"When a common sword just won't cut it"

Cottontail Customs

Dai Yasude

giant millipede

Dai Yasude
大やすで打刀拵 – Daiyasudeuchigatanakoshirae

大やすで打刀拵 – Daiyasudeuchigatanakoshirae. “This sword was crafted as a tool for the just and compassionate to wield.
Dai Yasude was made in the image of the Giant Millipede, which plays an important part in the Eco system of our forests and in the cycle of life.
The Giant Millipede feeds on the dead and decaying plant matter along the forest floor, helping to clear away the dead while making a clean path for new life.The hamon on this blade represents the Millipede with its many segments and many legs as well as with its long and flowing shape. The tsuka also mimics the curves and segments of the creature’s body.
The menuki are key in the overall theme of this sword. The dead leaf signifies the past, the dead and the food source necessary to sustain the millipede. Dai Yasude feeds on the dead and decaying, or in this case, the past lives and by doing so provides a clean space for the souls to return.The mushrooms represent the spirits or souls.
It is said that if an honorable warrior is felled with this sword while in the hands of the just and compassionate, they will be given the gift of being reborn into a new life in exchange for their current one. Those fighting with malice or without honor will not receive this gift. The wielder must be the chosen one, the one capable of deciding which are deserving and must also be the one capable and willing to act as guide for their souls as they pass from one life to the next.

The construction took ages and countless incantations and blessings were bestowed upon it during the process. Under the mushroom menuki, an enchanted piece of parchment with the sacred characters for Spirit & Soul written on it was placed. Under the leaf, the character for Rebirth & Resurrection. In the hands of the Chosen shepherd, this sword will take life but in exchange for rebirth and a chance for a more peaceful life.” Read more of the story of this sword here 
This is a customized Huawei katana, please see sword stats below. The blade was lightly etched to better show the hamon.
What I did:Constructed new tsuka core from American Yellow Poplar. Added a hand cut and polished horn kashira in Tensho style and added a blackened iron fuchi. Added premium quality samegawa panels, lacquered black. There is also a top coat of red that can only be seen in direct bright light. Wrapped the tsuka in hand-dyed nubuck leather ito in a dark red with black edge accents. The saya was stripped down completely and 42 grooves were then carved by hand to represent the armored segments of the millipede. The saya has real horn koiguchi, kurikata and kojiri. It is painted in a dual texture finish, glossy for the main body and ishime on the collar for better grip. The grooves along the saya were also given a top coat of red that is visible when in direct bright lighting, mimicking the reddish tones on the giant millipede. The saya is adorned with a dark green chemical fiber kakucho weave sageo from Japan.

The hamidashi style tsuba is made of solid copper and was hand cut and polished by myself. It features multiple lobes to complement the undulating shape of the hamon. It is very thick (almost 1/4″) to offset the smaller size and help balance the sword. I finished it with a traditional rokusho patina. I also manipulated it while applying the patina to look more aged.

The seppa were also hand cut from solid copper and feature a coin edge and textured finish. They are finished in a rokusho patina.

The leaf and mushroom menuki were designed and made by me from copper and have the same rokusho finish. I couldn’t find any existing menuki that would fit my theme so I decided to make them myself. The pieces of paper with Japanese characters from the story were actually placed under the menuki as a fun little extra :)

The copper habaki was decorated with shallow grooves and finished in an antiqued rokusho finish.

Delrin mekugi

This sword represents a mix of styles and is not necessarily traditional, although some elements are. It is a fun and modern piece, yet is still a fully functional and deadly weapon. 

This is a very well balanced sword in my opinion. It is agile and extremely comfortable to hold while not feeling too light and there is blade presence, but without feeling too tip heavy. It is a powerful and quick sword with niku which will make it great for light to medium targets. The tsuba and tsuka were designed with achieving this overall balance in mind.

Sword Stats:

Steel – T10, Sharpened edge
OA Length – 41 1/2″
Blade Length – 27 5/8″ nagasa
Weight w/out saya – 2.41 Lbs
Weight w/saya – 3.09 Lbs
Tsuka Length – 11″
POB – approx. 5 3/4″
Hamon – Ogunome Choji with profuse ashi
Sori – 7/8″
Kissaki – Chu/ geometric
Motokasane – 7mm
Sakikasane – 4.5mm
Motohaba – 32mm
Sakihaba – 22mm

TOP