{"product_id":"newly-forged-katana-by-hirotsugu","title":"Newly Forged Katana by Hirotsugu","description":"\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eIn the sacred heartland of the Japanese sword, one craftsman is breathing new life into the blades of a legendary age.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHirotugu Manzoku\u003c\/strong\u003e — working under the swordsmith name \u003cem\u003eHirotugu\u003c\/em\u003e — was born in 1969 and operates his forge in \u003cstrong\u003eOsafune, Setouchi City, Okayama Prefecture\u003c\/strong\u003e, a place revered throughout history as the spiritual home of Japanese swordmaking. Under the tutelage of master swordsmith \u003cstrong\u003eAoki Moriye\u003c\/strong\u003e, he began his apprenticeship in 1998, earned official recognition from the Agency for Cultural Affairs in 2003, and subsequently established his independence. He honed his early craft within the storied forge of the \u003cstrong\u003eBizen Osafune Japanese Sword Museum\u003c\/strong\u003e before opening his own studio, where he continues to pursue his art with tireless dedication.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr class=\"border-border-200 border-t-0.5 my-3 mx-1.5\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eAt the heart of Manzoku's work lies the great tradition of \u003cstrong\u003eBizen Osafune\u003c\/strong\u003e — a school of swordmaking that flourished during the golden age of the Kamakura period and produced some of the finest blades in Japanese history. His recreation of swords in the style of the \u003cstrong\u003eFukuoka Ichimonji\u003c\/strong\u003e school stands as a crowning achievement: magnificent tachi featuring the bold \u003cem\u003einokubi kissaki\u003c\/em\u003e — a powerful, boar-necked tip — adorned with a vivid and lustrous \u003cem\u003echōji hamon\u003c\/em\u003e, capturing the very spirit of the master smiths who came before him.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eAmong his most celebrated works is \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSeikaiha\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e (\"Blue Ocean Waves\") — a remarkable blade forged from steel salvaged from the wreck of the \u003cstrong\u003eImperial Japanese Battleship Mutsu\u003c\/strong\u003e. A fusion of solemn history and consummate craftsmanship, this sword stands as a testament to what is possible when a swordsmith of rare ability confronts the weight of the past.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr class=\"border-border-200 border-t-0.5 my-3 mx-1.5\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eManzoku's signature style is immediately recognizable to the trained eye. His blades are distinguished by a \u003cstrong\u003evigorous gunome-choji hamon\u003c\/strong\u003e — a bold, undulating clove-blossom tempering pattern alive with \u003cem\u003enie\u003c\/em\u003e activity — and by the elusive, ghostly phenomenon known as \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eutsuri\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e: a faint, luminous reflection that drifts across the surface of the steel like mist on still water. Once thought to be a secret lost to time, \u003cem\u003eutsuri\u003c\/em\u003e is a hallmark of the ancient Bizen tradition, and its presence in a modern blade is a mark of exceptional mastery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eBeyond the long sword, Manzoku also crafts exquisite \u003cstrong\u003esmall knives (\u003cem\u003ekozuka\u003c\/em\u003e and utility blades)\u003c\/strong\u003e using the full range of his swordsmithing techniques. Prized for their refined appearance and superb edge retention, these pieces offer a more accessible window into the world of a true sword master.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr class=\"border-border-200 border-t-0.5 my-3 mx-1.5\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAwards \u0026amp; Recognition\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"[li_\u0026amp;]:mb-0 [li_\u0026amp;]:mt-1 [li_\u0026amp;]:gap-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc flex flex-col gap-1 pl-8 mb-3\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e2014\u003c\/strong\u003e — New Master Sword Exhibition: Effort Award \u0026amp; Newcomer Award\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e2016\u003c\/strong\u003e — New Japanese Sword Polishing \u0026amp; Mountings Exhibition: Bronze Prize, First Place\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e2018\u003c\/strong\u003e — New Master Sword Exhibition: Excellence Award\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e2019\u003c\/strong\u003e — Omamori-gatana (Protective Sword) Exhibition: Okayama Prefectural Board of Education Superintendent's Award\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eAnd numerous additional honors\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr class=\"border-border-200 border-t-0.5 my-3 mx-1.5\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eRooted in the sword capital of Osafune, carrying seven centuries of Bizen tradition in his hands — every blade forged by Hirotugu Manzoku is an act of devotion to a living art.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"TOZANDO KATANA SHOP","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42508409340099,"sku":null,"price":3000000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0491\/2178\/8069\/files\/hirotsugu.jpg?v=1692759457","url":"https:\/\/japanesesword.net\/products\/newly-forged-katana-by-hirotsugu","provider":"Tozando Katana Shop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}