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Katsumoto Katana with Hon-Sanmei Blade
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Are you looking for a sword that is not just a piece of steel, but a reflection of history and the pinnacle of smithing art? The Katsumoto Katana by the renowned brand John Lee transports you to 15th-century Japan, to the era of the powerful warrior Hosokawa Katsumoto. This sword is designed for demanding collectors and martial arts practitioners who require uncompromising quality. The heart of this weapon is a hand-forged blade with a complex Hon-Sanmei construction, combining sharpness, hardness, and flexibility. It is not just a decoration—it is a fully functional weapon, ready for cutting tests (tameshigiri). Further product information ...
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Katsumoto Katana with Hon-Sanmei Blade – A Masterpiece by John Lee
Warrior's Legacy: Hosokawa Katsumoto
The sword bears the name of one of the key figures in Japanese history. Hosokawa Katsumoto (1430–1473) was a powerful deputy to the Shogun (Kanrei) and a central figure in the devastating Onin War. This conflict, in which Katsumoto commanded an army of 80,000 men, forever changed the face of Kyoto and all of Japan. The design of the sword, from the tsuba depicting the warrior to the family crest (Mon), pays tribute to this historical figure and his strength.
Unique Blade Construction: Hon-Sanmei
What makes this katana exceptional is the sandwich construction of the blade called Hon-Sanmei. The smith combined three different types of steel to achieve ideal properties:
- Edge (Ha): Made of high-carbon 1095 steel, hardened to approximately 60 HRC. This guarantees that the sword is extremely sharp and retains its edge for a long time.
- Sides (Kawa-gane): Made of 1065 steel, providing structural strength to the blade.
- Core (Shin-gane): Consists of softer steel with lower carbon content. Thanks to this, the blade is flexible and resistant to breaking upon impact.
The blade is polished to a high sheen, features a fuller (Bo-Hi) to reduce weight, and boasts a beautiful, genuine Hamon line, created by traditional differential hardening using clay.
Traditional Mounting and Luxury Materials
Every detail of this katana has been carefully considered. The wooden handle is covered with genuine blackened ray skin and wrapped in black silk in the Katate-Maki style (battle wrap), ensuring a firm grip. The tsuba, fuchi, and kashira are hand-decorated and form a harmonious whole. The scabbard (Saya) is lacquered in black Kuroro style, and all its fittings are made of genuine buffalo horn, not plastic.
Safety Warning
This katana is an extremely sharp and fully functional weapon. It is suitable for practicing forms (kata) and cutting soft targets (tatami mats). It is by no means intended for contact fencing (steel-on-steel) or chopping hard objects (wood, bone), which could lead to chipping the hard edge. Handling the sword is at your own risk.
Care and Maintenance of Samurai Swords and Japanese Swords
Technical Parameters
| Blade Material | 1095 Steel (edge), 1065 (sides), Soft Steel (core) |
| Construction | Hon-Sanmei, Shinogi-Zukuri |
| Total Length | 111 cm / 43.7 in (without scabbard) |
| Blade / Grip Length | 78 cm / 32 cm (30.7 in / 12.6 in) |
| Weight | approx. 1200 g / 2.65 lbs |
| Koshirae Materials | Silk, Ray skin, Brass, Buffalo horn |
The sword is delivered in a representative wooden collector's box along with a cloth bag, a certificate of authenticity, and a luxury lacquered stand.
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