Katana Whispering Boughs Oroshigane Kobuse Blade Ume Shukuchō Koshirae 梅影

Folded Oroshigane Steel Shinken (真剣) | Whispering Boughs Katana: TangGu (湯谷) Oroshigane (卸し金) Kobuse Blade (甲伏造) + TangGu (湯谷) Ume Shukuchō  Koshirae (梅宿鳥拵)

This katana brings together the refinement of traditional craftsmanship and the structural integrity required for practical use. The blade is forged from in-house refined Oroshigane (卸し金) steel in Kobuse-zukuri (甲伏造) construction, featuring a tough outer jacket wrapped around a softer core—an approach shared with classical tamahagane swords to achieve both durability and resilience. Folding produces a mixed Mokume-hada and Masame-hada grain pattern (杢目肌・柾目肌交じり), while polishing reveals a lively Gonome-Midare hamon (互目乱刃文) formed through clay tempering (覆土焼入れ). The saya (鞘) is finished in Kanshitsu Black Ishime lacquer (乾漆黒石目塗), offering a subdued, stone-textured surface with strong traditional character. The koiguchi, kojiri, and kurigata are reinforced with water buffalo horn. The tsuka (柄) features a brown tsuka-ito tightly wrapped over polished black samegawa (黒鮫皮), with hishigami (菱紙) used throughout for enhanced tightness and clean diamond shaping. The menuki (目貫) are crafted from white copper, blackened (煮黒), and decorated with elegant floral motifs (花卉文). The fuchi and kashira (縁頭) are also white-copper fittings, finished in black and adorned with raised sakura designs (黒色櫻花浮雕). The tsuba (鍔) is an iron guard with an openwork plum tree and resting bird motif (Ume ni Shukuchō Sukashi / 梅樹宿鳥透鐔), completed in a deep traditional blackened patina (煮黒仕上げ). The habaki (鎺) is made of white copper and engraved in the classic Nekogaki cat-scratch pattern (猫掻).

TangGu (湯谷) Oroshigane Kobuse Blade

This blade is hand-forged (Tezukuri / 手作り) from in-house refined Oroshigane (卸し金) steel, smelted from satetsu (砂鉄) and repeatedly folded (orikaeshi-tanren / 折り返し鍛錬). Forged in Kobuse-zukuri (甲伏造) construction, this Oroshigane shares the same forging lineage as traditional Tamahagane (玉鋼), achieving comparable performance and structure while allowing the smith to refine the steel’s properties by hand.

Blade Forging Details

• Blade Name: TangGu Folded Oroshigane Kobuse Blade (甲伏造)
  

• Forging Method: This blade is forged in Kobuse-zukuri（甲伏造）style, with a hardened outer layer over a softer iron core. It is differentially hardened using clay tempering（覆土焼入れ）, producing a sharp edge, resilient spine, and a visible hamon（刃文).

• Materials: Oroshigane (卸し金) steel smelted from satetsu (砂鉄), 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 69 cm
• Tang Length (Nakago 茎長): Approx. 24 cm
• Width at Base (Motohaba 元幅): Approx. 31 mm
• Thickness at Base (Motokasane 元重): Approx. 6 mm
• Width at Tip (Sakihaba 先幅): Approx. 22 mm
• Thickness at Tip (Sakikasane先重): Approx. 4 mm
• Kissaki Length (Tip 切先長): Approx. 37 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): Mokume-hada mixed with Masame-hada（杢目肌・柾目肌交じり）— a composite pattern showing wood-grain swirls with straight grain elements, created through repeated folding and layering.
• Temper Line (Hamon 刃文): Gonome-Midare (互目乱刃) — a flowing, irregular temper line characterized by alternating rounded peaks, created through traditional clay tempering (覆土焼入れ).

Special Features and Workmanship

Hi (Groove) Engraving

• Type: Hi-Nashi (樋なし)
• Processing Range: None (No bohi) – Solid blade for added weight and strength

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): An iron tsuba with an openwork plum tree and resting bird motif (Ume ni Shukuchō Sukashi / 梅樹宿鳥透鐔), finished in a deep blackened patina (煮黒仕上げ).
• Fuchi-Kashira (縁頭): White-copper fittings finished in black, adorned with raised sakura motifs (黒色櫻花浮雕).
• Menuki (目貫): White-copper menuki featuring delicate floral designs (花卉文).
• Habaki (鎺): A white-copper habaki engraved in the traditional Nekogaki (Cat-scratch / 猫掻) pattern.
• Samegawa (Ray Skin 柄鮫): Genuine ray skin in a polished black finish.
• Handle Wrapping (柄巻): Brown cotton (or rayon) tsuka-ito, tightly wrapped over hishigami for clean, uniform diamonds.

Saya and Accessories

• Saya (Scabbard 鞘): Traditional-style design reinforced with water buffalo horn at the koiguchi (mouth), kojiri (end), and kurigata (cord knob).
• Saya Lacquer (鞘塗): Finished in Kanshitsu Black Ishime lacquer (乾漆黒石目塗), featuring a textured, stone-like surface that reflects a refined, subdued traditional aesthetic.
• Sageo (Cord 下緒): Japanese-made sageo available in multiple colors

Measurements

• Blade Weight: Approx. 0.65 kg
• Sword Weight (without Saya): Approx. 1.0 kg
• Total Weight: Approx. 1.35 kg
• Overall Length: Approx. 100 mm