【Episode 5】What is TAMA-HAGANE?
Japanese blacksmithing has over a millennium of history. It dates back to the 1st century A.D. when ancient blacksmiths studied template method from the continent. Copper pottery and rice farming techniques were also introduced to Japan at the same time.
Since then, Japanese blacksmiths had spent centuries to invent the traditional metal forging technique called TATARA(鑪). TATARA is a clay melting pot where you put iron sand and charcoal together to bond these chemicals with intensive heat.
By using this technique, they started to make Japanese swords out of Tatara carbon-steel.
This type of carbon-steel was later called TAMA-HAGANE (玉鋼; Ball-Steel). However, Tama-Hagane, in the early days, still had room for improvement. The schools of Katana (Japanese swords) continued carrying out various ways to make the best steel.
In the Edo period (1603-1868 A.D.), they finally achieved the most steady mass-producing supply of Tama-Hagane. As transport links in the Edo period were far more advanced than those of any previous eras, Tama-Hagane has rapidly spread throughout the country. It was widely used for Shin-TO Japanese swords, since it was deemed the purest form of carbon-steel with the most stable chemical bond. It was also a defining moment in Japanese history when most swordsmiths in Japan used virtually the same ingredient in their blacksmithing.

After the decline of the Samurai regime in the Meiji era (1868-1912 A.D.), Tatara and Tama-Hagane also vanished from Japan. Although it had once restored its use in the World War period, there was eventually no operating Tatara factory in Japan.
The Tatara method had been extinct until the 1970s. However, there was still no better metal material than Tama-Hagane in terms of its pureness and strength. Even the finest of modern technology could not create the alternative to Tama-Hagane.
In the year 1972, following all the struggles by the government and metal industry to bring Tatara back to life, it was NBTHK that presented themselves in charge.
They finally restored the traditional Tatara factory in the year 1977. Also, Tatara was selected as one of the traditional Japanese techniques that are legally worth preserving by the Agency for Cultural Affairs in Japan.
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That is the history of TAMA-HAGANE. Did you enjoy this article? It seems to us that it is such an honor to have the kind of steel which has a deep-rooted history behind it in our culture. It would also be an honor if this article helped you understand Katana’s true art and history.
And if you don’t own a Japanese sword yet, we are happy to serve you at our online shop. You are welcome to ask us anything! We will see you in the next episode.
Samurai Museum
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Authentic Japanese Sword
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$7,395.90

DELIVERY TIME : Approx. 1-1.5 months
*We ship from Tokyo, Japan. There might be delay in shipment depending on countries.
SHIPPING TO :
USA, Canada, Mexico, Switzerland, Germany , Hong Kong, France, UK, Australia
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INCLUDED : NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Certificate for the blade, Hozon Certificate for Koshirae, Koshirae Mounting , Shirasaya Case, Traditional Sword Carrying Case, Sword Maintenance Kit, Full Exportation Support
Category |
Wakizashi (KOTO)
|
Age |
Early Muromachi Period (1394-1427) |
Swordsmith |
Saemon no Jyo Nobukuni (左衛門尉信国) |
Certificate |
NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Certificate for the blade and Hozon Certificate for Koshirae |
Location |
Yamashiro province (Kyoto) |
Blade Size |
Cutting Edge Length: 45.4 cm ( 17.9 inches)
Curvature: 1.2 cm ( 0.47 inches) |
More photos& videos available on request. Please feel free to contact us.
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$8,875.08

DELIVERY TIME : Approx. 1-1.5 months
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SHIPPING TO :
USA, Canada, Mexico, Switzerland, Germany , Hong Kong, France, UK, Australia
*Please contact us prior to purchase if your country isn’t listed.
INCLUDED : NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Certificate, Koshirae Mounting , Traditional Sword Carrying Case, Sword Maintenance Kit, Full Exportation Support
Category |
Wakizashi (SHINTO)
|
Age |
Early Edo period (Mid-Late 17th century) |
Swordsmith |
Mutsu Daijyo Miyoshi Nagamichi (陸奥大掾三善長道) |
Certificate |
NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Certificate |
Location |
Aizu province (Fukushima prefecture) |
Blade Size |
Cutting Edge Length: 51.6 cm ( 20.3 inches)
Curvature: 1.2 cm (0.47 inches)
|
More photos& videos available on request. Please feel free to contact us.
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$5,325.05

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INCLUDED : NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Certificate, Koshirae Mounting , Shirasaya Case, Traditional Sword Carrying Case, Sword Maintenance Kit, Full Exportation Support
Category |
Wakizashi (SHIN SHIN TO)
|
Age |
Late Edo Period ( 1854-1864) |
Swordsmith |
Shouji Yamon Naokatsu (荘司弥門直勝) |
Certificate |
NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Certificate |
Location |
Musashi province (Tokyo prefecture) |
Blade Size |
Cutting Edge Length: 45.9 cm ( 18.0 inches)
Curvature: 0.9 cm (0.35 inches)
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More photos& videos available on request. Please feel free to contact us.
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$2,070.85

