Specialized bokken of the old school (Koryu) Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto ryu in stunning and ultra rare enhanced all red heartwood with included single weapon stand, equally unique.
The founder of Kingfisher WoodWorks rarely spoke of his favorite bokken. No matter how crude or clumsy, he said he liked them all, but this was the one he kept at his bedside. Note the orientation in the image with the bed and headboard, tsuka to right. This is generally interpreted as a defensive or warlike presentation, an arrangement he rarely used. As he didn't like the idea of self protection with firearms perhaps he considered the Katori bokken (and this one in particular) as the ultimate defensive impact weapon against an intruder.
Indeed, this ultra dense Katori bokken with perfect geometry has a feeling of leverage and speed like no other. At 38 1/2" overall length, it can be wielded indoors, and with a robustness that extends all the way to the point, and weight of 24+oz, is as hard hitting as it gets. His personal makers mark dates the bokken pre 2022 but he rarely signed weapons after 2006. This one probably dates to the early development of the enhancement process in 2009 or 2010.
Inscribed on the left bevel "akebono", daybreak in kanji.
Equally unique is the stand of Adirondack Black Cherry. It supports one weapon with comma shaped uprights. This configuration is extremely rare among Kingfisher products and is included with the bokken.
Length overall 38 1/2"
Weight 25. 4 oz
Hi Brad I received the bokken and OH MY GOD, it is beautiful I almost don't want to use it, it looks so good. The jo and tanto are awesome too. One question on the bamboo tsuba, when I try to fit it, it got to 3/4 of the length of where it's supposed to be at the beginning of the tsuka. I didn't want to jam it in there forcefully, so is there a proper technique to install the tsuba? I'm assuming that I put an o-ring on each side of the tsuba. Makers response-Thanks so much! Tsuba are custom fit to individual bokken. They are intended to be a little snug at first however, they will seat into the transition ramp after a bit of use.
Hello, I'm mailing you to let you know i received the 42" aikiken i ordered near the beginning of the month. it is of the best quality i've ever seen. awesome, awesome sword, thank you! the grain on the chisel top is wild, changing color from light to dark with movement and the patterns within the wood make me feel like i'm handling a much more expensive piece of art. i hope to take care of it well enough to hand it down to my children! i can't wait to order another one of your wooden weapons. hopefully soon! - Andrew