Original Bamboo Koshirae -- Rail Steel Models

BOTH SOLD. First a little history. Back in 1999 someone ordered a number of our swords and paid via credit card. The card was authorized and we shipped the swords. However, a few days later the charges were charged back as the card was stolen. At the same time we were notified by police from out of state that someone had been arrested but they needed to keep the swords temporarily as evidence for the prosecution. Well, we called and called over a number of years. But they simply "lost" the swords somewhere in their evidence room.

Fast forward to the present. Here is it 12 years later and we receive a phone call saying "We found some swords in our evidence room -- do you want them back?" We said yes, of course, but weren't holding our breath as we knew they likely were not cared for while gone.

Much to our surprise almost all the swords were returned in very good condition. Many looked like they were right out of the box.

Two of the swords returned were Original Rail Steel Bamboo Koshirae. Each blade had only the slightest of cosmetic stains on the blade. Keith Larman of Summerchild Polishing neutralized the stains to make sure they didn't grow so the blades aren't absolutely perfect. However, they're perfectly good and usable.

One of the Bamboo swords has a 14" handle with a 28.5" blade measured from the notches on the blade to the end of the tip. The other has a longer 15" tsuka with a 29.5" blade measured the same way. Both are wrapped in black silk.

Please be sure to specify which sword you want when ordering. These have been inspected and cleaned up a bit. They survived quite well considering they spent 12 years sitting in a box gathering dust. Contact Bugei if you have any further questions.

Original Lion Dog Daisho

SOLD. First a little history. Back in 1999 someone ordered a number of our swords and paid via credit card. The card was authorized and we shipped the swords. However, a few days later the charges were charged back as the card was stolen. At the same time we were notified by police from out of state that someone had been arrested but they needed to keep the swords temporarily as evidence for the prosecution. Well, we called and called over a number of years. But they simply "lost" the swords somewhere in their evidence room.

Fast forward to the present. Here is it 12 years later and we receive a phone call saying "We found some swords in our evidence room -- do you want them back?" We said yes, of course, but weren't holding our breath as we knew they likely were not cared for while gone.

Much to our surprise almost all the swords were returned in very good condition. Many looked like they were right out of the box.

One set that was returned was an Original Shishi Daisho. Most of our customers are aware of our very high end Lion Dog Daisho that was updated for us by Keith Larman of Summerchild Polishing. The new set is a rather elaborate design with a katana and matching tanto along with very "high end" fittings and parts. Some might also remember our first Lion Dog Daisho, however. These were made with our original tough Manchurian Rail steel. This matching katana and wakizashi were fit with tsuba with nanako detailing all done by hand by a single craftsman at the Hanwei forge. These were so difficult to make that again we eventually discontinued the set. These were always very popular although always hard for us to get. So imagine our surprise to see a matched set returned to us in virtually brand new condition.

The set was sent to Keith Larman of Summerchild Polishing to inspect and ensure the swords were in good condition. The blades show a tiny bit of scuffing but are otherwise in virtually new condition. Both the wakizashi and katana are wrapped in black leather tsukaito.

Even the habaki (blade collars) have so-called "lion dogs" engraved upon them.

The saya of the original shishi set have inlaid wood shishi. These are quite unique and exclusive to the Bugei series.

These are truly collector's items.

The tsuka length of the katana is 14" with a significant blade length of 30" measured from the end of the habaki to the tip.

Phoenix Tachi

SOLD. First a little history. Back in 1999 someone ordered a number of our swords and paid via credit card. The card was authorized and we shipped the swords. However, a few days later the charges were charged back as the card was stolen. At the same time we were notified by police from out of state that someone had been arrested but they needed to keep the swords temporarily as evidence for the prosecution. Well, we called and called over a number of years. But they simply "lost" the swords somewhere in their evidence room.

Fast forward to the present. Here is it 12 years later and we receive a phone call saying "We found some swords in our evidence room -- do you want them back?" We said yes, of course, but weren't holding our breath as we knew they likely were not cared for while gone.

Much to our surprise almost all the swords were returned in very good condition. Many looked like they were right out of the box.

One of the swords returned was unusual to say the least -- a Phoenix Head Tachi. We discontinued this tachi many years ago due to the difficulties in creating the sword. The Phoenix Head Tachi is a historical heirloom of the 3rd Tokugawa Shogun. It is reproduced here in stunning detail. The rail steel blade is of the same high quality that you expect from Bugei Trading Company and like all of our blades is designed to cut. Fine workmanship is evidenced throughout the blade from the same wrapped tsuka to the elaborately finished saya with gold mons. The care and detail in the making and mounting of this blade makes a sword that is outstanding for display in your dojo, office, or home and yet may be used for tamishigiri. This is one of the most balanced blades for one handed use that we have ever handled. It comes alive in your hand as it is easily manipulated for cutting.

When the swords were returned to Bugei we sent them all to Keith Larman of Summerchild Polishing to have them inspected and repaired if necessary. Keith cleaned up the blades and made sure the mounts were still in good condition. He found a small chip in the finish near one of the semigane (the ornate metal parts on the saya). The chip is hidden by the intricately tied hanger ribbon, however. If you look on the detail page you will find a photo showing the area. The blade also has some scuffing in the surface of the steel, easily visible in the photographs on the detail page. These were probably caused by the sword being shipped back to us loose in the saya. Unforunately the police who packed the sword for shipment didn't know how to properly ship the sword.

Otherwise the sword is as good as new. It was truly gratifying to see one of these again virtually good as new 12 years later.

If we made one of these today it would cost considerably more than what we are charging for this sword. We're just happy to get it back and hope to find it a good home where it will be appreciated.