Nishijin/Tozando Higo Ishime Cutting Sword
Apr 18, 2011 20:52:36 GMT
Post by Student of Sword on Apr 18, 2011 20:52:36 GMT
Introduction
I have always been curious about Tozando/Nishijin swords. They are well known for their zinc-alluminum iaito. And I am always curious in the quality of their shinken sword. Not the blade itself, since I realize that it is probably made in China, but the whole package put together. A sword is afterall more than a sum of its parts.
Nishijin is a subsidary of Tozando. And ever since Tozando established their own shinken line (supposedly made in Germany), Nishijin are selling the remaining shinken in the clearance section. There are a few left at Nishijin for $658.67 (¥56,000.00). Original price was $940.96 ( ¥80,000.00). Price is based on Japanese Yen.
The blade is advertized as being made from T-10 steel. Have no idea if it is Japanese T-10 steel or Chinese T-10 steel. I suspect that it is Chinese T-10 steel.
What attract me to this sword first is its simple no nonsense decoration. Link to Vendor Site: www.japanesesword.net/HIGO_ISHIM ... 002-16.htm
Historical overview
This is a typical shinogi zukuri profile that began during the Warring Period until modern time. No need or reharsh the history of katana.
Full Disclosure
No conflict of interest here. No special relationship to Tozando/Nishijin. Did not receive special deal.
Initial Impressions
The blade is extremely well packaged with bubble wrap. No silly certificate or box. Just the sword in the sword bag inside heavy bubble wrap. The most impressive is the additional measures Nishijin took to ensure the safe arrival of the blade. There is a leather divide that is insert between the saya and the tsuba. The blade is also wrap in plastic inside the saya.
After removing the leather divide and inserting the blade back in the saya. One can see that the koiguchi, the seppa, and the fuchi are all flushed. They are supposed to be flushed. But in the vast majority of production katana they are not.
Statistics
Give some hard data on the sword's specifications:
Blade/Nagasa Length: 2.41 shaku (28.75 inches)
Handle/Tsuka Length: 9 sun (10.74 inches)
Overall Length: TBD
Guard/Tsuba Width: TBD
POB (Point of Balance): approximately 6 inches from tsuba.
COP (Center of Percussion): TBD
Weight: 1125 gram (2.5 lbs)
Components
I would like to apologize for not taking it apart. I am at my folks' house right now and don't have the right tools with me. I mailed my iaito (along with the tools) to me. I will show a better pictures of disassembled katana once my tool arrive.
The Blade/Nagasa
Typical shinogi zukuki. 1.25 inches wide at habaki to 1 inches at yokote. There is a distinct distal taper, looking at the spine (mune) of the blade. I don't have my caliper with me so I cannot give measurement on thickness. However, it looks rather average, I would say 7mm at the habaki and 5mm at yokote (a guess only). Niku is best describe as light-medium. I put a piece of paper on the edge and there is a slight gap between the paper and the shinogi-ji. There is however no fumbari.
I was surprised and disappointed to find that the yokote is counterpolished. The hamon is rather bland and boring.
I was most impressed with the habaki. From the look of the habaki, it is tailored made for this blade. There is not a gap to be seen. It is not one of those one-size-fit-all habaki that common in production swods. Prior to this purchase, Only two production katana company tailor-fit their habaki, Citadel and MAS.
The Handle/Tsuka
The tsuka is what one would expect from a Japanese iaito, curved and ergonomic. The ito is brown Japanese cotton. Let me say that not all cotton ito are created equal. There is no need to rewrap the ito with silk if you have Japanese cotton ito. I am very happy with the cotton ito on this katana. The black lacquered same is average, nothing exceptional - no emperor node to be seen. Menuki is brass/bronze dragonfly.
The Guard/Tsuba
Tsuba is plain higo type, very simple. It has 8 lobes and two opening in sukashi type in steel, my favorite material.
The Pommel/Fuchi-Kashira
Fuchi/kashira is also simple black steel dome type but is textured (hence the name ishime).
The Scabbard/Saya
Saya is ishime (texture) finish, brown and black. The saya lacquer is not common among production shinken but more common on Japanese zinc iaito. It is brown but with black spots throughout the blade. But unlike other texture saya. The brown lacquered is actually smooth, but the black lacquered is texture on top of the smooth brown lacquer.
