Superior Hon Biwa Tanto (Loquat)

This "Hon Biwa" Tanto is made from a single piece of Loquat. The term Loquat (or Japanese Medlar) includes several subspecies, and the type of wood used for the production of this particular model is the one that has been used for hundreds of years in Japan for the manufacture of exceptional bokken. Wood is handpicked by Aramaki Yasuo, 3rd-generation Master from the Aramaki workshop. Extremely durable, highly resilient (shock resistant), incredibly well balanced and very pleasant to the touch, this weapon has only qualities even though its relatively lightweight eliminates it de facto from practice types such as suburi.
It is resolutely classical in its shape and length. It is the most widespread tanto standard that will suit all Aikidoka for their practice of Tanto-Dori.

Many legends exist about the Loquat, the most famous relates the story of a saber duel between two masters, one using a bokken made of oak, the other of Loquat. The fighter, wielding the oak bokken, refused to admit defeat after taking a few hits that did not incapacitate him; he left the field convinced of his superiority. The next day, he woke up covered in bruises and could not get up. Indeed, the softness of Loquat tends to promote the penetration of forces on impact, hence causing internal damage more easily, while harder bokken tend to hurt only on the surface.

Please note that due to the rarity of the wood and the limited release of this product, engravings are not available.