Hyper-Cafe Japanese Sword Shop, providing the supplies and fittings for various Nihonto swords, as Shinken, Katana, Iaito, Nihonto, Gendaito, Samurai Swords, Tachi, Tanto, Wakizashi, and Antique Swords for martial arts for the practice of Japanese sword arts, iaido, Kenjutsu, aikido, kendo, Ninjyutu... Hyper-Cafe makes the efforts to expand the collection range of supplies and fittings, to satisfy the requirements of various Nihonto users, from polishing, Tsuka-Maki, to making Saya and Urushi finish, up on the requests and feedback from Nihonto fans, so the product range will be gradually and widely increased. Hyper-Cafe also adopts the buy-sell sites such as Koto, Shinto, Shinshinto , Gendaito and Shinsaku for Nihonto's fans.

Koshirae (mount)

Koshirae is the decoration or presentation of Nihonto, and most collectors are spending time and fund to Koshirae, in order to give a life to blade, associating with artistic fitting. Tachi mount type was started from Heian era (AD 800) and several different mounting styles; but, Tachi mount is still used in important ceremonial events in Japan as of today.
Handachi (half Tachi) mount was from late Muromachi era (AD 1500), known as longer war period. Tachi was used among mostly imperial related and higher rank Samurai, Handachi was widely used among mostly middle rank Samurai, in other word, Handachi might be called battle field mount, also Tachi or Handachi (Ashi-kanamono type) style mounting was preferred to use at horse back riding fight. Thus, ex-Imperial military in 1915-1940 also used Tachi or Handachi mounts, with Ashi-kanamono. During Edo era (AD 1615 - 1912), there were no war or major fighting, the mounting style became typical Katana style Koshirae.

Artful Japanese Chasing and material

The three major traditional Japanese chasing was applied to craft the Japanese sword fitting has:
1. Zogan (inlay): Zogan is not plating. Carve metal surface and insert other metal, in order to draw lines, patterns; but not cover entire surface. The artistic value will be higher.
2.Iroe (plating): Iroe is not painting. Usually use gold, silver, or copper alloy (copper, Bronze, Brass - Red to Yellow) powder mixed with mercury and apply small or large metal surface; then, evaporate mercury in burn out oven. But, it has been changed to use chemical reaction to plate from early Showa era, instead of evaporating mercury due to health reason. The artistic value will be high.
3. Oxidation: In order to generate "Shibumi" (frosted taste), oxidation techniques is applied.
On the other hand, the recent lower grade reproduction fitting is frequently used painting techniques to make patina such as black or copper/bronze/silver/gold metal color, using metal paint (available Wal-Mart and craft shops), which we do not handle at this site.

Japanese Sword fitting material
Traditionally, Iron (casting), Gold, Silver, Copper and Copper mixed alloys are used as the primary material to most metal fitting. Many different types of Copper alloy (see below) are adopted to create the complicated artistic tastes:
a. Ichibu-otoshi: Mixed silver (90%) and copper (10%), equivalent to coin silver (SV900), used widely such as Gin-Kazari-Saiku.
b. Shiro-Shibuichi: Mixed silver (60%) and copper (40%), close to silver color and maintain mechanical strength of copper, color is extremely mysterious.
c. Kuro-Shibuichi: Mixed silver (40%) and copper (60%), close to silver color and maintain mechanical strength of copper, color is extremely mysterious.
d. Shibuichi (Rou-gin): Mixed with silver (25 - 29 %), dark satin (whitish pink black) color is extremely mysterious, and also well accepted, and the highest value in copper alloy family.
e. Shaku-dou: Mixed with gold (3 - 9%), the oxidized color purple-black seems to be rich and well accepted. Shakudou was only used in Japan, and not used other countries. During AD 4th century, Japan had large amount of gold, and used much higher amount of gold, mixed with copper, called "Shi-kin".
f. Sei-dou (Bronze): Mixed with Tin (less than 10%), the color is vary, depends on the percentage of Tin (from reddish to golden yellow) use for major artistic objects. Japanese 10-yen coin is Seidou.
g. Tan-dou: Mixed with less than 0.05% of lead and zinc (Copper must be over 78 - 96%), beautiful golden color (looks like 14K - 18K gold), and flexibility were used in furniture, building, artistic objects.
h.Ohu-dou (Brass): Mixed with 30 - 40% zinc (Copper will be 60% - 70%), golden color and strength. Japan started using Brass from mid of Edo era for coin and volume production items after Dutch trading firm introduced in mid of 1700. Also called "Shinchu". Japanese 5-yen coin is Ohu-dou. (If Copper amount is higher than 71.5% must be called Tan-dou, or Seidou mixed with small amount of Tin.
i. Youhaku-dou: Mixed with Nickel and Zinc, the color is silver looks, used for decoration objectives, this was introduced later and rarely used in sword fitting. Japanese 100-yen coin is Youhaku-dou. Gold and Silver precious metal
Precious metal Gold and Silver are usually mixed with copper and use as jewelry products. The indication of gold is karat (K), and silver is SV to show the content of percentage of precious metal in most countries (see below table)

Reproduction fitting

Reproduction fitting became common from the mid of Edo era (AD 1700), due to significantly decreased war or battle. Under Tokugawa shogunate, Samurai held sword, but no chance to use (or blade never came out from Saya) in real war/battle, and limited number of Samurai job opportunities, which poor Samurai sold family treasure class fitting and swords, and substituted to reproduction fitting and fake swordsmith sword.
In early Meiji, ex-Imperial government prohibited to carry swords, the production of reproduction fitting was significantly reduced. However, after Japan-Russia war in Meiji era, the demand of Gunto or civilian sword for military purpose was increased. Once again, the production of reproduction fitting were increased.
Reproduction fitting are repeatedly producing on or after AD 1700 in Japan, and today producing in-and-outside Japan, and reproduction fitting is selling in antique shops, auction... under the name of original article or genuine antique; however, according to the professionals, over 50% of them seems to be the reproduction fitting; in fact, frequently seen the same design fitting in several antique shops, auction...
The difference among reproduction fitting will be primary material (silver, copper, bronze, brass, white-metal, Zinc, lead) and design. Patina/Inlay/Zogan will be vary, e.g. Silver(gold) Zogan looks were easily made by scratching a part of fitting in sterling silver (20K gold) bar, bronze or copper patina was most common and made by painting in metal paint. Thus, the primary material and design will make the difference by not only looks/real feeling, but also wear of patina or antique looks oxidation in longer period.

Common knowledge of Nihonto