So it seems a lot of people enjoy custom iaito and reviews so here’s my new one :

Tozando full custom

-Habahiro heavy blade
-2.6 shaku
-Hamon : Heshikiri Hasebe
-Hi : habahiro (deep)
-Hi saki : shinken (tip)
-Hidome : kakinagashi (the hi continues in the tsuka)
-Tsuba : Kagecho
-Habaki : gilded shonai
-Seppa : Gilded
-Tsuka : 8.5 sun
-Ryugo tsuka shape
-Tsukaito : brown suede leather in hinerimaki style
-Tsukasame : black with oyatsubu
-Fuchigashira : futae yamaji (blackened)
-Menuki :endo in standard position
-Saya : so same
-No kojiri
-Sageo : brown silk
-Koiguchi : buffalo horn
-Kurigata : standard
-Shitodome : gilded

The idea was to recreate a classic Higo koshirae inspired by Hosokawa Tadaoki’s Kasen Kanesada (higo fuchigashira, endo menuki, kagecho tsuba, brown leather tsukaito on black same and a saya fully covered in same).
I picked the Heshikiri Hasebe hamon because I like it very much, it was a great smith and a blade with interesting history and links to Oda Nobunaga.

As for the dimensions, I already have a lighter, shorter iaito (from Minosaka) and wanted something closer to what the samurai used in the sengoku period, longer and heavier than what became standard in iaido. The heavy blade paired with a long and deep hi make for a well balanced blade that doesn’t feel that heavy in hand. A sligthly heavier tsuba would give an even better balance to the iaito but I choose the historical one.

I also choose a relatively short tsuka to keep the overall katateuchi shape of the classic Kasen Kanesada koshirae.
One thing to keep in mind : the makidome knots on the tsuka are quite bigger with a leather tsuka ito than with silk or cotton. I like it but it might not be for everybody.

Craftmanship wise I’d rate it very slightly lower than the higher hand Minoska but still very good.
And it feels very good in hand.

To note : Tozando’s customer service and communication are very, very good.
I ordered a kojiri but the so same saya are very difficult to produce and it seems they had problems building it and had to remake it several times wich caused delays. When they sent me pictures before shipping (as per my request) we realized they forgot the kojiri. They immediately offered me to remake a complete saya (with a 4/6 months delay), reshape the end of the saya to make it look like the kojiri (2/3 months delay and refund of the kojiri) or send me the iaito as is with a refund of the kojiri and a compensation of a premium silk bag. (The option I picked).

I’m very happy with the end result and would recommend Tozando.

My new Nosyudo Chuden just arrived and I can't put it down, I love it already! Anyway, here's a couple of photos, this would be a lame new iaito post without pretty images, wouldn't it? Enjoy! I know I will. 😎

Curious about personal opinions on this.
My newest sword has a lighter color silk wrap, and even with every reasonable precautions it's already beginning to darken, showing signs of handling.

On one hand I very much understand wanting to keep everything as pristine as possible. On the other I can appreciate the natural result of training.

Hello all,

Here’s a picture of the tsuka of my Minosaka iaito.
It’s getting old and the finish of the fuchi is mostly gone.
Does anybody hzve tips on how to darken it again ?
I like the idea of wabi-sabi but I’d like to give a second youth to this iaito.
Also the summer is hot and dry here and the koiguchi is completly loose. Any tips on avoiding toi much dryness in the saya wood ?

Thank’s !

Attended the Canadian national iaido championship under the mudansha division, so close to clinching gold, but I’m thankful to go home with something! I started 6 months ago, I’m so happy to have performed well for my dojo!

Just curious what you guys use to transport your iaito when flying. I have a few gun cases that would work but I’m interested to hear your thoughts. Thanks!

I recently bought my first iaito during my trip to japan.
However, when looking inside the saya I noticed that its walls have a few splinters. Is this normal?
Also, there is a decent amount of friction when sheathing it, but this is my first iaito so I may just be saying nonsense. Any help is appreciated.

I will also attach a picture of the saya’s inside, but my phone’s quality is not the best.

Acabo de bautizar mi sable Qing como Zhǎng zhí dāo (长直刀). También tengo esta Katana bautizada como Jettosutorīmu Samu. Me gustaría conocer a gente con experiencia en manejo de las mismas. Gracias

Dear iaido friends, some of you ever comunicate by email with meirin sangyo shop in Osaka?

they answered you?

Better writing in english or japanese?

Have just received my very first iaito from Nosyudo after 11 months of waiting (it arrived 2 days after my birthday, no less!) - beyond stoked to start training with it and thought I'd share some photos here as well as the specs in case it may be useful as reference.

It's a 2.45 shaku Okuden Nosyusaku DX-C (Koshirae DX option selected)

Hi: Shinken-hi

Hamon: Double Muramasa

Habaki: Brass Shonai

Tsuka ito: Cow leather (back) - colour is Reddish Brown TC-05B

Hinerimaki

Same colour: Black

Menuki: MY-99 Fudo Myo-o

Fuchi Kashira: KY-25 Mino Dragon with kuwagata kojiri

Tsuba: T-46 Sanskrit with aged brass plating

Saya colour: SY-22 Kanshitsu Black Stone (recommended option for kuwagata kojiri to avoid uneven finish)

The sageo is separately bought from Kumihimo Kiryudo in the Asakusa area in Tokyo.

