Bushido Broad
November 25th, 2007, 12:23 AM
Masahiro White Shadow
First, a video for you all to enjoy (cutting video included!):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLIuMEW4PoY
The encoding process busted my knee caps, so the picture quality in the video isn't as crisp as the original. Bear with me here; I'll provide the original pictures included in the video for better viewing throughout the review... :ninjakill:
As a practitioner of Aikido, I've always been seduced by the tools used as an extension of one's Budo--the weapons. In some Aikido schools, the wooden sword (bokken), short staff (jo), and tanto (knife)are used as "extensions" of one's own body and ki. The origins of Aikido's techniques and martial movements come from kenjutsu and yarijutsu (among other martial practices). I wanted to feel a "live blade" for myself, other than the wooden weapons I'm used to practicing my weapons forms with. After careful budgeting, I realized I had around $200 bucks to use however I wanted. After sifting through dubious marketing claims ("THIS SWORD IS FULLY FUNCTIONAL! CAN CUT THROUGH METAL!11!1one!11!1" or my favorite B.S. sword ability, "FULL CONTACT! VIRTUALLY UNBREAKABLE!111!!!), I came across Dragonsedge.biz (now known as "Swordsofmight.com"...obviously). Being as frugal as I am, I was searching for a quality sword at a reasonable price. That's when I came across the White Shadow.
http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/1194/swordinscabbard1qs6.th.jpg (http://img261.imageshack.us/my.php?image=swordinscabbard1qs6.jpg)
Ohoho, yes. This blade was as handsome as Tom Selleck and Toshiro Mifune merged together! Their imposing physical tenements of robust muscles, steel tendons, and titanium ligaments all came together to create this blade! And the price? $120 United States Dollars! I purchased this sword faster than a soccer mom running down a spartan hoplite in her minivan!
http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/8083/unsheathedbc3.th.jpg (http://img266.imageshack.us/my.php?image=unsheathedbc3.jpg)
Sword Measurements
(Taken from the SwordsofMight.com Advertisement)
Blade length: 28"
Handle: 13"
Overall Length: 42.5"
Weight: 2.4Lbs
The Saya
Nothing to really write home about. Your standard black lacquered wooden sheath. The Sageo is made of standard cotton.
The Tsuka
What first primarily drew me to this sword was the snow white Ito wrapping. The color was an unusual sight for me because I commonly saw black wrappings or an occasional red one. I was pleased with how much the brightness of the Ito accentuated the fine details of the Menuki and the intricate wave patterns of the Fuchi and Kashira. The darkness of the Same contrasts well with the braid wrapping as well. The only down side to having a pure white wrapping is the amount of dirt that likes to gather like wolves and ask, "Howwwwwwwwwwwwwwl old is she?!" I'm a bit obsessive on the subject of cleanliness, and not knowing how to correctly clean or replace the Ito is particularly vexing. Glue is also painfully visible on certain areas, but perhaps that can be used to your advantage if you happen to come across a vagrant ronin with OCD. That split second of, ".....Does she know that's there!?" can cost him dearly (or an arm). Of course, if you're anything like me, you'll wear CLEAN gloves while practicing your sword forms (or just use a bokken) to avoid the problem.
The Menuki fit snugly under the wrappings, but unfortunately, the Menuki on the left side of the Tsuka is slightly crooked. I'm not at all a good judge of metals, but my gut tells me their composition is made of brass.
The Fuchi is the definition of "security" on this sword. The relatively "open" Tsuba with sections that point in the Cardinal Directions was aesthetically pleasing to my eye as well. I had become jaded from the hum drum "solid" Tsubas with motifs of Mt.Fuji or Sakura blossoms during my search for a good sword.
Here's the Kashira...
http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/7306/kashiragd0.th.jpg (http://img267.imageshack.us/my.php?image=kashiragd0.jpg)
And the Ito...
http://img256.imageshack.us/img256/581/tightwrapkw1.th.jpg (http://img256.imageshack.us/my.php?image=tightwrapkw1.jpg)
Here, you can see the crooked Menuki. It's not as polished as I saw in the advertisement, but I like the darkened look of dragon. It gives the sword an air of age and refinement, in my eyes.
