Three Last Legend Katana

A smattering of Last Legend Blades.

Look here to find more info http://www.lastlegend.com/05kat/05kat.htm

Shin Kuma

This is a Last Legend ShinKuma. There were a number of different series blades and my best guess is that this is among the 4000/8000 series blades. Their highest end pieces. While this example has seen better days, it shows the features of what was once among the nicest reproduction swords available for its time.

Handle/Tsuka Length: 12”
Blade/Nagasa Length: 28” (without habaki)
Sori: .969”
Moto-haba: 1.316”
Motokasane: .319”
Saki-haba: 1.069”
Sakikasane: .241”
Weight: 2lb 12oz
POB: 5.25” from tsuba
MSRP: approx $1000 (circa 2006)

What makes this one special?
Today you could buy a better sword for the same money. There are great swords around now and for what this used to cost, your money goes a lot further. That said, this is an uncommon shape that you don’t see today. It has a deep sori (curvature) and a high shinogi. It is a hefty cutting blade that with some elbow grease could be a good training tool. At nearly 3LB and only 28” and a 5” POB, it feels stout in the hand. Still maneuverable but very authoritative in the cut.

Yashima 2000

The Yashima Nohara Grade 2 is what I believe this blade started as. It was supposedly made of differentially hardened 1095 steel.

Yashima blades used to be described as “Keicho Shinto style blades with some koshizori, full niku, a significant taper from machi to yokote, and a longer chu kissaki. In the hand, the Yashima feels like a Kamakura era fighting blade that has been reduced in length for the Shinto fighting styles.”

This example has had the handle redone. The tsuba, fuchi, kashira are different than what would have been originally provided. The shape of the tsuka and ito tightness are a significant upgrade in my opinion. This particular example looks like it was used for quite a bit of training given the signs of handling on the ito, however, it is still tight and in good shape overall.

Handle/Tsuka Length: 9.5”
Blade/Nagasa Length: 28.75” (without habaki)
Sori: .508”
Moto-haba: 1.190”
Motokasane: .303”
Saki-haba: .840”
Sakikasane: .213”
Weight: 2lb 5.5oz
POB: 6.25” from tsuba
MSRP: approx $400 (circa 2006)

Why get this?

Perhaps you have some nostalgia for Last Legend or maybe you are looking for a training blade that specifically has a small bit of koshi sori. This blade is somewhat pricey for what it is. I think you could buy something new that would perform most tasks better but admittedly this shape is uncommon today. The difference is subtle but it is there for those that notice or want it. It could be a nice blade with some spit shine but it will take more effort than it is worth.

Yashima 4000

The Yashima 4000 namesake version “Yashima” is the quintessential version of this sword. This version was supposed to come with 8192 layer folded steel, differentially heat treated. The tsuba depicts a scene from a battle fought in the Gempei war. This one also came with the optional rattan wrapped saya which was an upgrade to the normal unit.

Handle/Tsuka Length: 10.5”
Blade/Nagasa Length: 29” (without habaki)
Sori: .654”
Moto-haba: 1.177”
Motokasane: .301”
Saki-haba: .780”
Sakikasane: .208”
Weight: 2lb 8.6oz
POB: 5” from tsuba
MSRP: approx $1000 (circa 2006)

Why get this?

Perhaps you have some nostalgia for Last Legend or maybe you are looking for a training blade that specifically has a small bit of koshi sori. This blade is somewhat pricey for what it is. I think you could buy something new that would perform most tasks better but admittedly this shape is uncommon today. The difference is subtle but it is there for those that notice or want it. If you are a collector of swords and fancy adding a Last Legend katana to your collection then this is one of the cornerstones of the assortment they once offered. If one were to have a Yashima series blade in their collection then this would be the one to have.

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