I especially like the placement of the kurigata. It is very close to mouth of the saya, just enough to fit my hand. Those with larger hand may find this problematic. For it, it faciliates maximum sayabiki allowing me to pull the saya as far back as possible during noto or draw-cut.
The shape of the saya is correct, not too fat. The blade rattle a bit in the saya, less so than my Hanwei Tea Culture but it is there. The whole katana can be held upside down, shake, and the blade will not fall out.
Handling Characteristics
Due to its distal tapper, it is quite balanced for a no-hi blade. I was actually surprised when I measured the POB. I was expecting a POB to be 5.5 inches or less instead of 6 inches. It balances is similar to my Bamboo Mat.
Test Cutting
Cut 1 inches bamboo that is 8 days old from harvesting. Clean cut. No scratch to the blade and it was effordless.
Conclusions
For the current clearance price, I think the blade is a good deal. I am less sure whether it is a good deal with the original price. The original price would be justified only if they fix/improve the following, geometric yokote and perfect fit saya (and maybe fumbari).
Pros
- The whole sword is correctly assemble (with exception of slight rattle in saya).
- Habaki is tailored made for the blade.
- High quality but simple fittings.
- Unique two tones, two textures saya
Cons
- slight rattle in the saya.
- cosmetic yokote.
- bland hamon for some.
The Bottom Line
The fact that Nishijin/Tozando sell high quality iaito show in this sword. A person who spend sometime with a zinc-alluminum iaito will find this katana familar and comforting, like an old friend. While it is heavier than most zinc alloy iaito. Many other features are what one would expect in a good quality zinc alluminum iaito.
The katana is designed with functionality in mind and it is very functional. I believe that a person who study JSA will appreciate this katana. It was designed especially with Iaidoka in mind. The tsuka is corrected in shape. The texture saya faciliate gripping and leave no finger print. The kurigata faciliate maximum sayabiki. The simple fitting is easier on the hand during long training session. This is definitely a training katana, not a display katana.
At the clearance price, I would definitely recommend this katana. Even at the original price, I would still get it (due to its functionality), but it would not be a good deal.
I have always been curious about Tozando/Nishijin swords. They are well known for their zinc-alluminum iaito. And I am always curious in the quality of their shinken sword. Not the blade itself, since I realize that it is probably made in China, but the whole package put together. A sword is afterall more than a sum of its parts.
Nishijin is a subsidary of Tozando. And ever since Tozando established their own shinken line (supposedly made in Germany), Nishijin are selling the remaining shinken in the clearance section. There are a few left at Nishijin for $658.67 (¥56,000.00). Original price was $940.96 ( ¥80,000.00). Price is based on Japanese Yen.
The blade is advertized as being made from T-10 steel. Have no idea if it is Japanese T-10 steel or Chinese T-10 steel. I suspect that it is Chinese T-10 steel.
What attract me to this sword first is its simple no nonsense decoration. Link to Vendor Site: www.japanesesword.net/HIGO_ISHIM ... 002-16.htm
Historical overview
This is a typical shinogi zukuri profile that began during the Warring Period until modern time. No need or reharsh the history of katana.
Full Disclosure
No conflict of interest here. No special relationship to Tozando/Nishijin. Did not receive special deal.
Initial Impressions
The blade is extremely well packaged with bubble wrap. No silly certificate or box. Just the sword in the sword bag inside heavy bubble wrap. The most impressive is the additional measures Nishijin took to ensure the safe arrival of the blade. There is a leather divide that is insert between the saya and the tsuba. The blade is also wrap in plastic inside the saya.
After removing the leather divide and inserting the blade back in the saya. One can see that the koiguchi, the seppa, and the fuchi are all flushed. They are supposed to be flushed. But in the vast majority of production katana they are not.
Statistics
Give some hard data on the sword's specifications:
Blade/Nagasa Length: 2.41 shaku (28.75 inches)
Handle/Tsuka Length: 9 sun (10.74 inches)
Overall Length: TBD
Guard/Tsuba Width: TBD
POB (Point of Balance): approximately 6 inches from tsuba.
