Mukade Ni Katana

The successor to the Mukade has arrived in limited edition. Handmade by Ron Chen in his forge in Taiwan, the next iteration of Mukade will continue to awe and inspire practitioners and collectors for decades to come.

According to Japanese folklore the Mukade (giant centipede) is immortal and a sign of success in battle. Famed Shogun Takeda Shingen took the image of the Mukade for his war banner, along with the Furinkazan from Sun Tzu - “as swift as wind, as gentle as forest, as fierce as fire, as unshakable as mountain.”

This set is cast from the original metal work by renowned Japanese metal fittings artist Roman Urban. Concept and design by James and Christopher Williams of Bugei. Sword and fittings forged by Ron Chen, sole authorship.

The Mukade Katana flows in one smooth curve from the kissaski to the kashira flawlessly. The brown Japanese cotton ito grips gently in the hand as its intricately wrapped in katatemaki style around white same (ray skin). The long menuki feature the kanji from Sun Tzu mantra as well as give focus and firmness in the tsuka. The 14" tsuka allows for versatility in your grip.

To allow for strength and flexibility, the 29 7/8" blade is made from SN490 steel which is that same steel used in the construction of buildings in Japan that's resistant to earthquakes. The choji hamon pattern whisps across the edge of the blade to the habaki which is etched in the Rain pattern. With 3/4" sori, this blade will cut with resilience and strength. Housing this subtle yet powerful blade is a black laquered wooden saya wrapped in han-samemaki ray skin with a buffalo horn kurikata with brown cotton sageo. The fittings are cast from traditional shibuichi, which is an alloy of one part silver to three parts copper. This was one of the most prized materials for fittings due to it's beautiful range of patinas.

Few katana have ever been conceived with as much thought, input and collaboration from so many great and creative minds. With limited Mukade Ni Katana to ever be made, you will not want this sword to be lost to history.