Demon Blade (Kimetsu no Yaiba)

[imyafather]

I am not sure if this is going to be breaking any rules, or not, but I wanted to share. I actually work with Japanese swords in Tokyo, and at the moment the Anime and Manga series, Demon Slayer (Kimetsu no Yaiba) is huge here and abroad. I decided that I wanted to try and recreate a real version of the main character's sword mountings and thought I'd film the process.

Part one of the sword guard (tsuba) making vid is here:

 

[imyafather]

Finishing touches on Sunday I think. I still need to make a fuchi (handle base collar) and get all the parts off to the relevant traditional craftsmen.

Kamado Tanjiro tsuka-gashira and tsuba.
I am making a full set of real Nihonto (Japanese sword) mountings (koshirae) based on the Nichrinto sword of Demon Slayer (Kimetsu no Yaiba). If you are interested in master fittings maker, Izumi Koushiro sensei’s class, you can take part if you come to Tokyo.

 

[imyafather]

Sword just came back from the traditional mountings maker. Next the scabbard goes off to the lacquerer, and the handle goes of to the wrapper. The mountings foundation is all Honoki wood. I also had a dummy blade made out of the same material. Once complete, the mountings will be entered into this year’s Japanese sword craftsmens’ competition held by the Society for the Promotion of Japanese Sword Culture (NBSK). I’ve already had talks for its possible display at a Ryokan traditional inn in Fukushima, which is the basis for one of the scenes in Demon Slayer.

 

[imyafather]

Handle part just came back from the handle wrapper. Just waiting for the scabbard and we are good to go. Although, I've already been told that they will not accept it into the craftsman's competition because they are worried about copyright infringement claims.

 

[spoudastis]

Wow, special piece, thank you for sharing!

 

[lmc3]

Very cool!

 

[imyafather]

Thank you. Here is the current vid.

 

[imyafather]

Also, it has been featured on Otaku USA Magazine's site.

How a Japanese Sword Expert Created Tanjiro’s Sword Mounts

otakuusamagazine.com

 

[imyafather]

Here is the latest vid. They are out of sequence unfortunately.

 

[spoudastis]

Wow incredible. I’ve always been very interested in tsuba and to see some of the process of crafting one has been a pleasure to watch. Fantastic project, congrats on the remarkable outcome.

 

[imyafather]

Thank you very much! It was hard work, and in reality my efforts are that of an amateur supported by fully apprenticed traditional craftsmen, so it is still very rewarding. Incidentally, the prototype tsuba which I switched out for the current one is going on display at the Aizu Clan’s old Samurai Academy (Nisshinkan). To have my tsuba displayed at a historical samurai facility turned museum makes me feel incredibly honored.

 

[imyafather]

Latest update in the videos of the process.