Sword Scabbard

Bushido Katana Sword

Two samurais come face to face ready with their hands on the hilt of their Bushido katana sword. Both were braced, poised and ready to split the other with an immediate downward or up from underneath stroke, to settle the feud quickly, once and for all. As important as the movement of the blade can be, the blood spray spuirting from a severed body wound proclaim the winner; the only one who walked away.

The Bushido code of loyalty, honor and acceptance of death is followed not only by the Samurai but is also ingrained into the making of the Bushido Katana sword. This was the way of the ultimate Japanese warrior. His swordsmanship was skilled and precise just like his blade as required by a striked doctrine which takes in both religions of Buddhism and Shinto. It spoke with a clear voice and with a wisdom and serenity much admired by the people of Japan then and now. Ultimately it was the epitome of self-discipline and grace.

The act of sepukku or self sacrifice represented the sense of pride and honor that bounded the warriors to their dedication to the Samurai way of life. So was the efficient and cool defense by the Bushido warrior as he registered the same detached but violent response to any who dared challenge him. With a Bushido katana sword in hand and Bushido principles to uphold, the Samurai presented a formidable threat.

Whether it is used as a weapon or found on a display stand the Bushido katana swords are still crafted with the same respect as they were forged 200 hundred years ago for the Samurai. The high quality edges of the katana were clay tempered and hand forged from methods used centuries ago. The Bushido sword is 23 inches long and has a curved single edged blade which is fitted to a curved sheath and is considered to be the ultimate samurai sword. The tsuka handle is roughly one third of the total length and is fairly long as its meant to be held by both hands, normally cushioned with decorated animal skin to ensure grip and control.

There is a visible temper line or hamon in many of the swords which features a grain pattern in the steel called the hada. The hilt or guard is minimal and can be round or square. As the blade swings through the air towards it target it is plain to see the aerodynamics is not affected by the swords size. Many of the blades have a recess known as a bloodgroove which extends right along the length of the blade. Its purpose doesn’t need justification. The scabbard or saya is often coated in wood then polished with lacquer and decorated with floral or other natural patterns. Like such revered objects intended to be worshiped or admired it may be accompanied by a display stand and a kit for ritually cleaning the blade before it returns home to its scabbard and rack.

Labeled battle-ready and considered to be flawless many Bushido katano swords today are tools of a warrior or an artist. Such craftsmanship hearkens back to a time when quality and philosophy, religion and violence were forged together in a brilliant flash of serious steel.

How to Make a Saya (Japanese Sword Scabbard) with Walter Sorrells