Zaza iaito katana, blunt (battle-ready)

Product description

Zaza is the Japanese word for bamboo. Because of its straight growth and its fresh green colour it symbolizes growth and purity. In the Japanese culture it is also a symbol for luck. The zaza iaito symbolizes the bamboo by its ornaments (tsuba, fuchi, menuki and kashira) and the golden bamboo leaves on the scabbard (saya).

This katana has a length of 102,5 cm with a blade of 72,5 cm and a grip (tsuka) of 29,5 cm. It weighs 1050 g. The blade is hand-forged of 420 stainless steel in the Shinogi-Zukuri style with a fuller and is blunt. The grip wrapping is made of black cotton in the classic Hineri-Maki style underlaid with genuine shagreen. It has a black high polish lacquered scabbard (saya) in the Kuroro style with golden bamboo leaves and closings (kojiri, kurigata, koiguchi) made of buffalo horn. The katana has a silk two-coloured band (sageo). It is delivered including a striking collectors box. This katana is used for the iaido sport.

The iaido sport is about the art of drawing the sword and uses fixed holding techniques (katas), but only as a formal exercise. Therefore a blunt exercise sword is used. Most important is the development of unity of body, spirit and sword (Ki-Ken-Tai-Chi). The highest degree is reached when a battle situation is mastered without drawing the sword at all.

John Lees models are inspired on historical originals and are high quality weapons. No plastics are used, only high quality authentic materials, like metal, brass, wood and shagreen. Every John Lee weapon is delivered including a seal and a certificate of authenticity.

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