![]() ![]() Powerful swords in video games are often named after Masamune and Muramasa. Neither are to be confused with Murasame (Autumn Shower), another popular name for fictional katana, which is drawn from a magic sword in Nans Satomi. Thus, the Honjo Masamune might still be out there, hidden in some unsuspecting family’s trinkets or owned by a knowledgeable but secretive private collector. Someone recently (2013) brought a sword to the Kyoto National Museum, and it was later to be determined to be one of Masamune’s make (The Shimazu Masamune), rediscovered after disappearing from historical records for over 150 years. The sword immediately disappeared from history, and its whereabouts are still unknown. However, Tokugawa Lemasa, who possessed the sword at that time, decided to set an example and gave up his family’s collection. As you can imagine, the nobles were livid at this demand. ![]() The Allies demanded all the nobility in Japan hand over their familiar swords. Even after losing power, the family managed to keep the sword.Īt least, until the end of WWII, when Japan lost the war and the Allies came looking for booty. The sword then passed from Shogun to Shogun until the Tokugawa Shogunate eventually fell. Many decades later, he sold the sword to the ruling Toyotomi clan, who lost it to the new Shogun (military dictator) when he took power. When Honjo won by striking the enemy’s helmet so hard it split in twain, he claimed the sword as his own. In 1561, Honjo fought a duel against an enemy general who wielded said sword. The greatest sword Masamune ever forged was called the Honjo Masamune, after a 16 th century general Honjo Shigenaga and Masamune himself. However, a traveling monk who is judging the competition declares Masamune’s blade superior, for while Muramasa’s blade did not distinguish between friend or foe and bloodthirstily cut everything it could, Masamune’s blade spared that which was good, and cut only what it must. Muramasa’s sword cuts everything that touches it, while Masamune’s blade cuts only the leaves, leaving the fish unharmed. In the story, Masamune and Muramasa are taking part in a sword competition to determine which of them is the best. Masamune and Muramasa were described as having very different temperaments, and the swords they created were said to be imbued with traits embodied in the swordsmiths who forged them. While the swordsmiths lived over 500 years ago, some of their swords survive today. Their blades were so good that they were often described as having mystical properties. ![]() This katana would fit perfectly in the dojo, home or office with the Date Masamune Kabuto (AH2088) to complete a collection.Masamune and Muramasa are credited as being the two best Japanese swordsmiths who ever lived. A black textured saya prevents smudging or finger prints and is contrasted with a brown cotton sageo and buffalo horn kurikata and kojiri. The 27 ¼” forged steel blades possesses a prominent and deep hamon and well balanced for cutting or collecting. The meticulously detailed gold menuki of Date’s war and kabuto on one side and his breastplate and shoulder armor on the other put this sword over the top. The tsuka is wrapped in brown suede around a white same (ray skin) which feels incredibly great in the hands. The kashira is embossed with a blackened one-eyed dragon which is contrasted by the kashira with a gold embossed falcon. Our Date Masamune Katana features the classic Hanwei tsuba of him holding a war fan while the blade side features soldiers with firearms. Known for his signature audacious Crescent Moon kabuto and black and gold armor, his legacy is one of conquest by blood and steel which was contrasted by a reputation of being forward thinking, cultured, diplomatic and sympathetic to foreign causes and Christianity. Date Masamune (Paul Chen) Katana | SH24960. Continuing in the new Generals Series, the artisans at Hanwei pay homage to the One-Eyed Dragon of Oshu, Date Masamune. ![]()
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