This is our premier cutting sword! It has been called Kotetsu, Toshi, and the Hataya Sensei sword. By any name, it is the best cutting sword we have found. It was designed by Hataya Mitsuo Sensei and Kenpaku Yasutoshi of Sagamihara. It is a heavy cutter, but is well balanced and can be used for kata. Hataya Sensei believes that one sword should be usable for all aspects of swordsmanship and frowns on one purpose cutting swords. This sword comes with a great edge geometry and a polished surface that really performs. All kotetsu are unique and should be ordered by number.

The Kotetsu blade is hand finished in Thailand by students of Mr. Kenpaku. The tsuka, and saya are made from Japanese Honoki wood and is carved for each individual blade insuring a proper fit. The saya has a copper strip inlaid into the Ha side, between the kurigata and koiguchi. This provides protection from a bad batto cut.

The koiguchi, kurigata, and kojiri are hand crafted from water buffalo horn. The entire saya is finished in a deep traditional black lacquer. The copper habaki is plated in silver and has a decorative rain pattern. Each iron tsuba is hand fit to the sword, and varies in design from blade to blade. The fuchi / kashira are cast steel with a silver plate finish. The tsukamaki makes use of premium Japanese silk ito. The polish on the blade is an Iai polish which brings out the real hamon in each blade.

Strong and resilient, the Kotetsu is the preferred choice for many of the top ranked participants in both the US and Japan Batto-do Tai Kai's. The Kotetsu's performance has been outstanding even in the sword bending events of Dodan, Futomaki, and Yokonarabi.

This Kotetsu has an Axe Tsuba with rain pattern fittings and Lion Dog gold menuki.