The Menuki...
http://img136.imageshack.us/img136/2640/menukigoodpc4.th.jpg (http://img136.imageshack.us/my.php?image=menukigoodpc4.jpg)
Fuchi...
http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/4089/fuchiwavehn1.th.jpg (http://img206.imageshack.us/my.php?image=fuchiwavehn1.jpg)
Tsuba...<3
http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/111/hottsubako0.th.jpg (http://img402.imageshack.us/my.php?image=hottsubako0.jpg)
The Additional Tsuba Included With This Model:
http://img81.imageshack.us/img81/4875/dirtroadtsubaeh8.th.jpg (http://img81.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dirtroadtsubaeh8.jpg)
Curse you and your finger prints, brother!
The Blade
When I unsheathed my White Shadow, I noticed the sword smiths had applied a thick layer of protective oil to the blade. That was a big plus for me. The White Shadow may not be the most illustrious sword Masahiro has to offer, but that showed me they care about their swords (or had an overzealous employee in charge of oiling). The surface was polished to such an extent that I first thought I was gazing into a mirror.
The Ha was exceedingly sharp and the integrity of the blade had not been damaged while in route to my home. During my short cutting video, I am hesitant in my cuts (makeshift targets will do that)and only used the Monouchi of the blade. Notice the deep slices (and severing!) I achieved with little effort.
Each side of the blade is decorated with a Horimono. On the left side, is an arrow in flight entwined by the winds (or perhaps ivy or flames). On the right side, is a presumably a god (Fudo Myo-o)engulfed in flames.
The Hamon rushes down the blade in a wave pattern. Although the Hamon is graceful, I question its authenticity. Upon further inspection, I can see fine uniformed lines, possibly indicating the look was achieved using a fine wire brush.
The Kissaki is nice and pointed, perfect for a well executed thrust into the armor of an IRS samurai warrior!
The overall balance of the blade is outstanding (I'm making an educated guess here, but the point of balance is roughly around 5.4 inches from the Tsuba), so I enjoy using it for forms.
Horimono (Fudo Myo-o): http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/7260/horimonomanon7.th.jpg (http://img20.imageshack.us/my.php?image=horimonomanon7.jpg)
Horimono (Arrow):
http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/1394/horimonoarrowes4.th.jpg (http://img87.imageshack.us/my.php?image=horimonoarrowes4.jpg)
Hamon:
http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/4970/hamonmq5.th.jpg (http://img515.imageshack.us/my.php?image=hamonmq5.jpg)
Kissaki:
http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/8633/kissakikz5.th.png (http://img515.imageshack.us/my.php?image=kissakikz5.png)
"Do I have my income tax return filled out..? Oh, sure! It's right HERE!
I told him to stop talking on his cell phone during the movie. I mean, as much as I enjoy spending thirty bucks at the movies to have your voice provide ambience..:
http://img511.imageshack.us/img511/2962/pumpchunkrk5.th.jpg (http://img511.imageshack.us/my.php?image=pumpchunkrk5.jpg)
Angled shot to show the depth of the cut. Depth...deep...I've got a craving for deep dish pizza.
http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/9744/pumpyokomenjpgpq9.th.jpg (http://img267.imageshack.us/my.php?image=pumpyokomenjpgpq9.jpg)
Overall Impression
The Masahiro White Shadow is an excellent blade for fledgling sword collecting enthusiasts and even martial artists searching for a more economic cutter. I have had the pleasure of owning the White Shadow since the summer of 2006, and not ONCE have the fittings anchoring the sword as one loosened. The edge still cuts like a hot knife through butter. The balance is superb and I LOVE the triple whistling noise I receive when executing a cut! If you like getting an extra bang for your buck, the White Shadow comes with an additional tsuba, sword bag, and shipping container depicting an injured samurai staggering through the end of a battle in ukiyo-e fashion. Think of that last surviving shopper breathing heavily and gazing skyward as he drags his lead feet through mountains of injured shoppers to the last Cabbage Patch Doll (or for the younger audience, think of the Furbies or Buzz Lightyear shopping wars of the 90's).
Hamon of dubious origin, crooked Menuki, and visible glue aside, I'll give this blade an 87/100.
