Furuyama Reviews

Sensei Kelsoe's Evaluation
Austin Bujinkan Tanemaki Dojo

Visit Kendall's complete review

To begin with, the sword makers of these blades mostly have created them for the Japanese Suemonogiri (cutting) market, and the dimensions are proportionally smaller than martial artists of taller stature. The tsuka (hilts) are much shorter than I prefer, but these are prototypes, and my opinions do get put in the mix for future versions. I went through the entire Happo Giri (eight basic cuts) and performed several Ni Te Giri (two handed cuts) and Ichi Te Giri (one handed cuts) to put all these swords through their paces. I also worked on several iaijutsu (fast draw cutting techniques) and a few tsuki iri (forward thrusting). Please note that no two swordsmen will necessarily prefer the same style of sword, and this is very true in my case. I am well over six feet in height, and over 250 lbs. Like Charles san, I also am of Scottish ancestry. With my bloodlines also including Norse and Irish heritage, I feel a strong propensity towards powerful cuts and robust weaponry. My evaluations tend to reflect this.
 

Ni Ring Shinken
I favor this blade for the simplicity of the blade and fittings. Very light and quick, with very good balance. I was pleasantly surprised how easy my first cut was with this sword. I very much like the slight sori (curvature), which I prefer for it's better ability for tsuki (thrusts). One student went a bit too far on his ten chi giri (heaven / earth cut) and banged into the metal screws of the cutting stand with the kissaki (point). The kissaki was only slightly damaged, and it was very easy for me to repair the point back at my home using my Japanese waterstones. This is very useful information for me! This katana lives up to what I think a "social" katana should be. Light, quick and very fast for wearing in an everyday situation while not wearing armor.












 

Hanayasha Shinken
Taking this sword out of it's fukuro ken (sword bag), I exclaimed that this was a sword for battle! Much more robust, stouter and heavier than the Ni Ring or Hayabusa Shinken, this is a blade more useful for the stronger martial artist. The tsuka really needs to be much longer to better improve the balance. A longer tsuka would also improve the stability and enable the wielder to take full advantage of the heavier and stronger blade in battle. I think of this sword as best suited for combat on an ancient battlefield, against armored opponents. I agree with Christa san that the hi (groove) could stand to be shortened. The deeper sori (curvature) provides a very dynamic cutting ability. All I really had to do was set this sword in motion, and it did all the work for me. Not a sword for the more subtle style of swordplay, but rather a beast of great power and ferocity.

 

Hayabusa Shinken
This sword is very much like it's namesake, a bird of prey! Very fast and light, I found it to very useful for me as a one handed sword. Easy to both get and keep in flurried motion. This katana would work exceptionally well against multiple attackers. I liked this sword because all I had to do was merely think about what I wanted to do, and it flew to it's purpose in an instant. This is the first tsuka wrapped in suede leather I have ever used, and I liked the firm grip it provided. Very comfortable to cut with. The Hayabusa performs better as a slashing sword than a powerful cutter, and I would also use this sword in Nito Waza (two sword techniques). I agree with Christa san that an inch or two increase in the length of the tsuka would make a drastic improvement. A sword of great subtlety, speed and very easy to control.


 

Overall Conclusions
These swords cut very well, and showed little scuffing. They did not warp or nick when cutting omote tatami, plastic water bottles and goza. They are well suited for the martial artist that practices the arts of Iaijutsu (fast draw cutting), Battojutsu (sword drawing arts), Kenjutsu (sword fighting arts) and Suemonogiri (testing cutting skills).