surrounds the sword. - Shinogi Zukuri style sword with fuller (Bo-Hi), hand-forged from 1045 high carbon steel - The blade is sharpened to a fine edge with a Hamon line for an authentic look. - Handle wrapping made of black cotton using the classical Hineri Maki style. - Black, lacquered wooden sheath (Kuroro style). - The tanto can be completely disassembled. - No plastic is used, ony high-quality, genuine materials. - Blade collar (Habaki) and washers (Seppa) are made of brass. - The traditional handle wrapping is underlaid with real ray skin. - All decoraction (Tsuba, Fuchi, Menuki, Kashira) are made of metal. - Comes within a protective cover made of fabric and a beautiful collector’s box. - Every original John Lee sword has a seal and a certificate. Handle length: 5.7’’ Blade length: 11’’ Total length: (without sheath) 16.5’’ Weight: (without sheath) 16 oz

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Practical Plus Tanto

The Practical Plus Tanto provides a very economical cutting tanto, but uses more traditional fittings and construction methods. The blade is hand-forged high-carbon steel and differentially tempered using a traditional claying method (HRC 60 edge, HRC 40 spine) with a medium (chu) kissaki. The temper line (hamon) is evident and prominent. The Practical Plus Tanto uses a flat black saya and a black Japanese cotton sageo. The tsuka has genuine ray skin (same) and the tsuka-ito is black synthetic leather for better gripping qualities. The antiqued fittings on this set are decorated in a Japanese dogwood motif with a beautiful antiqued black sunburst tsuba. A great economical tanto with fantastic quality. MEASUREMENTS: BLADE: 31 cm HANDLE LENGTH: 10.80 cm OVERALL LENGTH: 41.91 cm WEIGHT: 368.55 g THICKNESS: 0.58 cm KEY FEATURES: High Carbon Blade Economical Authentic Design

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Tori Tanto

The Tori tanto is an all-new design from CAS/Hanwei that incorporates truly elegant furniture with the functionality of our performance series. This is undoubtedly one of the most elegant mounts ever crafted by CAS/Hanwei. KEY FEATURES: Premium fittings Built for Martial Artists MEASUREMENTS: BLADE LENGTH: 11 1/4" HANDLE LENGTH: 4 1/2" OVERALL LENGTH: 17 1/4" WEIGHT: 13oz

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Tanto with black wooden sheath

We also offer the Marto Tanto to match the katana with black saya (item no. 11969). Like the katana, the tanto has a tsuba (guard plate) and the traditional winding on the handle.Tantos are combat knives with blades up to 30 cm long and worn on a belt and used in close combat. Details: - Material: stainless steel AISI 420 - Total length: 45 cm - Blade length: 27 cm - Handle length: 12.5 cm - Weight: 400 g

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Dragonfly Tanto

The Dragonfly Tanto is a relatively new addition to Bugei's lineup of swords. Made to be a companion sword to the Dragonfly Katana, it shares the same design, just scaled down to Tanto size (50 cm shinogi zukuri blade with chu kissaki, 14 cm tsuka). The blade is not overly thin, but the nearly flat surface of the blade makes it an excellent soft target cutter. Each Tanto is individually hand forged and folded from the superior Swedish Powdered Steel, and is very affordable. The Dragonfly Tanto tsuka is wrapped with dark brown silk tsukaito.All of our swords are tested extensively before they are put into production. We make sure that our swords perform as good as they look. The Dragonfly held a special significance to the Samurai. Their seemingly tireless movement reflected the Samurai's desire to give tireless service to his feudal Lord. The dark brown ito is set off by the black same making this a unique offering from Bugei. The lower shinogi and the scant hira-niku make this blade lighter and faster and gives it less resistance in cutting soft targets. The lighter weight, and beautiful hamon and hada, a product of the forging and folding of the Swedish Powdered steel, will make this sword a favorite of Iai practitioners as well as anyone interested in a light as well as fast sword. The fittings are made of iron that has been "antiqued" duplicating the look of many antique fittings. Details: Blade length: 27.9 cm Handle length: 11 cm Overall length: 44.5 cm Steel: Swedish Powdered Steel Folded Steel: yes Weight: 0.38 kg