For Your Viewing Pleasure
Still not convinced, oh seeker? Images in the video, in case you couldn't read the text.
http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/291/page1nc4.th.jpg (http://img248.imageshack.us/my.php?image=page1nc4.jpg)
http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/5606/page1iq9.th.jpg (http://img401.imageshack.us/my.php?image=page1iq9.jpg)
http://img513.imageshack.us/img513/4874/jaaaaneyz9.th.png (http://img513.imageshack.us/my.php?image=jaaaaneyz9.png)
http://img409.imageshack.us/img409/833/page1hg2.th.jpg (http://img409.imageshack.us/my.php?image=page1hg2.jpg)
First, a video for you all to enjoy (cutting video included!):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLIuMEW4PoY
The encoding process busted my knee caps, so the picture quality in the video isn't as crisp as the original. Bear with me here; I'll provide the original pictures included in the video for better viewing throughout the review... :ninjakill:
As a practitioner of Aikido, I've always been seduced by the tools used as an extension of one's Budo--the weapons. In some Aikido schools, the wooden sword (bokken), short staff (jo), and tanto (knife)are used as "extensions" of one's own body and ki. The origins of Aikido's techniques and martial movements come from kenjutsu and yarijutsu (among other martial practices). I wanted to feel a "live blade" for myself, other than the wooden weapons I'm used to practicing my weapons forms with. After careful budgeting, I realized I had around $200 bucks to use however I wanted. After sifting through dubious marketing claims ("THIS SWORD IS FULLY FUNCTIONAL! CAN CUT THROUGH METAL!11!1one!11!1" or my favorite B.S. sword ability, "FULL CONTACT! VIRTUALLY UNBREAKABLE!111!!!), I came across Dragonsedge.biz (now known as "Swordsofmight.com"...obviously). Being as frugal as I am, I was searching for a quality sword at a reasonable price. That's when I came across the White Shadow.
http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/1194/swordinscabbard1qs6.th.jpg (http://img261.imageshack.us/my.php?image=swordinscabbard1qs6.jpg)
Ohoho, yes. This blade was as handsome as Tom Selleck and Toshiro Mifune merged together! Their imposing physical tenements of robust muscles, steel tendons, and titanium ligaments all came together to create this blade! And the price? $120 United States Dollars! I purchased this sword faster than a soccer mom running down a spartan hoplite in her minivan!
http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/8083/unsheathedbc3.th.jpg (http://img266.imageshack.us/my.php?image=unsheathedbc3.jpg)
Sword Measurements
(Taken from the SwordsofMight.com Advertisement)
Blade length: 28"
Handle: 13"
Overall Length: 42.5"
Weight: 2.4Lbs
The Saya
Nothing to really write home about. Your standard black lacquered wooden sheath. The Sageo is made of standard cotton.
The Tsuka
What first primarily drew me to this sword was the snow white Ito wrapping. The color was an unusual sight for me because I commonly saw black wrappings or an occasional red one. I was pleased with how much the brightness of the Ito accentuated the fine details of the Menuki and the intricate wave patterns of the Fuchi and Kashira. The darkness of the Same contrasts well with the braid wrapping as well. The only down side to having a pure white wrapping is the amount of dirt that likes to gather like wolves and ask, "Howwwwwwwwwwwwwwl old is she?!" I'm a bit obsessive on the subject of cleanliness, and not knowing how to correctly clean or replace the Ito is particularly vexing. Glue is also painfully visible on certain areas, but perhaps that can be used to your advantage if you happen to come across a vagrant ronin with OCD. That split second of, ".....Does she know that's there!?" can cost him dearly (or an arm). Of course, if you're anything like me, you'll wear CLEAN gloves while practicing your sword forms (or just use a bokken) to avoid the problem.
The Menuki fit snugly under the wrappings, but unfortunately, the Menuki on the left side of the Tsuka is slightly crooked. I'm not at all a good judge of metals, but my gut tells me their composition is made of brass.
The Fuchi is the definition of "security" on this sword. The relatively "open" Tsuba with sections that point in the Cardinal Directions was aesthetically pleasing to my eye as well. I had become jaded from the hum drum "solid" Tsubas with motifs of Mt.Fuji or Sakura blossoms during my search for a good sword.
Here's the Kashira...
http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/7306/kashiragd0.th.jpg (http://img267.imageshack.us/my.php?image=kashiragd0.jpg)
And the Ito...
http://img256.imageshack.us/img256/581/tightwrapkw1.th.jpg (http://img256.imageshack.us/my.php?image=tightwrapkw1.jpg)
Here, you can see the crooked Menuki. It's not as polished as I saw in the advertisement, but I like the darkened look of dragon. It gives the sword an air of age and refinement, in my eyes.