COP (Center of Percussion): TBD
Weight: 1125 gram (2.5 lbs)
Components
I would like to apologize for not taking it apart. I am at my folks' house right now and don't have the right tools with me. I mailed my iaito (along with the tools) to me. I will show a better pictures of disassembled katana once my tool arrive.
The Blade/Nagasa
Typical shinogi zukuki. 1.25 inches wide at habaki to 1 inches at yokote. There is a distinct distal taper, looking at the spine (mune) of the blade. I don't have my caliper with me so I cannot give measurement on thickness. However, it looks rather average, I would say 7mm at the habaki and 5mm at yokote (a guess only). Niku is best describe as light-medium. I put a piece of paper on the edge and there is a slight gap between the paper and the shinogi-ji. There is however no fumbari.
I was surprised and disappointed to find that the yokote is counterpolished. The hamon is rather bland and boring.
I was most impressed with the habaki. From the look of the habaki, it is tailored made for this blade. There is not a gap to be seen. It is not one of those one-size-fit-all habaki that common in production swods. Prior to this purchase, Only two production katana company tailor-fit their habaki, Citadel and MAS.
The Handle/Tsuka
The tsuka is what one would expect from a Japanese iaito, curved and ergonomic. The ito is brown Japanese cotton. Let me say that not all cotton ito are created equal. There is no need to rewrap the ito with silk if you have Japanese cotton ito. I am very happy with the cotton ito on this katana. The black lacquered same is average, nothing exceptional - no emperor node to be seen. Menuki is brass/bronze dragonfly.
The Guard/Tsuba
Tsuba is plain higo type, very simple. It has 8 lobes and two opening in sukashi type in steel, my favorite material.
The Pommel/Fuchi-Kashira
Fuchi/kashira is also simple black steel dome type but is textured (hence the name ishime).
The Scabbard/Saya
Saya is ishime (texture) finish, brown and black. The saya lacquer is not common among production shinken but more common on Japanese zinc iaito. It is brown but with black spots throughout the blade. But unlike other texture saya. The brown lacquered is actually smooth, but the black lacquered is texture on top of the smooth brown lacquer.
I especially like the placement of the kurigata. It is very close to mouth of the saya, just enough to fit my hand. Those with larger hand may find this problematic. For it, it faciliates maximum sayabiki allowing me to pull the saya as far back as possible during noto or draw-cut.
The shape of the saya is correct, not too fat. The blade rattle a bit in the saya, less so than my Hanwei Tea Culture but it is there. The whole katana can be held upside down, shake, and the blade will not fall out.
Handling Characteristics
Due to its distal tapper, it is quite balanced for a no-hi blade. I was actually surprised when I measured the POB. I was expecting a POB to be 5.5 inches or less instead of 6 inches. It balances is similar to my Bamboo Mat.
Test Cutting
Cut 1 inches bamboo that is 8 days old from harvesting. Clean cut. No scratch to the blade and it was effordless.
Conclusions
For the current clearance price, I think the blade is a good deal. I am less sure whether it is a good deal with the original price. The original price would be justified only if they fix/improve the following, geometric yokote and perfect fit saya (and maybe fumbari).
Pros
- The whole sword is correctly assemble (with exception of slight rattle in saya).
- Habaki is tailored made for the blade.
- High quality but simple fittings.
- Unique two tones, two textures saya
Cons
- slight rattle in the saya.
- cosmetic yokote.
- bland hamon for some.
The Bottom Line
The fact that Nishijin/Tozando sell high quality iaito show in this sword. A person who spend sometime with a zinc-alluminum iaito will find this katana familar and comforting, like an old friend. While it is heavier than most zinc alloy iaito. Many other features are what one would expect in a good quality zinc alluminum iaito.
The katana is designed with functionality in mind and it is very functional. I believe that a person who study JSA will appreciate this katana. It was designed especially with Iaidoka in mind. The tsuka is corrected in shape. The texture saya faciliate gripping and leave no finger print. The kurigata faciliate maximum sayabiki. The simple fitting is easier on the hand during long training session. This is definitely a training katana, not a display katana.
At the clearance price, I would definitely recommend this katana. Even at the original price, I would still get it (due to its functionality), but it would not be a good deal.