My Katana

[Altreac]

This is my Katana.

I've had it for over two decades. Quietly.

I've practiced Martial Arts, combat martial arts, not competition, for almost 25 years now, I'm 41 currently.
Was a Canadian provincial swimmer, AAA baseball, and ex-Army.

I Kickbox, do Kung-Fu and a combat system called Bando. It's Burmese. (Myanmar... My best friends are Burmese and Thai)

I am capable of basic Bushido.
I'm better with the Chinese Gim, but I can dual wield either katana or gim. I'm not amazing, but good enough most people that know me say it's better to be my friend than enemy.

I'm no threat, I'll always run first.

I've not really showed my sword off very much. I got it in the early days of ebay before a lot of regulations changed.

My Burmese buddy and I got a lot off a Chinese war museum that went under that had a Japanese World War 2 exhibit. We got a lot of 12, and only 2 were fake.

You can see this one is authentic.

I've taken care of it all these years and I really feel if all else fails for me in the world, I could go to Japan with this and go live and train and hold a chance I wouldn't be turned away.

I truly get what it means to hold a sword bearing the Royal Chrysanthemum. It's not fake.

I was a kid when we got it. But I honestly think I wouldn't disrespect myself if required to return it. I hope I never have to.

I was separated from it for a while due to life, and it did rust a bit. But this is where I got it back to so far. The varnish is disintegrating, nothing to be done about that. But the wood and brass are in solid condition and I'll get the steel back to where I want it.
I did get trained formally as a blacksmith for my Vocational Rehabilitation when getting my medical release from the Army.

It really is an amazing piece. It's an honour to own.

Hope you enjoy this one.

 

[Alum Ladd]

Just a bit of fun

Yes, I know the difference between a katana and a scimitar, but it lightens the thread maybe.

I prefer not to think about the past history of that Imperial Army weapon considering it's provenance.

A magnificent yet somehow sinister piece of craftsmanship, if one is aware of history as I'm sure you are.

 

[Legion]

Have you ever removed the tsuka (handle) to see what is written on the tang of the blade?

 

[Altreac]

Have you ever removed the tsuka (handle) to see what is written on the tang of the blade?

I haven't had the balls to try yet honestly.

When I was doing my blacksmithing apprenticeship I showed it to my mentor who had trained in Japan for a while.

There's no question of its authenticity. But I don't know who made it.

Maybe some day I will. I want to.

 

[Altreac]

Just a bit of fun

Yes, I know the difference between a katana and a scimitar, but it lightens the thread maybe.

I prefer not to think about the past history of that Imperial Army weapon considering it's provenance.

A magnificent yet somehow sinister piece of craftsmanship, if one is aware of history as I'm sure you are.

I actually have an antique Burmese warlord's scimitar. You wanna talk about an evil weapon...

It's in much rougher shape, the wood in its handle and sheath have disintegrated. So it's in pieces. But the blade is inscribed and the tin for the handle and sheath are hand done. It's old. I'll restore it eventually.

I hear ya on the history. This blade would most likely have been tested to know how many bodies it cut.

It's definitely seen combat. There's a nick along the spine that is in just the right spot for a vertical parry.

The balance is phenomenal. It really sings.

The accoutrements on the sheath are pretty loose from the varnish disintegrating, so maybe some day I'll refinish it I think.

You can really see the folding. And given the way it rusts if unattended, is definitely carbon steel.

I'm pretty sure the handle under the wrap is snake skin.

 

[Altreac]

The Burmese Scimitar.

This one was given to me by it's owners nephew. In hopes it may be used by more responsible hands.

It's owner is no longer. His brother was certainly not a monster. And his brother's son is my best friend.

This one was properly given to me, so it's ownership can't be questioned. Which is nice.

But it is truly an evil piece of history.

I hope it never goes back to its former life. Not on my time.

 

[Legion]

I haven't had the balls to try yet honestly.

When I was doing my blacksmithing apprenticeship I showed it to my mentor who had trained in Japan for a while.

There's no question of its authenticity. But I don't know who made it.

Maybe some day I will. I want to.

It's pretty easy. Japanese swords are designed to be quickly and easily disassembled.

 

[Altreac]

It's pretty easy. Japanese swords are designed to be quickly and easily disassembled.

I've seen it done. The Smith I trained under finished up a commission for one while I was his apprentice. He had even earned his iconograph in Japan.

Still makes me nervous.

The skin on the handle may not enjoy having the pin popped out.

I'm certainly interested. No question there.

So far I've been pretty happy just using it honestly.

 

[Jim in NZ]

An interesting sword with a great back story. It will be far more I interesting once you have removed the tsuka though. That is where all the history is!