Hanwei Tokugawa Katana
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27 1/8" Differentially hardened T10 tool steel blade with 13 1/4" handle based on the legendary Daimyo, Tokugawa Ieyasu. MSRP $1,039
One of the “great unifiers” and legends of feudal Japan, Tokugawa Ieyasu, was a master tactician as well as political strategist. Much can be said of Ieysau for his bold yet prudent quick reactions to seize opportunities, but his long game tactics proved most successful. After years of clever maneuvering and military battles, Ieyasu traded his five home provinces for eight in the Kanto province after conquering them with one of his top rivals Toyotomi Hideyoshi. This ingenious move isolated him from Hideyoshi’s rule and allowed for autonomy in becoming the second most powerful daimyo in Japan. This move spawned the Japanese proverb “Ieyasu won the Empire by retreating.”
After Hideyoshi’s death, Ieyasu became one of the regents in the Council of Five Elders that would rule on behalf of his young son, Hideyori. A year later, one of the oldest and most respected regents dies creating an opportunity for control. Ieyasu takes Osaka Castle, the residence of Hideyori, and infuriates the other regents. At the Battle of Sekigahara he found himself almost outnumbered two to one. But like his deceased friend and ally, Oda Nobunaga, Ieyasu made use of firearms and had some arquebuses smuggled in for the battle along with some added behind the scenes negotiating with some of the daimyo in the Western Army. Ending in complete and total victory, Ieyasu became shogun in March of 1603 which created the Tokugawa shogunate which lasted til 1868 which is referred to as the Edo period.
Hanwei has created a genuine piece of sword art with the Tokugawa Katana. The tsuba depicts the image of Tokugawa embossed with gold detailing and an etching of a tea house on the opposite side. The handle is wrapped in black cotton over white same. The 27.5” forged blade features a hi on both sides to make this a light and quick katana. The deep black lacquered saya completes the piece. The Tokugawa Katana represents the best of Hanwei craftsmanship and sword art which will satisfy the practitioner and the collector alike.
