CAS Hanwei Tokugawa Katana by Paul Chen

Product detailed description

One of the "great unifiers" and legends of feudal Japan, Tokugawa Ieyasu was a masterful tactician and political strategist. Much can be said of Ieysau for his bold yet prudent quick reactions in seizing opportunities, but his most successful tactic was his long-game. After years of clever maneuvering and military battles, Ieyasu traded his five home provinces for eight in Kanto Province after conquering them with one of his greatest rivals, Toyotomi Hideyoshi. This ingenious move isolated him from Hideyoshi's rule and allowed him to gain autonomy and become the second most powerful daimyo in Japan. This move gave rise to the Japanese proverb "Ieyasu gained an empire by withdrawing."

After Hideyoshi's death, Ieyasu became one of the regents in the Council of Five Elders, which was to rule on behalf of his young son Hideyori. A year later, one of the oldest and most respected regents dies, creating an opportunity for domination. Ieyasu takes possession of Osaka Castle, Hideyori's residence, infuriating the other regents. At the Battle of Sekigahara, he finds himself nearly twice outnumbered. However, like his late friend and ally Oda Nobunaga, Ieyasu made use of firearms and had several arkebuz smuggled in for the battle, along with added backroom negotiations with some daimyo in the western army. In March 1603, Ieyasu became shogun, leading to the creation of the Tokugawa shogunate, which lasted until 1868 and is referred to as the Edo period.

Total length: 105 cm
Blade length: 69 cm
Steel: T10, differentially hardened
Hardness: 60 HRC
Handle: black cord wrapped/ rayskin
Scabbard: black wood