Making Japanese Sword at Wordsmith Workshop

Main material “Tamahagane” is repeatedly hammered with a big Tsuchi (hammer) and is stretched with mixture of hard and soft iron.
When swordsman makes a sign, you hammer the material. This is called as “Muko-zuchi”.  The word “Muko-zuchi” describes the method by which swordsman and his helper alternately strike the body of the blade with a Tsuchi, and this has become the root of the word ‘Aizuchi wo utsu (chiming in). To achieve perfect “Muko-zuchi”, long-term training is required to be able to make a strong and light strike depending on the condition of steel.

The stretched iron is shaped into a sword by hand. Japanese sword is consist of three parts; ”Mune” (opposit side of blade), “Shinogi-suji” (The top of a part stretched sideways near “Mune”.), and “Hasaki” (the edge of the blade). Swrodsmith makes this shape without any tools like rulers. In addition, swordsmith images finished product and makes warpage in advance because the sword becomes warped when being quenched.

Swordsmith makes their own “Yakiba-tsuchi” soil mixture (soil used for quenching) which are applied to swords as preparation for “Yaki-ire” (quenching) to rapidly cool the heated blade with water or other liquid.
Main material of Yakiba-tsuchi soil (durabul and sticky clay) which is mixed with charcoal, polishing powder, and water.
The ratio of materials of “Yakiba-tsuchi” varies depending on the condition of quenching or target quality.

The whole sword is heated to 750-800℃ and rapidly cooled to harden materials and increase strength.
The thin part of clay applied with changes to hard steel, on the other hand, the thick part of clay does not harden rapidly because
the part is cooled slowly. The hardness and softness boundary of steel will be “Hamon” (temper pattern of a sword blade).
Reheat with appropriate temperature (about 190°C), remove stress occured by “Yakiire” (quenching), and recover toughness.

Several types of grinding stones are used to improve sharpness of blade and to emphasize its beauty.

Swordsman’s name is engraved in the center of the handle (called as “NAKAGO”) and Japanese sword is completed.
In the experience, your desired characters can be written in the blade area.

You make your own original Japanese sword (Approx. 20cm in length) under coaching of swordsman for three days at workshop.
You also can learn about history of Japanese swords while you are taking classes.
In this course, you experience whole processes of making Japanese swords.
The finished products will be delivered by mail.
*Minimum number of participants : 1

You make your own original Japanese style sword (Approx. 12cm in length) and leater case
under coaching of swordsman for one day at workshop.
You also can learn about history of Japanese swords while you are taking classes.
In this course, you experience forging, annealing, quenching, tempering, sharpening, and engraving.
If you purchase ready-made leather case, the price will be ￥55,000 for half a day.
*Minimum number of participants : 1

You make your own original small sword (Approx. 8 cm in length)
under coaching of swordsman for half a day at workshop.
You also can learn about history of Japanese swords while you are taking classes.
In this course, you experience forging, quenching, tempering, sharpening, and engraving.
*Minimum number of participants : 1