The Macao Museum was so impressed with the sword that they purchased the sword and placed it on display.

http://www.artmuseum.gov.mo/photodetail.asp?productkey=2005101501001&lc=3

" Han Wu Sword " is ranked # 1 in the "masters of fire" competition.

http://www.artmuseum.gov.mo/show.asp?prg_id=2005101501&language=3

Born in Longquan, the legendary city of sword makers for the last 2,500 years, Zhou learned the art of sword forging from his father. Renowned for his ability Zhou has created swords for some of China's top officials including Wu Lan Fu (the former vice president), and Xi Zhongxun (the Deputy Prime Minister). Currently Zhou is the curator of the Longquan Zheng Wu Sword Forging Institute and for the Longquan Sword Museum.

Chris Zhou Profile:

Mr.Chris Zhou 1968 Zhou Zheng Wu (Chris Zhou),was born in Longquan city (the city with a history of sword forging that stretches back 2500 years), in Zhejiang Province, China. 1988 Under his father's instruction, Zhou began studying the art of forging swords.He has gone on to forge swords for Wu Lan Fu,the former Chinese Vice Chairman, and Xi Zhongxun, The Deputy Prime Minister. 2001 Awarded the professional title of Arts and Crafts Master of Zhejiang in Zhejiang Province from the Zhejiang government. 2002 Founded the Zheng Wu Sword Forging Institute,where he lectures and produces traditional swords. This was also the location where he produced the first patterned sword. The sword was created using the traditional fold and composite forging. The sword was warmly received at the renowned Bo Dao Qi (complex fold up forging) Chinese sword forum. 2003 Awarded the Silver Prize by the Chinese Arts Association. 2004 Founded the Longquan Sword Museum, which features Longquan swords. Was awarded the Arts and Crafts Fine Work Prize and Excellence Prize for the Zhejiang Pro 2005 He participated in the Chinese Folk Arts and Crafts Exhibition and was awarded the "Prize of the Work of Nature". 2005 The Han Wu was the only opus chosen in China to be held in the Macao Art Museum. Masters of Fire 15/10/2005 - 15/1/2006 International Exhibition of Contemporary Blade smiths

This sword is one of only ten created. The sword has been forged authentically in the ancient tradition of Sam'mai, where the core steel (hard steel) is forged between two pieces of rough steel to give the sword incredible strength and flexibility. The hamon has been tempered with a clay covering giving it a very unique design. All the fittings and parts are genuine material. The balance of the blade is perfect and the sword is completely functional. This is a masterpiece of recreating the ancient Katana.

The Katana includes a Certificate of Authenticity, Silk Sword Bag, Extra Tsuba, Extra Seppa, Extra Mekugi, and Cleaning Kit.

This sword has gone through 6 different processes:

1. Rough Forging: The sword blade begins as an iron rich sand called satetsu. With smelting the smith creates a billet of high carbon steel and begins hammering out the steel. The hammering disperses the carbon evenly throughout the steel giving uniform strength to the finished blade.

2. Rough Shaping: While the steel is still soft the smith begins to give the sword its basic dimensions. During this process the blade is still straight.

3. Clay Covering: This step is essential to giving the sword a hard edge while still maintaining its flexibility. to achieve this a clay covering is applied by hand to the whole blade. A thin coat is used to cover the edge of the blade, and thick coat for the rest of the blade. When the sword is quenched the edge cools much more quickly than the rest of the blade. This results in the edge being much harder than the rest of the sword.

4. Quenching: Quenching is basically taking the sword from the forge while still hot and cooling it with water or oil .The quenching of the blade gives it its hardness and curve. The curve of the blade is a result of the differential hardness from the clay covering. It is also during this time that the hamon becomes visible on the blade.

5. Sizing: During this process the curve of the blade is a adjusted to find the optimal balance point and point of percussion. The flaky oxide film (or scale) is removed from the blade and the habaki is fitted. Typically the blade is rough polished at this point.

6. Finishing: This is the last step of the forging. The blade is polished down to bring out the hamon and ridge line. The polishing is an art form all to itself and is bring out the beauty and intricate detail of the blade.

YASHA

Musashi Logo Series No. Prouduction Date On the Tang

*Crafted by the Longquan Famous sword master Chris Zhou *With signed certificate *Real Hamon(Temper Lines) Samurai Swords *Blade have two different hardness(Ha & Mun) *Ha (57RC) & Mun (40RC) *Blade can be bent up to 30 degree *11"Tsuka *Real ray skin handle *Free Silk/Cotton high quality sword bag *Free silk w/wrapped wood gift box *Free custom cleaning kit *Free extra brass tsuba

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE KASHIRA NOW COMES PLAIN WITHOUT THE LEAVES

Attributes of the Weapon:

Blade:The blade of the sword has been authentically hand forged and can bent up to 30 degrees without affecting the integrity of the blade. This is a result of the significant difference in the HRC from the Shinogi (40 HRC) and yakiba (57). To create this the blade has been hammered out thousands of times and carbon added to give uniform strength to the entire blade.

In addition the blade has also been constructed in a San'mai lamination. This process occurs when two types of steel are combined together; in this case the core steel and edge are hard steel (Hagane) sandwiched between two pieces of medium steel (Kawagane). This is a painstaking process that requires a master smith.

Further more, to insure a hard cutting edge the blade has been treated with a clay covering. This allows the blade to be differentially heated and cooled so that the edge is significantly harder than the rest of the blade and retains a sharper edge. The blade features a bloodline, o-kissake, and comes razor sharp.

Saya (Scabbard): The scabbard is hard wood with a black lacquer finish and black silk sage-o.

Tsuba (Guard): The habaki is copper mounted over an oxidized copper seppa. The Tsuba is in a Maru Gata style with the Kozuka-Hitsu-ana and Kogai Hitsu-ana. The Tsuba has a cut out design with golden birds inlaid around bamboo. The Fuchi is also inlaid with golden leaves on bamboo.

Tsuka (Handle): The Tsuka is hardwood over the tang with a ray skin Same and black silk Ito (cord wrap). Sakura Menuki are on each side of the Tsuka. A single Mekugi secures the tang. The Katana comes with an extra oxidized Tsuba of the Japanese Kami Bishamon (the god of war).

Free $255 bonus items:

1. Musashi Kabuto Helmet Samurai Legend Sword Stand. Retail Price $120.

2. Musashi Japanese Fan w/ Stand. Retail Price $25.

3.Sword maintenance kit. Retail value $45.This Sword Cleaning Kit contains blade oil, an oiling cloth, small copper hammer, a powder ball for blade polishing and a plastic bottle. The kit is contained in a fitted wooden box and full maintenance and handling instructions are included.

4. A blue silk lined luxurious sword carrying bag. Retail Value $65.