Tamahagane Kogatana Forging Experience

Tamahagane Kogatana Forging Experience

Create a compact kogatana from tamahagane, the traditional steel associated with Japanese swordmaking. In this half-day experience, a swordsmith guides you through shaping an approximately 10 cm blade, applying clay to design the hardened edge, and quenching it to reveal a distinctive hamon.

The blade is fully sharpened after quenching and presented in a paulownia-wood box for you to take home on the day. A sheath is not included. Unlike the full-size katana and tanto plans, this accessible experience produces a compact blade within a single visit.

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Process

  • Learn Japanese Swordmaking
    Learn Japanese Swordmaking

    Learn how the materials and techniques of Japanese swordmaking are used for a compact kogatana.

  • Hizukuri — Shape the Blade
    Hizukuri — Shape the Blade

    Heat and shape the tamahagane into an approximately 10 cm blade.

  • Tsuchioki — Design the Hamon
    Tsuchioki — Design the Hamon

    Apply clay to the blade to influence the hamon that appears after hardening.

  • Yakiire — Quench and Finish
    Yakiire — Quench and Finish

    Quench and sharpen the blade, then take it home in a paulownia-wood presentation box.

VenueA swordsmith’s studio in Kameoka (25 minutes by train and 25 minutes by taxi from Kyoto Station)The exact address will be provided when your reservation is confirmed.
Duration4 hours
Items Included
  • Introduction to Japanese swordmaking culture and techniques.
  • Tamahagane for an approximately 10 cm kogatana blade.
  • Hands-on blade shaping, clay application, and quenching.
  • Final sharpening.
  • Paulownia-wood presentation box.
Items Excluded
  • Sheath.
  • Transportation to and from the studio.
  • Interpretation.
  • Meals.

Application

Your group
Experience39,000 JPY / person
Number of Participants
Interpreter25,000 JPY / group

This expert communicates in Japanese only, so an interpreter is required for the experience. If you will bring your own interpreter or can communicate in Japanese, please note this in the preferred dates and message field below so that we can adjust your invoice.

Preferred dates and message

This experience will be arranged based on your request. Please let us know your preferred dates. Questions or special requests are welcome here as well.

We will respond via email, usually within 24 hours.

Questions / Requests
Reserve