Samurai Sword Tamahagane - SOLD 1lb 3.9oz











Samurai Sword Tamahagane - SOLD 1lb 3.9oz












































This is a 1lb 3.9oz chunk of historical tamahagane, a high-carbon, hardened steel with an almost jewel-like appearance used in Japanese bladesmithing.
It was created by firing iron sand at high temperatures and mixing the result with charcoal. The resulting tamahagane was prized for its use in samurai swords, and this way of manufacturing was used for nearly 400 years until the Edo period at the start of the 17th century.

The Japanese sword is a symbol of unparalleled beauty and quality. Bound closely to the image of the samurai class, the blades are highly prized and honored by collectors all over the world. The history of these incredible weapons and the warriors who wielded them are intimately connected to the development of the Japanese nation and the culture of modern Japan.
Crafting these blades was a complicated process that began with firing iron sand at temperatures over 1,800 °F and mixed with charcoal to harden the metal with carbon to produce a mass of steel called tamahagane. This metal is tough and layered, making it suitable for shaping into a warrior's sword.
This specimen is a chunk of authentic historical tamahagane, material used in Japanese bladesmithing. It ships in a sturdy carton and comes complete with a certificate of authenticity.

📸 "Having Achieved Their Goal, the Faithful Samurai Withdraw to Sengoku-ji Temple and Assemble There" 義士本望を達して仙国寺へ引取固の図 by Utagawa Kuniyosh (1797-1861) (Source: Museum of Fine Arts - Boston)
MORE ABOUT SAMURAI SWORDS AND TAMAHAGANE

📸 Tatara illustration from Saki no Ohtsu Agawa-mura yama-satetsu arai-tori no zu (先大津阿川村山砂鉄洗取之図) - University of Tokyo Engineering, Information Science and Technology Library
Forging a traditional Japanese sword is an intense process. It begins with smelting iron sands in a massive, purpose-built clay furnace known as a tatara. By means of the massive bellows, layers of charcoal and iron sands were kept under constant heat for days, eventually yielding a porous mass of iron, slag, and steel known as a bloom.
When complete, the bloom is removed and different grades of steel are separated based on their carbon content—the most famous being tamahagane, a high-carbon, hardened steel with an almost jewel-like appearance.

📸 Internal structure of Samurai sword blades over time
The oldest blades, known as Ko-tō (Old Sword) were created by combining tamahagane with steel containing both higher and lower amounts of carbon. Kneading or folding this mixture created a material that could be both strong and flexible, provided the blade survived the creation of the ultra hard edge known as the ha.
To create the ha, the swordsmith would coat the blade with a combination of clay, charcoal, and crushed stone. This mixture was applied in two steps. First a light coat for the entire blade and then a second, thicker coat for the body. Returning to the forge, the blade would be thermal cycled several times. This process of heating and cooling causes the metal to expand and contract, forcing a molecular reorganization which makes the material denser.
The varied application of the clay controls the heat, allowing the edge to become harder while the spine remains flexible. It also results in a beautiful and natural outline of the hardened area, known as the hamon. This way of manufacturing continued for nearly 400 years until the Edo era at the start of the 17th century.

📸 TOKUGAWA IEYASU, THE FIRST SHOGUN OF THE EDO PERIOD
The Edo period represented a major change for Japanese society. The previous century was a time of continuous internal conflict. War, famine, and political intrigue among hundreds of local rulers and warlords kept the entire country on edge. Reunified under the Tokugawa clan in 1603, the new shogunate ruled the country from the city of Edo for 265 years, and "the way of the warrior" was transformed into a far reaching philosophy on how to live a moral life. The strict set of laws which governed the military rule of the Tokugawa shogunate reached into nearly every aspect of public and private life. The rules even dictated the maximum size for both the Katana and Wakizashi swords and the method of manufacture.
Tamahagane during this era was mass produced using new methods, which resulted in a steel with much higher carbon content. This made the tamahagane stronger but also made it difficult to combine with other grades of steel. As a result, the new swords or Shin-tō were created using a laminating process which wrapped the harder steel around a softer core. According to polishing experts, older swords were superior in strength and flexibility. This belief led to the cutting down of many longer Ko-tōto fit the blades to the new standard.
Further Reading
Musashi, Miyamoto. The Book of Five Rings. Shambhala Publications, 2005.
Nagayama, Kōkan. The Connoisseur's Book of Japanese Swords. Kodansha International, 1997.
Yoshikawa, Eiji. Musashi. Kodansha International, 1995.