BattleBlades Sengoku Busho Shinken Katana Sword

Sengoku Busho Shinken, BattleBlades

The Sengoku Bushō Shinken sword was inspired by the Tachi swords of earlier periods of Japanese history. This Shinken sword is a weapon of the high-ranking Samurai and is therefore particularly impressive in terms of decoration. It is made of 1095 steel and operated like a katana. In the following text you can read more about the history of the Sengoku period and the Busho Shinken sword.

Samurai Weapons of the Sengoku Busho

The Sengoku period was one of the most warfilled eras in feudal Japan and lasted for 136 years. During this period of Japanese history, there were high-ranking samurai and officers called the Sengoku Bushō who also acted as bodyguards for the rulers, as they had to be constantly protected from the assassins of the opposing states. The weapons carried by the Sengoku Bushō were often much more elaborately designed and expensive to match their higher rank. For this reason, BattleBlades has chosen to decorate this sword with antique brass details; magnificently ornate fittings on the saya and kashira, as well as a flower-patterned fuchi and koiguchi.

The features of the Sengoku Busho Shinken sword

The Sengoku Bushō Shinken sword was originally inspired by the Tachi swords of earlier periods in Japanese history. BattleBlades wanted to retain the effective Koshi Sori-like deep curvature of the blade, common for Tachi, along with some other details, such as the fittings on the scabbard and the Tachi-style Koshirae. This hand-forged 1095 steel hybrid is meant to be carried like a Katana, drawn and wielded with the style and techniques developed for katanas in the Sengoku period.

This sword has the deepest sori yet of any BattleBlades sword, ensuring maximum cutting power and efficiency with less force. The wide full-length bo-hi continues to the Yokote line that separates the rest of the Nagasa from its appealing trademark: the O-kissaki tip. The wide bo-hi makes the blade lighter, stiffens it and provides effortless handling. The flaming, vivid and extremely visible Sanbon Suki style Hamon is incomparable to any other sword from the company. In contrast to the imposing Nagasa and the magnificent flaming Hamon line, a simplified brass Habaki has been added.

Handcrafted and decorated Shinken sword

Even though the Tsuka has many distinctive features of the Muromachi era Tachi sword, like the tsuba and the Kabuto Gane style antique-finish kashira, the shape of the Tsuka itself is a bit more katana-like. The delicate Rikko (hourglass) shape along with the Tsumami Maki wrapping ensures a firm and secure grip when wielding the weapon. The length of the tsuka, on the other hand, is similar to that of a Tachi; meant for a more spacious two-handed grip. When holding the sword with both hands, the customized antique-finish brass menuki fit perfectly in the palm of the hand and provide a firm grip. The dark brown Ito is secured with a flower-patterned fuchi and kashira of antique-finish brass, which beautifully frames the black ray skin that peeks out from under the Ito. Regardless of the decorative elements on this sword, Battleblades can guarantee that the balance of this Shinken sword is spot on and set for heavy Tameshigiri.

The scabbard of the Sengoku Bushō Shinken is truly a masterpiece; curved to the maximum, completely unique and unlike anything seen before. The impressive brass fittings on the sword are the cherry on top. Thanks to the perfectly fitted Seppa plate/s and Koiguchi, the sword truly snaps into and out of its Saya, leaving absolutely no gap between the parts. The high quality dark brown silk sageo is attached to the saya with a buffalo horn kurigata. The high-quality dark brown silk Sageo is secured to the Saya with a buffalo horn Kurigata. The black buffalo horn Kurigata adds a nice contrast to the lacquered light brown hardwood Saya. The natural knots in the hardwood give the sword a distinctive and luxurious look. The antique brass Semegane and the Sayajiri at the end of the Saya, characteristical for Tachi, complete the design.

As always, this Shinken sword is guaranteed BattleBlades quality and comes with an embroidered BattleBlades silk sword bag and a certificate with serial number.