Hyourinmaru (Snow Run)

Dimensions :
Blade Length: 100 cm (39,4 inches)
Handle Length: 30 cm (11,8 inches)
Total Length: 130 cm (51,2 inches)

Finally it's here ! The 4th sword I made and with a totally new process.


Now the improvements :
Dissassembling katana
This time the katana can be disassembled like a real one as you can see on the pictures.
Nearly no power tools
It was made with less power tools than previous one as I only used a jigsaw for cutting (still can't find myself cutting such length of wood with a handsaw ...). So except for the cutting part, all the rest was done without power tools !
Lined scabbard
The scabbard is lined with fabric so the paint is not scraped when (un)sheathing. It's a big improvement as the previous ones have their blade paint screwed with (un)sheathing ...
Ray skin
I found some nice pseudo ray skin paper. And it had a nice touch under the ito
Better tsukamaki
I think that the tsukamaki is better done this time. Besides it's more tight so it will move less overtime !
Different type of wood
For the previous ones, I used striped pine wood. This time I used ayous wood. It's a lot more light and flexible (the blade is really flexible so it's a little strange but nevermind ... )
The stripes in this wood are more profound and therefore stay even after painting. I didn't like this at the beginning but now I think it adds a nice design on the blade, etc


And the things I want to improve for next try :
The painting
Next katana will have a tampered edge ! Had problem finding a right paint color for this time ...
Carved tsuba
I still use Master Chioky's technique with MDF wood and balsa details glued on it for this katana. Next time I'll try carving for the details on the tsuba !
Bo-Hi
From the images I saw, Hyourinmaru doesn't have a Bo-Hi so I didn't add it. But the next katana I make will have one I think. Really like what a Bo-Hi add in terms of looks !
Maybe carved habaki instead of my layer technique
Piratecaptain added his habaki tutorial after I made mine so I didn't used it but i'll try doing it this way next time I think


Still need to work on one thing : the belt holding the scabbard. I need to create the sun-like piece on the belt. I will post another shot when it's finished



For those who don't know it, it's the Zanpakuto used by the captain of the 10th division of Seireitei, Toushiro Hitsugaya from Bleach.
It will be part of my Toushiro Hitsugaya cosplay for Chibi Japan Expo on 31st october 09. Next work the cosplay itself ^^


From a time point of view, it's around 50-60 hours of work for this katana (not counting paint drying time)


Like last time, special thanks to , and for their tutorials !

P.S. : Download for bigger view - I may create an even bigger image if some people want

© Bleach : Tite Kubo