Post by Marc Kaden Ridgeway on Aug 4, 2009 23:33:43 GMT -5
Kensei Uryuu U-no-Kubi Katana
Review by Marc Kaden Ridgeway --------- 5 August 2009
Atlanta GA , USA
This is the next and probably last in my series of reviews of the new Kensei models. The Yoshitaka is sold out, before I managed to get my hands on one... I will probably take a look at the new generation of Kiyomaro though.
The Uryuu is an U-no-Kubi Zukuri katana. Historically, u-no-kubi zukuri is based on cut down pole arms. Usually seen on short swords, naginata were cut down to make wakizashi, and known as naginata naoshi. Today, there is much confusion , even among knowlegable people as to what exactly is naginata naoshi, unokubi , and kanmuri otoshi.
Basically a unokubi is a combination sword. The blade starts off as shinogi zukuri, and about 1/3 of the way transforms into the recessed shinogi ji form that is definitive of shobu zukuri, then, at the mune kado, transforms back into shinogi zukuri.
The slender mune , and swelling at the kissaki give it the name... which mean cormorant's neck, because the sword resembles the shape of that bird.
Specifications
Nagasa-------- 29.5 in
Tsuka-----------14 in with fittings
Motohaba-------1.25 in
Motokasane-----7mm
POB----------------4 in from tsuba
Sori-----------------.6 in
Steel----------------1070 water quenched
Weight ------------ @ 2.5 lbs
Aesthetics ; Fit & Finish
The sugata is U-no-kubi Zukuri, with no yokote. The hamon is unenhanced and is suguha. The boshi is komaru. The shinogi ji are mirror polished, and the ji are in practitioners polish, which basically means a dull satin.
The 14 inch tsuka is panelled in white same and wrapped in blue silk ito. The tsuba is steel , and a sunburst motif. The fuchigashira are darkened brass, in a stone finish, with brass shitodome. menuki are gold-colored dragons.
The saya is "tree bark" textured , meaning it a multi layer finish that creates a golden vein pattern to contrast with the black outer finish. The sageo is blue.
The tsuka is slim and pleasingly shaped, and secured to the nakago with two mekugi. There is no give or play in the mount, or the fittings.
The sword seats snugly in the saya , and does not rattle unless shaken unreasonably.
The only real issue I have with the fit and finish is the habaki. The habaki fit is not great. It is secure, it isnt loose, it does its job, but its just a bit wide for the blade.
Handling Characteristics
As as rule i dont care for longer tsuka. They feel cumbersome to me... awkward. So I was a bit surprised when the Uryuu did not.
The tsuka is pleasingly slim and shaped, and combined with the soft, tactile, silk ito makes a great interface for the sword.
The point of balance is in there at 4 inches from the tsuba, making the Uryuu pretty darn fast and agile...
In fact , the handling of the Uryuu, with its 29.5 inch nagasa, reminds me of the Kensei chisaigatana , a much lighter sword with a 24 inch nagasa
Cutting
I wanted to cut some bamboo, but havent had the chance. Hopefully i can go get some in the next couple of days, and then I will update.
I did , however, cut some bottles... and it was a pretty fun session. The Uryuu is very sharp... and is agile and quick.
I've never enjoyed cutting with a longer tsuka katana like i did this one...
I'm curious though, if the POB being so close will hurt its ability to cut harder targets like bamboo... I'll update in a day or so.
Meanwhile, watch some bottles die.... check out the cut at around 2:40... left the bottom of the top bottle on the stand...
The Good, The Bad & The Ugly
So , this is the critical section where i point out the flaws and imperfections of the sword. There are a couple of things to note here, and I will illustrate them with photos immediately following this section.
The habaki is not loose, but not well fitted either. The fuchi and kashira both are not quite flush with the ito...
Other than that, I have no complaints about the Uryuu.
Pros
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Cons
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Conclusion
The Uryuu is a good handling katana that is fun to cut with. Although there were some minor imperfections, they are not dealbreakers, and also really only apply to this one sword, and are not representative of the model as a whole.
If you like long tsuka, i think you'll like this sword, and if you dont, this one may win your heart anyway...
Its a decent sword thats worth looking at in the often underepresented U-no-kubi sugata.
Thanks for reading.
