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Bugei with any questions you may have about our products. bugei@bugei.com
Or give
us a call toll free at 1-800-437-0125 |
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At
Bugei our interest is in the swords of the ancient Samurai.
The shapes, lengths, nakago, tsuka, etc. reflect an era when
swords were still used for combat. Our swords are used by
more modern sword styles and our Wave koshirae blades can
be custom designed to fit more modern styles that are currently
practiced in Japan, however this is not our prime directive.
Most of the modern swords produced in Japan would not be practical
for the uses that the Samurai required of their blades. The
majority of currently produced blades are too thin and flat
ground to stand up to the rigors of actual battle use. Some
modern styles for instance do not want to see things like
tameshigiri become a more practical training for combative
type of cutting and a more realistic test of blade performance.
All cultures tend to rewrite history and the Japanese are
no exception. Modern Japan and the vast majority of modern
Japanese martial arts, with some exceptions, do not reflect
combat intent or function and only partially reflect the military
arts of the Samurai. With this in mind we are drawn to the
styles of blade, military arts, bushido (warrior code) that
reflect the Samurai when they were masters of their own fate.
The Edo period was the beginning of the end for Samurai martial
culture, the Meiji restoration put nails in the coffin, and
World War Two with a few notable exceptions put the coffin
in the ground. In ancient Japan the size, shape, and styles
of blades had a wonderful diversity that is missing in the
present. We are interested in reproducing some of this swords
for both the collector as well as the practitioner. |
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desire is to produce, at the best possible prices, swords
that reflect those ancient traditions that fire our imagination
with the skill and courage of the Samurai in battle. Our most
recent introduction is a shobu-zukuri sword of the type that
was used to great effect by the Samurai when battling the
Mongol invasions during the 14th century. Modern Japan may
value form more than function however for their distant ancestors
form had to follow function, it was a question of survival
and warriors are nothing if not pragmatic. Our long nakago
and two mekugi provide both strength and safety. Our choice
of tsuka lengths from 9" to 16" provide for styles both ancient
and modern. Our exclusive use of the superior and difficult
to come by Swedish Powdered Steel assures you our customer
that your sword is made from the very best material available.
Some of the best sword smiths in Japan use this steel on blades
costing in excess of ten thousand dollars. Paul Chen, because
of his knowledge and integrity, is one of the few to have
access to this steel. We work closely with this master bladesmith
in designing and producing or blades. Mr. Chen is a perfectionist
who is never satisfied with what he has accomplished and is
always looking for ways to improve his swords. He fits in
perfectly with our philosophy. Read the excellent article
on blade shape by Keith Larman on the articles page of our
website and you will know why we build blades the way we do.
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Rockwell
C hardness testing results: Swedish Powdered Steel Katana
Ha (edge) 62-60
Habuchi
45-42
Ji
to Mune 35-32
Pictured are old sepia photographs of 19th century Samurai,
notice the two swords and the length of the tsuka.
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