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INCLUDED : NBTHK Tokubetsu Kicho Certificate , Shirasaya Case, Traditional Sword Carrying Case, Sword Maintenance Kit, Full Exportation Support
Category |
Wakizashi (SHIN SHIN TO) |
Age |
Late Edo Period (Late 19th century) |
Swordsmith |
Attributed to Ashu Sukeyoshi (阿洲祐芳: Unsigned) |
Certificate |
NBTHK Tokubetsu Kicho Certificate |
Location |
Awa province (Today’s Tokushima prefecture) |
Blade Size |
Cutting Edge Length: 33.0 cm( 13.0 inches)
Curvature: 0.8 cm (0.31 inches) |
More photos& videos available on request. Please feel free to contact us.
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$2,218.77

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INCLUDED : NBTHK Hozon Certificate, Shirasaya Case, Traditional Sword Carrying Case, Sword Maintenance Kit, Full Exportation Support
Category |
Tanto ( KOTO) |
Age |
Late Muromachi period |
Swordsmith |
Attributed to Kanemasu (兼升) |
Certificate |
NBTHK Hozon Certificate |
Location |
Mino province (Today’s Gifu prefecture) |
Blade Size |
Cutting Edge Length: 28.1 cm (11.0 inches)
Curvature: 0.2 cm (0.08 inches) |
More photos& videos available on request. Please feel free to contact us.
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$5,916.72

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SHIPPING TO :
USA, Canada, Mexico, Switzerland, Germany , Hong Kong, France, UK, Australia
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INCLUDED : NBTHK Hozon Certificate, Shirasaya Case, Traditional Sword Carrying Case, Sword Maintenance Kit, Full Exportation Support
Category |
Wakizashi ( SHIN SHIN TO) |
Age |
Late Edo period (Late 19th century) |
Swordsmith |
Attributed to Chounsai Tsunatoshi (長運斎綱俊: Unsigned) |
Certificate |
NBTHK Hozon Certificate |
Location |
Musashi province (Today’s Tokyo) |
Blade Size |
Length:45.2 cm ( 17.8 inches), Curvature: 1.12 cm ( 0.44 inches) |
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$4,437.54

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INCLUDED : NBTHK Tokubetsu Kicho Certificate, Shirasaya Case , Traditional Sword Carrying Case, Sword Maintenance Kit, Full Exportation Support
Category |
Naginata ( KOTO) |
Age |
Nanbokucho period-early Muromachi period (Late 14th-Early 15th century) |
Swordsmith |
Attributed to Uda Kunifusa (宇多国房: Unsigned) |
Certificate |
NBTHK Tokubetsu Kicho Certificate |
Location |
Bitchu province (Okayama prefecture) |
Blade Size |
Cutting Edge Length: 52.3 cm ( 20.6 inches)
Curvature: 2.1 cm (0.82 inches) |
More photos& videos available on request. Please feel free to contact us.
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$7,395.90

DELIVERY TIME : Approx. 1-1.5 months
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SHIPPING TO :
USA, Canada, Mexico, Switzerland, Germany , Hong Kong, France, UK, Australia
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INCLUDED : NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Certificate, Koshirae Mounting , Shirasaya Case, Traditional Sword Carrying Case, Sword Maintenance Kit, Full Exportation Support
Category |
Wakizashi (SHINTO)
|
Age |
Early Edo Period (1648-1673) |
Swordsmith |
Echigo no Kami Kanesada (越後守包貞: First-gen) |
Certificate |
NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Certificate |
Location |
Settsu province (Osaka prefecture) |
Blade Size |
Cutting Edge Length: 54.5 cm ( 21.4 inches)
Curvature: 1.06 cm (0.42 inches)
|
More photos& videos available on request. Please feel free to contact us.
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$8,875.08

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INCLUDED : NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Certificate, Koshirae Mounting, Shirasaya Case, Traditional Sword Carrying Case, Sword Maintenance Kit, Full Exportation Support
Category |
Katana( SHINTO) |
Age |
Early Edo Period (Approx. 1673-1681) |
Swordsmith |
Sagami no Kami Minamoto Sukeharu (相模守源祐春) |
Certificate |
NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Certificate |
Location |
Settsu (Today’s Osaka prefecture) |
Blade Size |
Cutting Edge Length: 74.2 cm (29.2 inches)
Curvature: 1.51 cm (0.59 inches) |
More photos& videos available on request. Please feel free to contact us.
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$4,067.75

DELIVERY TIME : Approx. 1-1.5 months
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SHIPPING TO :
USA, Canada, Mexico, Switzerland, Germany , Hong Kong, France, UK, Australia
*Please contact us prior to purchase if your country isn’t listed.
INCLUDED : NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Certificate, Shirasaya Case, Traditional Sword Carrying Case, Sword Maintenance Kit, Full Exportation Support
Category |
Wakizashi (SHINTO) |
Age |
Early Edo Period (1661-1673) |
Swordsmith |
Mutsu no Kami Kaneshige (陸奥守包重) |
Certificate |
NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Certificate |
Location |
Settsu province (Today’s Osaka) |
Blade Size |
Cutting Edge Length: 57.0 cm ( 22.4 inches)
Curvature: 1.0 cm ( 0.39 inches) |
More photos& videos available on request. Please feel free to contact us.