Review by Marc Kaden Ridgeway --------- 5 August 2009
Atlanta GA , USA
This is the next and probably last in my series of reviews of the new Kensei models. The Yoshitaka is sold out, before I managed to get my hands on one... I will probably take a look at the new generation of Kiyomaro though.
The Uryuu is an U-no-Kubi Zukuri katana. Historically, u-no-kubi zukuri is based on cut down pole arms. Usually seen on short swords, naginata were cut down to make wakizashi, and known as naginata naoshi. Today, there is much confusion , even among knowlegable people as to what exactly is naginata naoshi, unokubi , and kanmuri otoshi.
Basically a unokubi is a combination sword. The blade starts off as shinogi zukuri, and about 1/3 of the way transforms into the recessed shinogi ji form that is definitive of shobu zukuri, then, at the mune kado, transforms back into shinogi zukuri.
The slender mune , and swelling at the kissaki give it the name... which mean cormorant's neck, because the sword resembles the shape of that bird.
Specifications
Nagasa-------- 29.5 in
Tsuka-----------14 in with fittings
Motohaba-------1.25 in
Motokasane-----7mm
POB----------------4 in from tsuba
Sori-----------------.6 in
Steel----------------1070 water quenched
Weight ------------ @ 2.5 lbs
Aesthetics ; Fit & Finish
The sugata is U-no-kubi Zukuri, with no yokote. The hamon is unenhanced and is suguha. The boshi is komaru. The shinogi ji are mirror polished, and the ji are in practitioners polish, which basically means a dull satin.
The 14 inch tsuka is panelled in white same and wrapped in blue silk ito. The tsuba is steel , and a sunburst motif. The fuchigashira are darkened brass, in a stone finish, with brass shitodome. menuki are gold-colored dragons.
The saya is "tree bark" textured , meaning it a multi layer finish that creates a golden vein pattern to contrast with the black outer finish. The sageo is blue.
The tsuka is slim and pleasingly shaped, and secured to the nakago with two mekugi. There is no give or play in the mount, or the fittings.
The sword seats snugly in the saya , and does not rattle unless shaken unreasonably.
The only real issue I have with the fit and finish is the habaki. The habaki fit is not great. It is secure, it isnt loose, it does its job, but its just a bit wide for the blade.
Handling Characteristics
As as rule i dont care for longer tsuka. They feel cumbersome to me... awkward. So I was a bit surprised when the Uryuu did not.
The tsuka is pleasingly slim and shaped, and combined with the soft, tactile, silk ito makes a great interface for the sword.
The point of balance is in there at 4 inches from the tsuba, making the Uryuu pretty darn fast and agile...
In fact , the handling of the Uryuu, with its 29.5 inch nagasa, reminds me of the Kensei chisaigatana , a much lighter sword with a 24 inch nagasa
Cutting
I wanted to cut some bamboo, but havent had the chance. Hopefully i can go get some in the next couple of days, and then I will update.
I did , however, cut some bottles... and it was a pretty fun session. The Uryuu is very sharp... and is agile and quick.
I've never enjoyed cutting with a longer tsuka katana like i did this one...
I'm curious though, if the POB being so close will hurt its ability to cut harder targets like bamboo... I'll update in a day or so.
Meanwhile, watch some bottles die.... check out the cut at around 2:40... left the bottom of the top bottle on the stand...
The Good, The Bad & The Ugly
So , this is the critical section where i point out the flaws and imperfections of the sword. There are a couple of things to note here, and I will illustrate them with photos immediately following this section.
The habaki is not loose, but not well fitted either. The fuchi and kashira both are not quite flush with the ito...
Other than that, I have no complaints about the Uryuu.
Pros
- Love the saya
- Well Built
- Good Cutter
- Superb handling
- Nice geometry
- FUN!!
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Cons
- Shares same koshirae as several Kensei models
- Understated hamon
- fuchi, kashira and habaki a bit oversized
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Conclusion
The Uryuu is a good handling katana that is fun to cut with. Although there were some minor imperfections, they are not dealbreakers, and also really only apply to this one sword, and are not representative of the model as a whole.
If you like long tsuka, i think you'll like this sword, and if you dont, this one may win your heart anyway...
Its a decent sword thats worth looking at in the often underepresented U-no-kubi sugata.
Thanks for reading.
