Yokaze Katana

Yokaze translates to “night wind”. This katana is the twin of our Kage Katana. They have the same style of fittings, but the Kage Katana has an all black blade and fittings, the Yokaze Katana is the opposite. The fittings of the Yokaze Katana are painted in matte silver/light gray, like the color of the moon. We chose this color for the Yokaze Katana so there will be a contrast from the shiny blade.

The tsuba is made of iron with a sukashi (open work) design of a full moon with the bottom half covered by clouds. The menuki on one side of the tsuka features a crescent moon with clouds blown by the wind; on the other side, the menuki is a full moon with clouds blown by the wind.

SPECIFICATIONS
• Blade Material: 2nd Gen 1045 carbon steel (mono-steel)
• Edge: Fully-sharpened
• Treatment: Hand Forged, Through Hardened, Heat Treated & Tempered, Water Quenched
• Blade Length: 27.5 inches
• Tsuka: 11 inches wood
• Overall length w/o saya: 40 inches
• Saya: 29.5 inches wood, glossy black lacquered finish
• Tsuba: Iron
• Fuchi / Kashira: Zinc alloy
• Habaki / Seppa / Menuki: Brass
• Tsukaito / Sageo: Black synthetic silk
• Mekugi: 2 bamboo pegs
• Samegawa: Real ray skin panels
• Nakago: Full tang
• Hamon: Wirebrushed midare (irregular) pattern

NOTES
• Specs may vary slightly from sword to sword
• Can be disassembled
• Includes cloth bag
• Packaging: carton box

The moon is an object of legends, poetry and other art forms in many countries and cultures around the world. In China and other Asian countries, people celebrate the Lunar New Year which coincides with the winter new moon at the end of the full lunar cycle, otherwise known as the winter solstice.

Japan is famously called “The Land of the Rising Sun”, but this island nation has a long association with the moon, it became an important part of their culture and beliefs. Religion in Japan is a mixture of traditional Shinto as well as Zen Buddhism — both having a strong appreciation for the beauty of earthly creations. Shinto centers on the spirit of nature while Zen Buddhism concentrates on selflessness and enlightenment.

The Japanese mood god is called Tsukuyomi in Shinto and the sun goddess is Amaterasu. The moon god’s sister takes the stage most of the time, but at night, Tsukuyomi embodies all the positive things of the dark sky — spirituality, dreams and energy balance. In Zen Buddhism, the moon symbolizes enlightenment.

The video below shows the difference in flexibility between the 1st Generation and 2nd Generation. The 2nd Gen is more flexible like a 1060 blade.

More subtle wire brushed hamon which looks like a real hamon.