Munetoshi Matsu Red
Jul 13, 2010 3:44:16 GMT
Post by Deleted on Jul 13, 2010 3:44:16 GMT
I am not an experienced reviewer, so please don't take offense if I blunder. What I didn't know I took from the SwordNarmory website and the internet.
Today I received my first "brand new" sword.
I chose the Munetoshi Matsu.
I read that The Matsu (pine tree) been an evergreen, represents long life in Japanese culture.
It also pretty closely fits me, as I was born and raised in the Northern part of the Quebec province.
The forest around there is called Taiga. (Yes, like the dual land in magic...) but this really means that the trees are mostly conifers. I especially liked tall gray pines.
Apparently I am not the only one, as this was also a popular tree among the Samurai class. They liked its masculine appearance and affiliation with long life.
It came pretty well packaged. In a big box, containing a slimmer box which contained the the nylon carrying bag. Which in turn, contained the cloth bag...
...And then The Sword:
The Sword came with a cloth sword bag and a nice nylon carrying bag. The nylon bag has a shoulder strap and a velcro pocket.
The Matsu seem to be a light, and fast cutter. The blade of the Katana has been constructed from T10 carbon steel with a bo-hi.
It is recommended for beginning to intermediate practitioners.
I'll show you what I can, I took like 50 pictures, but alas, most of them are badly focused or overexposed cuz of the bright reflection of the flash.
So here's the tsuka:
We can barely see, but the Tsuba is blackened steel in a cut out sukashi design of a pine tree. it is smooth and light. Ill try to redo pictures of the tsuba later.
The Tsuka has 2 bamboo mekugi. The Ito is black cotton over white Samegawa. The same is correct, I dont see any wood, nor lines that would show if it was parts. There's even a couple nodules nearly as big as the meguki.
The Fuchigashira are nice and simple, made of black alloy.
The Ito is tight and everything fits nicely together.
The Sageo is black chemical fiber. It has a nice luster and I have to say I really like the way it is knotted.
A slight pressure of the thumb cracks it open and it is just tight enough when I slide it back in.
This blade features a very distinct authentic hamon running all the way through the Kissake, and has a well defined yokote.
The habaki fits nicely.
The hamon has been authentically created and features a Gunome design with a prominent Nioi line.
We can see a little bit the hamon, but my pictures really do not do it justice.
The Kissaki is a Chu-Kissaki design
Here we can see the yokote
Midare-komi turn back.
Bull horn Koiguchi, sadly my picture is lacking, but I see no cracks
Kojiri
The Saya features a glossy burgundy lacquered finish with golden highlights. I chose this saya over the black one, and I am very please with it. It is really hard to show it in pictures, because the flash makes it appears vivid red. But in reality it is a beautiful deep burgundy red.
And to finish, 2 pictures of the Kashirae. Like I said before, nice and plain.
Spec’s
Overall 41"
Blade 28,5"
Tsuka 10,5"
1095 steel
Weight 1,25 KG
Aesthetically I am very pleased of my Matsu. It already fills my desk with a nice presence.
But since I haven't tried it yet, I can't comment on how it handles and cut. But I will receive my moyoushi shirt soon...
Today I received my first "brand new" sword.
I chose the Munetoshi Matsu.
I read that The Matsu (pine tree) been an evergreen, represents long life in Japanese culture.
It also pretty closely fits me, as I was born and raised in the Northern part of the Quebec province.
The forest around there is called Taiga. (Yes, like the dual land in magic...) but this really means that the trees are mostly conifers. I especially liked tall gray pines.
Apparently I am not the only one, as this was also a popular tree among the Samurai class. They liked its masculine appearance and affiliation with long life.
It came pretty well packaged. In a big box, containing a slimmer box which contained the the nylon carrying bag. Which in turn, contained the cloth bag...
...And then The Sword:
The Sword came with a cloth sword bag and a nice nylon carrying bag. The nylon bag has a shoulder strap and a velcro pocket.
The Matsu seem to be a light, and fast cutter. The blade of the Katana has been constructed from T10 carbon steel with a bo-hi.
It is recommended for beginning to intermediate practitioners.
I'll show you what I can, I took like 50 pictures, but alas, most of them are badly focused or overexposed cuz of the bright reflection of the flash.
So here's the tsuka:
We can barely see, but the Tsuba is blackened steel in a cut out sukashi design of a pine tree. it is smooth and light. Ill try to redo pictures of the tsuba later.
The Tsuka has 2 bamboo mekugi. The Ito is black cotton over white Samegawa. The same is correct, I dont see any wood, nor lines that would show if it was parts. There's even a couple nodules nearly as big as the meguki.
The Fuchigashira are nice and simple, made of black alloy.
The Ito is tight and everything fits nicely together.
The Sageo is black chemical fiber. It has a nice luster and I have to say I really like the way it is knotted.
A slight pressure of the thumb cracks it open and it is just tight enough when I slide it back in.
This blade features a very distinct authentic hamon running all the way through the Kissake, and has a well defined yokote.
The habaki fits nicely.
The hamon has been authentically created and features a Gunome design with a prominent Nioi line.
We can see a little bit the hamon, but my pictures really do not do it justice.
The Kissaki is a Chu-Kissaki design
Here we can see the yokote
Midare-komi turn back.
Bull horn Koiguchi, sadly my picture is lacking, but I see no cracks
Kojiri
The Saya features a glossy burgundy lacquered finish with golden highlights. I chose this saya over the black one, and I am very please with it. It is really hard to show it in pictures, because the flash makes it appears vivid red. But in reality it is a beautiful deep burgundy red.
And to finish, 2 pictures of the Kashirae. Like I said before, nice and plain.
Spec’s
Overall 41"
Blade 28,5"
Tsuka 10,5"
1095 steel
Weight 1,25 KG
Aesthetically I am very pleased of my Matsu. It already fills my desk with a nice presence.
But since I haven't tried it yet, I can't comment on how it handles and cut. But I will receive my moyoushi shirt soon...