#Fake katana for demonstrations movie

You must have had many difficulties in making the swords. That is probably why I felt like I was really carrying a sword. The balance and ratio of weight is probably very close to a real sword. In this movie, the sword blades were made from a specially reinforced alloy, which is used for swords in iaido demonstrations. But this time we wanted to respect director’s insistence on authenticity by making the swords as close to the real thing as practically possible. Usually the swords used in historical players are made from bamboo or aluminum alloy, which are easy to use in sword battles or for sword demonstrations.

#Fake katana for demonstrations movie

Are the swords used in the movie Musashi different from the metal fake swords used in sword battles and for decorative purposes? “… we wanted to respect director’s insistence on authenticity …” You made the sword not only for Kojiro, but also for Musashi, and Sawamura Daigaku (a senior vassal of the Hosokawa clan), Yoshioka Seijuro, all at Tozando. I did practice a lot, but during the shooting it was as though something came upon me, and I could swing it anyway I liked. When this long-sword was completed, the first thing I thought was “can someone draw a sword so heavy?” But I saw you easily swinging the sword and was quite astonished.

The various parts of the Japanese katana require many different specialised craftsmen who make the various parts like the tsuba, saya, sageo and so on. But when I held this long-sword called “monohoshizao” (laundry pole), I felt a sense of solidity holding it, and profoundness as I looked upon it. This sense of solidness, and profoundness…I have played all sorts of roles in historical plays, and each time held different swords. Wow, this brings back memories, May I hold it? I actually brought the sword used in the movie with me, as I heard I was having a discussion with Matsudaira-san. We made it with great care, not only for the appearance but also weight, balance, and design. Director Mikami is himself a practitioner of iaido, so he wanted something authentic. Because of that connection, he asked us again this time. Kimura: When director Mikami released the movie “Shundo” in 2013, we were chosen to make the sword for the role of Harada Daihachiro. How did Tozando get involved with preparing the swords used in the play? Matsudaira: When I played Kojiro this time round, the sword made by Tozando really helped in preparing for the role. Sasaki Kojiro’s Choto (長刀 – Long Sword), faithfully re-imagined as an Iaito by Tozando’s craftsmen. This time they discuss his sword and what went into its design and production. Previously our chairman Kimura Takahiko and famous jidaigeki actor Matsudaira Ken discussed the character of Sasaki and what it was like portraying him. We continue our previous article concerning Sasaki Kojiro’s infamous long sword the Monohoshizao and how it was brought to life for the silver screen in Mikami Yasuo’s ‘Musashi’.