The Menuki...
http://img136.imageshack.us/img136/2640/menukigoodpc4.th.jpg (http://img136.imageshack.us/my.php?image=menukigoodpc4.jpg)
Fuchi...
http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/4089/fuchiwavehn1.th.jpg (http://img206.imageshack.us/my.php?image=fuchiwavehn1.jpg)
Tsuba...<3
http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/111/hottsubako0.th.jpg (http://img402.imageshack.us/my.php?image=hottsubako0.jpg)
The Additional Tsuba Included With This Model:
http://img81.imageshack.us/img81/4875/dirtroadtsubaeh8.th.jpg (http://img81.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dirtroadtsubaeh8.jpg)
Curse you and your finger prints, brother!
The Blade
When I unsheathed my White Shadow, I noticed the sword smiths had applied a thick layer of protective oil to the blade. That was a big plus for me. The White Shadow may not be the most illustrious sword Masahiro has to offer, but that showed me they care about their swords (or had an overzealous employee in charge of oiling). The surface was polished to such an extent that I first thought I was gazing into a mirror.
The Ha was exceedingly sharp and the integrity of the blade had not been damaged while in route to my home. During my short cutting video, I am hesitant in my cuts (makeshift targets will do that)and only used the Monouchi of the blade. Notice the deep slices (and severing!) I achieved with little effort.
Each side of the blade is decorated with a Horimono. On the left side, is an arrow in flight entwined by the winds (or perhaps ivy or flames). On the right side, is a presumably a god (Fudo Myo-o)engulfed in flames.
The Hamon rushes down the blade in a wave pattern. Although the Hamon is graceful, I question its authenticity. Upon further inspection, I can see fine uniformed lines, possibly indicating the look was achieved using a fine wire brush.
The Kissaki is nice and pointed, perfect for a well executed thrust into the armor of an IRS samurai warrior!
The overall balance of the blade is outstanding (I'm making an educated guess here, but the point of balance is roughly around 5.4 inches from the Tsuba), so I enjoy using it for forms.
Horimono (Fudo Myo-o): http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/7260/horimonomanon7.th.jpg (http://img20.imageshack.us/my.php?image=horimonomanon7.jpg)
Horimono (Arrow):
http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/1394/horimonoarrowes4.th.jpg (http://img87.imageshack.us/my.php?image=horimonoarrowes4.jpg)
Hamon:
http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/4970/hamonmq5.th.jpg (http://img515.imageshack.us/my.php?image=hamonmq5.jpg)
Kissaki:
http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/8633/kissakikz5.th.png (http://img515.imageshack.us/my.php?image=kissakikz5.png)
"Do I have my income tax return filled out..? Oh, sure! It's right HERE!
I told him to stop talking on his cell phone during the movie. I mean, as much as I enjoy spending thirty bucks at the movies to have your voice provide ambience..:
http://img511.imageshack.us/img511/2962/pumpchunkrk5.th.jpg (http://img511.imageshack.us/my.php?image=pumpchunkrk5.jpg)
Angled shot to show the depth of the cut. Depth...deep...I've got a craving for deep dish pizza.
http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/9744/pumpyokomenjpgpq9.th.jpg (http://img267.imageshack.us/my.php?image=pumpyokomenjpgpq9.jpg)
Overall Impression
The Masahiro White Shadow is an excellent blade for fledgling sword collecting enthusiasts and even martial artists searching for a more economic cutter. I have had the pleasure of owning the White Shadow since the summer of 2006, and not ONCE have the fittings anchoring the sword as one loosened. The edge still cuts like a hot knife through butter. The balance is superb and I LOVE the triple whistling noise I receive when executing a cut! If you like getting an extra bang for your buck, the White Shadow comes with an additional tsuba, sword bag, and shipping container depicting an injured samurai staggering through the end of a battle in ukiyo-e fashion. Think of that last surviving shopper breathing heavily and gazing skyward as he drags his lead feet through mountains of injured shoppers to the last Cabbage Patch Doll (or for the younger audience, think of the Furbies or Buzz Lightyear shopping wars of the 90's).
Hamon of dubious origin, crooked Menuki, and visible glue aside, I'll give this blade an 87/100.
For Your Viewing Pleasure
Still not convinced, oh seeker? Images in the video, in case you couldn't read the text.
http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/291/page1nc4.th.jpg (http://img248.imageshack.us/my.php?image=page1nc4.jpg)
http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/5606/page1iq9.th.jpg (http://img401.imageshack.us/my.php?image=page1iq9.jpg)
http://img513.imageshack.us/img513/4874/jaaaaneyz9.th.png (http://img513.imageshack.us/my.php?image=jaaaaneyz9.png)
http://img409.imageshack.us/img409/833/page1hg2.th.jpg (http://img409.imageshack.us/my.php?image=page1hg2.jpg)