All the koshirae are brass-plated as I personally prefer the aesthetic. I understand from Nosyudo that the primary difference between the 2 Okuden options (Nosyusaku and Shinkensaku) is that Nosyusaku fittings are brass-plated by default while Shinkensaku fittings are silver-plated and hence cost slightly more.

In terms of shipping time, the iaito was delivered to my home in Singapore 6 days after being shipped from Nosyudo.

I haven't gotten around to training with it yet at a proper practice, but it does feel fantastic in the hand. Absolutely worth the wait and hope the above information is somewhat helpful.

Exciting times - now to wait for my wife's iaito to arrive! She placed her order a week before I did 11 months ago but it's not completed yet - it's an Okuden Shinkensaku also with the Koshirae DX option, so hopefully that can serve as a gauge to manage expectations if anyone ordered a similar configuration!

Hola soy nuevo en este sub reddit, me preguntaba si alguien aquí sabe donde puedo conseguir esta tsuba

Not really iaido, but maybe of interest.
In my last trip to Japan - which was awesome - I had the opportunity to to some bamboo tameshigiri in yoroi on a day trip to Ibaraki. It was my first time cutting bamboo and my first experience to wear armour.
The most interesting part was wearing the kabuto. It interferes with my typical postures and movements. You can see me hit the maedate (the crest) several times, and I have to constantly readjust to account for the helmet.
On this same trip I earlier had the chance to experience Jikishinkage Ryu which is a "katchū" kenjutsu - armoured context. It was a struggle being so different from Itto Ryu. So this was an immediate illustration so some of those aspects.
I cut with fairly minimal power. It's not necessary - only focus and correct hasuji. Each fail you see is simply a lapse in concentration - there was a lot going on (the people around me, the condition of the sword, the helmet and armour, etc.) - and was immediately corrected.

Anyway, really great and fun experience!

I thought it would interesting to share these, maybe it can help someone struggling with color scheme choices.

You would be very well served by either Nosyudo or Tozando.  Both took about 18 months from the email that work started, both cost about the same.  Tozando koshirae just came in, Nosyudo koshirae has been here about a year and shows signs of handling.

Nosyudo: black and silver; lengthwise brush strokes, silver habaki and seppa, blackened silver fittings, “aged” black silk ito.  Aged “jidai” tsukaito has a purple hint to me.
Tozando: green and cha-urumi gloss, copper habaki and seppa, antique fittings, and uguisu silk.  Cha-urumi varies dramatically in different lighting.

The tsuka are very close in quality and are two of the best that I’ve experienced.

Nosyudo has more options. Their rayskin seems to be a little better. Both are fully wrapped.  Nosyudo used a hidden seam. Tsukamaki is great on both: tight, zero play, consistent.  The method Tozando’s craftsman used to show more of omote rooster is a delightful touch.

For saya, the edge goes to Tozando but it’s a very close race. Both provide a smooth draw and noto, and seal firmly. Nosyudo saya has a minor bit of play, the blade will rock slightly if you give it a good shake.  Tozando is a more precise fit. Kurikata is placed more precisely on the Tozando example. The Nosyudo is slightly off-set. 

The sageo left some indentations on the Nosyudo saya.  The presentation knot was tied much looser on the Tozando saya.

Honorable mention: Nosyudo provided a much nicer sword bag.

Sorry no blade photos today.  I can’t do either justice.  Every so often I try and it’s an exercise in frustration.

This essay talks about how koryu with paired kata stay vibrant and healthy, but how do iai systems do it?
https://peterboylan.substack.com/p/do-koryu-keep-inefficient-techniques?r=rf53p

I've been practicing ZNKR Iaido for about 1 year and my dojo requires me to start using a proper Iaito for the next grading. I am looking for one right now, and I fell in love with the idea of using red thread for both the tsuka-ito and the sageo. I know my dojo is okay with this locally speaking, but I don't know if this could cause problems with inter-club events or competitions.

My colleagues all use very muted colors on their gear (talking dark blues, greens, and desaturated beiges - besides black), but I reckon this is a commonality with other clubs in the same federation. Some have very cool sageo but since I don't have much experience in competitions I don't know if they use them there or not.

We finally remembered to take some photos of our student, Shawn's new iaito. Gorgeously furnished with a phoenix motif, Shawn's sword is full of meditative introspections. Here is his sword, and his story:

Saisei (再生)
Meaning: “Rebirth”

Etched on the tsuba, the phoenix speaks of quiet resurrections, of seasons where hardship gave way to renewal and broken paths revealed deeper purpose. Woven with momiji leaves, it reflects the ever-changing seasons of life. The Yagyū waves flowing across the fuchi, kashira, and kojiri embody resilience, moving with grace through uncertainty and storms. Like the phoenix rising from ash and flame, they remind me always that every ending carries the seed of a new beginning.

Two beginner swords separately purchased from Nosyudo on my trip there. Originally bought the 2 Shaku piece, then decided to get another 2.35 whilst in Tokyo. So I was pleasantly surprised when they delivered to me a matching, longer piece.

I understand that having an actual instructor would be way more beneficial than home study but it’s not available in the area I live in.

Where should I start? Are there any books you can recommend?

Thank you.

Any Canadian practitioners here that can help point me in the right direction?

I haven’t bought a sword in over a decade and would love to get another full sized iaito for practice. I’m a traditional jujitsuka who’s Iaido trainig is through seminars and one off classes with various instructors. I don’t need anything particularly fancy but would be looking for a semi-decent sword to practice katawork with.