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Modern Tanto

Our Modern Tanto represents a contemporary interpretation of what the renowned Samurai tanto would look like in our time. Using the best of the latest technological materials, the low maintenance of this katana is perfect for the urban warrior of today. The humble attributes of this tanto bely its true strength and resilience.The 10 1/2” 1566 steel blade features a real hamon line with a copper habaki and seppa. The tsuka encapsulates the tang in textured G10 and dual pinned for a secure grip and is unremovable. The silver menuki on the tsuka are shi shi (lion dogs) are embedded in the handle. The textured black saya features an olive paracord sageo around a polymer kurikata and kojiri. The Modern Tanto also has the Modern Katana to complete your modern warrior collection. SPECIFICATIONS Overall: 16" Blade Length: 10 1/2" Handle Length: 5 1/2" Weight: 15 oz Thickness at Guard: 5.4mm Thickness at Tip: 4mm Sori: 1/4" Blade Steel: 1566 Handle Material: G10

€359.10* €399.00* (10% saved)

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Musha 1060 Tanto Musashi

A classic samurai combat tanto forged from 1060 carbon steel. Extremely resilient and durable, making this model a cost-effective sword for cutting practice and home defense. Mono-tempered blade and machine polished. Fitted with authentic lacquer Saya, cast iron fittings, genuine ray-skin panels and silk Ito. Details: Blade length (in/cm): 12.25/31.12 Overall length (in/cm): 19.5/49.53 Weight (lbs/kg): 1.0625/0.48 Steel: 1060 Spring Steel Polish: Machine Temper: Mono-tempered Bo-hi: Yes Tsuba: Musashi Fuchi-Kashira: Musashi Menuki: Sword Ito: Black silk Saya: Black gloss

€219.00* €399.00* (45.11% saved)

