Dynasty Forge Bushi 1095 Dragon Theme Katana with Bo-Hi

The Bo-Hi groove on a katana is intended to reduce its overall weight without sacrificing much of its strength. As a side effect though, it gives the blade a satisfying and distinctively audible whoosh as it the blade geometry disturbs the air with its movement. This is the sound of Tachikaze – The Sword Wind. This design gives the blade a cross section similar to a construction I-beam – a solid and strong weight-reducing form.

Bo-Hi swords are popular with students as the Tachikaze sound differs when a blade is slicing the air at an improper angle, allowing the student with good ears an insight into the angle that he swings his sword.

The blade of the Dynasty Forge Bushi Bo-Hi Dragon Katana is crafted from 1095 high carbon. The sharp blade has been differentially clay-tempered for a hardened edge with a visible hamon, and a softer core of more flexible, shock-absorbing steel. The final polish on the blade was achieved by both machine and hand labor.

The dragon tsuba is of darkened brass with brighter brass detailing, as are the fuchi and kashira grip fittings. The habaki and seppa are of brass. The wooden tsuka grip is wrapped with rayskin and overlaid with black silk tsuka-ito. Two dragon menuki are wrapped beneath the tsuka-ito.

The wooden saya scabbard is coated with a black lacquer finish and has a matching black sageo cord. The saya has a cap of darkened brass with brighter brass detailing. The sword comes with a navy blue cloth sword bag.

Please Note: It is common for the lacquer finish of the scabbards to have minor cosmetic blemishing. Also, the Menuki may not match what is pictured as it is common for the manufacturer to use different menuki for different production runs. It is also common for the sword to be configured for a single bamboo mekugi peg to be used instead of two.