Katana Kannon Lotus Sanmai Blade Renge Koshirae 觀音蓮華

Clay Tempered Full Tang Shinken (真剣) | Kannon Lotus Katana: TangGu (湯谷) Sanmai Blade (三枚造) + TangGu (湯谷) Renge Koshirae (観音蓮華拵)

This katana, named Kannon Lotus, embodies serenity, compassion, and quiet strength — qualities traditionally associated with Kannon, the Bodhisattva of Mercy.
The blade is forged in Sanmai（三枚構造） construction, with a hardened steel core supported by softer outer layers to achieve both cutting power and resilience. Its surface reveals a refined mix of Masame-hada and Mokume-hada（柾目肌交杢目肌）, where straight grains interlace with flowing wood patterns born from orikaeshi-tanren folding. Along the edge runs a gentle Notare hamon（湾刃）, its soft, undulating waves formed through traditional clay tempering. The mokko-gata tsuba（木瓜鍔）, crafted from blackened white copper, features Kannon and a guardian shishi in raised relief on the omote, while the ura displays an elegant lotus carving — a sacred symbol of purity and enlightenment. The fuchi-kashira（縁頭）, also made from blackened white copper, take the shape of shishi（狮兽造形）, mirroring the divine protectors seen on the tsuba. Beneath the wrap lie blackened white-copper menuki shaped as warrior figures, echoing themes of protection and devotion. The habaki（鎺） is forged in smooth-finished brass, offering a warm contrast against the darker fittings. The tsuka（柄） is wrapped in black tsuka-ito over natural, lightly yellowed samegawa, creating a classical monochrome balance. The saya（鞘） is adorned in Shuro Raden lacquer（棕櫚螺鈿塗）, blending natural palm-fiber texture with shimmering raden inlays that glow subtly under shifting light. The result is an elegant interplay of earth, light, and sacred symbolism — a fitting reflection of Kannon’s quiet radiance.

TangGu (湯谷) Sanmai Blade

This blade is hand-forged (Tezukuri / 手作り) using our own refined steel in Sanmai-zukuri（三枚造）construction, with a hard edge forge-welded between two softer outer layers.

Blade Forging Details

• Blade Name: TangGu Traditionally Forged Sanmai Blade (三枚造)
• Forging Method: This blade is forged in the Sanmai-zukuri（三枚造）style, with a hard steel core forge-welded between two layers of softer outer steel. It is differentially hardened using clay tempering（覆土焼入れ）, producing a hardened edge and a softer spine. This process also creates a visible hamon（刃文）
• Materials: Steel refined in-house using traditional methods（伝統的手法による自家製鋼材）
• Purpose: Suitable for Kenjutsu and Tameshigiri (test cutting) practice, collection, and display. Unsharpened blades are available for Iaido upon request.

Blade Specifications

• Blade Length (Nagasa刃長): Approx 71 cm
• Tang Length (Nakago 茎長): Approx. 24 cm
• Width at Base (Motohaba 元幅): Approx. 32 mm
• Thickness at Base (Motokasane 元重): Approx. 6 mm
• Width at Tip (Sakihaba 先幅): Approx. 24 mm
• Thickness at Tip (Sakikasane先重): Approx. 4 mm
• Kissaki Length (Tip 切先長): Approx. 35 mm
• Mekugi-ana (Peg Hole 目釘穴): 1

Blade Characteristics

• Shape: Shinogi-zukuri (ridged blade 鎬造), Iori-mune (flat ridged spine 庵棟), Chū-kissaki (Medium-sized tip 中切先)
• Forging Pattern (Hada 鍛肌): The blade shows masame-hada（柾目肌）with long, straight grain lines. Variations in the grain include itame-hada（板目肌）and transitional textures, created through layered forging in the sanmai-zukuri（三枚構造）style.
• Temper Line (Hamon 刃文): The blade shows a Notare-style hamon（のたれ刃文）formed through clay tempering（覆土焼入れ / Fukutsuchi Yakiire）. 

Special Features and Workmanship

Hi (Groove) Engraving

• Type: Shinken Hi (真剣樋) with Marutome Tome (丸留め止め).
• Processing Range: Extends to the tip, fully polished inside the groove

Polishing Work

• TangGu Polishing Levels:
  • Highest-grade shaping polish 最上・成形研磨 
  • Superior rough polish 最上・下研ぎ 
  • Detailed final polish 最上・仕上げ研ぎ 

Fittings and Mountings

Blade Fittings

• Tsuba (Handguard 鍔): A mokko-gata tsuba（木瓜鍔） crafted from white copper（白銅） and finished in a traditional blackened patina（煮黒仕上げ / Nibu-iro）. The front side features a detailed relief carving of Kannon and a guardian shishi（觀音與狮兽）, while the reverse presents an elegant lotus motif（蓮華図）, symbolizing purity and compassion.
• Fuchi-Kashira (縁頭): Made from blackened white copper（煮黒白銅）, sculpted into shishi-inspired forms（狮兽造形）that echo the protective presence depicted on the tsuba.
• Menuki (目貫): A matched pair of blackened white-copper menuki, shaped as samurai figures（武士造形）.
• Habaki (鎺): A smooth-finished brass habaki（黄銅）, cleanly polished.
• Samegawa (Ray Skin 柄鮫): Hon-samegawa（本鮫皮 / genuine ray skin）with kofū shiage（古風仕上げ / antique finish).
• Handle Wrapping (柄巻): Wrapped in black tsuka-ito, tightly applied with hishigami（菱紙） to ensure crisp, symmetrical diamonds and a secure grip.
  

Saya and Accessories

• Saya (Scabbard 鞘): Traditional-style saya (拵風鞘), reinforced with water buffalo horn at the koiguchi (mouth), kojiri (end), and kurigata (cord knob).
• Saya Lacquer (鞘塗): The saya is finished in Shuro Raden lacquer（棕櫚螺鈿塗）, combining natural palm-fiber texture with iridescent raden inlays that shimmer subtly under shifting light.
• Sageo (Cord 下緒): Japanese-made sageo available in multiple colors

Measurements

• Blade Weight: Approx. 0.6 kg
• Sword Weight (without Saya): Approx. 0.95 kg
• Total Weight: Approx. 1.2 kg
• Overall Length: Approx. 102 mm