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Musha 1060 Tanto Musashi

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Shi-Shi/Liondog Tanto

Bugei is pleased to announce the reintroduction of an all new Lion Dog Koshirae - a matched set with a daito and tanto with the most intricate and elegant fittings Bugei has ever produced.The original Lion Dog was a favorite sword of many of Bugei's customers, but in the long run it was too difficult to produce reliably and we needed to focus on improving the core line of Bugei's swords.In the intervening years Bugei has been at the forefront in pushing new sword designs and improvements through Hanwei. Bugei went so far as to fly top ranked Japanese Sword Art instructors as well as professional sword polishers and koshirae craftsmen to China to help train the Japanese sword craftsmen at Hanwei. With the improvements we saw as a result of those efforts we decided to revisit the original idea behind the original Lion Dog koshirae. We thought of bringing it back as a "classic" design, but with all of the improvements seen from Paul Chen's Hanwei forge we decided it was time to challenge Hanwei to make their best sword ever. So we redesigned the koshirae, added kogatana and kogai, and really pushed the envelope for production swords. Hanwei was up to the challenge.The production sword market has grown greatly in the last 5-10 years. Many swords are haphazard at best in terms of shaping and style. We decided that if we were to reintroduce the Lion Dog koshirae we would completely redesign the concept.The "golden age" of the Japanese sword was Kamakura era of Japanese history. The very greatest names in Japanese sword history were working across Japan making fierce weapons that today are considered to be virtually priceless works of art. Many of these blades were deeply curved for use as tachi. As usage changed to katana style thrust through the obi on the warrior's side these magnificent blades were shortened. This created a very distinctive look to the curvature of the sword and basically defined what was "correct" for the rest of sword history. So we decided to focus on the period of history when the sword was first being worn through the obi. As a result we decided to produce the Lion Dog set as a daisho with the short sword being a tanto rather than the wakizashi to reflect the times we were representing. Next we went to the books on the great smiths of history. We chose a long sword (daito) and a tanto (shoto) by the great smith Masamune as the models for the shape, dimensions, and overall "feel" of the Lion Dog daisho. Masamune was considered to be one of the greatest, if not the greatest, smiths of Japanese sword history.His influence on the Japanese sword was profound and widely felt. His "Ten Famous Students" are themselves considered the innovators and in the highest levels of sword craft historically. So it seemed only natural to select a blade shape based on the work of Masamune. Of course we could never duplicate the wonderous artistry of a master like Masamune, but we wanted to have something absolutely authoritative and representative to base the Lion Dog upon. This goes right down to the two fine grooves carefully carved into the tanto. The Lion Dog, or shishi, is a very popular motif in the sword arts. With the connotations of protection, power, and truth they were an appealing theme to the warrior. But to be strictly accurate Shishi translates just to "lion." Of course the problem here is there are no lions in Japan. So why did so many temples end up with shishi guarding the gates? Why is the image of the shishi such a powerful image?Lions were seen in early Buddhist art and were called "foo-dogs" by the Chinese (the dog of the Buddha) or "Lions of Korea" by the Koreans. Often the "foo-dog" was pictured in the presence of the Buddha and was considered to be a powerful guardian. The roar of the lion represented power, protection, authority, truth, and a naturalistic honesty within Buddhist thought.In the 7th century Buddhism swept into Japan from China and Korea. The Japanese would hae seen paintings and scultures at this time representing these creatures and since they didn't have lions themselves their representations and descriptions would be based somewhat on what they new from art and how the concept was introduced. One version of te shishi was called the Karashishi or "Chinese Lion" probably in part due to the similarity to the facial structure of the Chinese Pekinese dog.These were often represented with an open mouth. The opem mouth most likely represented the release of bad spirits. Sometimes they would hold a round Buddhist jewel in their open mouth or between their feet which itself represented great power. The Korean shishi was called the Komainu or "Korean Dog." Usually the Komainu shishi has a ferocious expression with a closed mouth for keeping in the good spirits.The shishi represents great power, strength and authority. There are other themes with the open and closed mouth of in and yo, birth and death, releasing and keeping in, and so forth. Ultimately the shishi is a powerful representation of the "muscle" backing up the truth of Buddhism. As a result in Japan many Buddhist temples will have two shishi guardians at the entrance.In revisiting the overall koshirae design we decided it was time to bring in things never seen before in production swords. Most production swords are untilitarian in design but there is a rich diversty of mounting styles and options in the world of the Japanese sword. We wanted to build a koshirae representative of the time and style. We designed a kozuka with a functional blade for the katana and a kogai for the tanto. The kozuka, kogai and menuki have a peony design which is traditionally used with the shishi motif. Important note: The pictured Katanais not part of the delivery, but you can also find it in our shop under the number: Shi-Shi / Liondog Katana, 79 cm blade length [11849] Shi-Shi / Liondog Katana, 75 cm blade length [11850] Shi-Shi / Liondog Katana, 72 cm blade length [11851]

€1,899.00*

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Item is in field warehouse, long distance shipping.

Crane Tanto

We also offer the Marto Tanto to go with the Katana (Item No. 11966). Like the katana, the tanto has a tsuba (guard plate) and the traditional winding on the handle.Tantos are combat knives with blades up to 30 cm long, worn on a belt and used in close combat. Details: - Material: stainless steel AISI 420 - Total length: 45 cm - Blade length: 27 cm - Handle length: 12.5 cm - Weight: 400 g

€99.00*

Ensure 99 bonus points

Item is in field warehouse.

Black Tanto

Simple black tanto made of stainless steel, which like a katana has a tsuba and the traditional handle wrapping (tsukamaki).Tantos are combat knives with blades up to 30 cm. They were worn on a belt (obi) and used in close combat. Details: - Material: stainless steel AISI 420 - Total length: 45 cm - Blade length: 27 cm - Handle length: 12.5 cm - Weight: 400 g

€99.00*

Ensure 99 bonus points

Item is in field warehouse.