I've already lost count of the number of swords I own. It isn't a huge number, but it's more than the average person. (Of course, how many "average" people own even one sword?) My previous acquisition was a Last Legend katana and I was so happy with it that I figured it would be a long time before I purchased another sword.
It was about three years... I guess that's a long time for me.
I discovered Cheness Cutlery's shinobigatana. They make two versions, the Onibasu and the Oniyuri. The Onibasu is the "economy" version and list prices at $299.99, but seems to be on a semi-permanaent sale at $189.99. Since Santa Claus was financially kind to me this year, I purchased the Oniyuri version, which lists at $499.99 and is also on semi-permanent sale for $249.99.
The Oniyuri is advertised as being made to the specifications of a Togakure Ryu sword, as commissioned by a Bujinkan Dojo based on information they received from Hatsumi-sensei at some point. I can't verify the truth, but it sure sounds good. These are the technical specs for those who care:
metallurgy: 9260 Silicon Alloy Carbon Spring Steel, full hand forged, through Tempered, Oil Quneched, Hand Polished.
Dimensions: Overall sheathed length: 44.5 inches. Cutting edge: 23 inches. 0.3 inch width, 1.25 inches height. The sori, or curve in the blade is a deviation of 0.5 inches.
Weight is 2 lbs 12 oz.
Tsuka, or handle, length is a whopping 14 inches!
Now, I am not a sword connoiseur. All of my stuff is made for cutting and is sturdy, but it was all made by Indians or Chinese folks, none of it is a true Nihon-to, forged with the blessings of the kami, and direct from the Land of the Rising Sun. But I do know that oil quenching is a no-no for Japanese sword fans, amd double-pinning the tsuka to the blade is a faux-pas. Still, this is an impressive cutting tool made in the image of a true shinobigatana, or ninja-to.
The obligatory word on the ninja-to: We all know by now that the straight bladed, square-guarded short sword that is instantly familiar to even the previously mentioned "average person" is a Hollywood fantasy. Yes, I know that Christian Bale even used one in Batman Begins... But they were living in Tibet! Obviously, if you are a secret agent -- no matter what era you live in -- you don't want to be carrying around tools which instantly identify you as a spy or assassin.
A ninja sword tended to be whatever sword fit the disguise you were in: rich samurai, poor wandering ronin, armed monk, traveling merchant. Even so, Togakure Ryu seemed to favor a "trick" sword that was made to look like an everyday katana, but had a shorter cutting blade. This provided some advanatges to the owner. The most widely known is the quick draw. The shorter length allows the blade to clear the scabbard faster. It also messes with the distance of an attacker. (Ponder that, those of you in the know...) The sword could be used in tight spaces. The hollow in the bottom of the scabbard could be used to hold small items intended to be secret, or even blinding powder. (Note: If you own a ninja sword from Cheness, DON'T put powder in your scabbard. I know it sounds cool, but the oil from your sword will creep into the powder and creat a mess over time. In eons past, replacement saya were much easier to come by than in 21st Century America.)
I haven't had a chance to cut anything with it. But the workmanship holds up with the Hanwei line so many people have, and is almost as good as Last Legend. These seem to be the current standards for swords to be used (or is that "abused") by martial artists. Here is a thread from Kutaki discussing the Cheness swords. And here is an interesting thread on whether or not there ever was a straight bladed ninja-to from e-Budo. I post this last link because it opens the question: how do we know the story about the curved, short Togakure Ryu sword is true? Has anyone ever found one? It's a mindbender for sure...
6 comments:
Happy New Year Teacher! I am alive and well. Hope you are the same.I think the last time I wrote, I was on the street so to speak. I must apologize for my absence. I have no valuable excuse.
I have re-invented myself so to speak and am working and training again. And as always, your site provides an azimuth to the path(those in the know... know about the path).
I just bought a sword from AWMA. I have been practicing cutting stuff. I am getting better at it. How did samarai hammer the bendy part straight again?
I should have got one of those for Christmas. Instead I got a video ipod and its already broken. Piece of *r@p(a little censor there so you hopefully won't delete my comment). Actually I appreciate some censorship. My exposure to "adult sexual content" is probably a lot less than most and has left me somewhat sensitive, which is the way I want myself. I think your cheesecake is porn. We all choose how we define things. You define it differently than me and I understand that your choices and experiences have led you to that opinion. I can't question that. I don't even really know you.
Mr. Simmons;
So good to hear from you again. I am pleased to learn you are still moving ever so slowly along the path. It is a journey to be savored, and slow progress is still progress.
In ancient days, bent swords were probably taken to expert smiths for repair. I can only suggest you invest in a rubber mallet and an anvil to effect your own field repairs. I am surprised that your Asian World "Special" bent. In my humble experience those things shattered -- much like video iPods when dropped from excessive heights. Perhaps AWMA's quality is getting better.
If you can not get the bend out of your sword, perhaps you should review the archived cheesecake on this site. It will take your mind off your troubles. Then you can procure a replacement sword. Rolled up Playboy and Penthouse magazines make excellent cutting targets!
Hi- I just stumbled across your review and wanted to thank you. My name is Don Gaffney and I was the one that designed the 'oni' series for Paul Chen (aka Chenness Cutlery). I was with LA Bujinkan at teh time under sensei Andy Martin and it was with his and Hatsumi Senseis help that I took the specs to Paul. Just so there is no confusion Chenness is run by the OTHER Paul Chen in La Jolla. It all started as a way to get authentic training tools in to the hands of Takamatsu den students and became quite the phenomenon. Paul was very helpful and it became probaby his most successful line and spawned a host of copy cats :) Again, thans for the kind words and Im glad you enjoyed it.
No, thank you, Mr. Gaffney!
I really appreciate the back story on how Chenness received the specs. It's good to know there is some truth to the story. I think it is important to get good training tools into the hands of Takamatsuden students so they can use them and learn from practical experience. Obviously the Oni series aren't going to be used in any sword fights, but there is much to be learned from cutting and drawing with them. (I believe you can now even buy them in iaito versions that lack a cutting edge.)
Since I wrote this review, I have had a chance to cut with the sword and it performed very well. Cutting is not something a student should attempt without supervision or alone, but it is a useful training activity.
I'd like to see some other unusual Takamatsuden training tools made to "original" specifications. Some dream items include a kyoketsu shoge, various size kunai, and good shuko. The "AWMA" versions that exist are really crappy and do not provide any kind of useful feedback for the student. I have found that Cold Steel throwing knives are very much like kunai, but they are still not the same.
But I digress.
Thanks again, Mr. Gaffney.
Great post shared by author. I appreciate it. Thanks for sharing this informative post. Keep posting updates.
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