Jumonji Shirasaya

I've always found jumonji very pleasing.   They are exceedingly difficult to forge and are prone to cracking at yakiire.   I was told of a tendency for yari in general to pop their tips off during quenching with potentially dangerous results.  Togi on such an item is also very expensive and requires great skill and patience.  Because there is no mune for the hand to   rest against during shiage there is a tendency for the thumb to progressively lose layers of skin and great care is required to prevent injury.

This shirasaya was finished recently with very pleasant results.  The cutting of the exterior of jumonji saya is almost entirely done with nomi (chisel) and yasuri (file).