Instructor Kutz' Weapons Photos Archive

Naginata - I already had a blade and guard for this weapon, but I made the brushed steel parts for reinforcing the shaft and the butt cap. These were then hand fitted to a new shaft.

Tsuba - The sword guard is made of steel with a chocolate brown patina and features a design of orchid flowers, blossoms, and leaves. The design is three-dimensional so that the back side of the guard features the underside of the flowers and leaves.

Fuchi/Kashira - The end caps for the sword hilt are made of steel and have the same flower pattern and patina as the guard. They are shown here with some chrysanthemum hilt ornaments (Menuki) that I purchased from Fred Lohman Company.

Blue Dragon sword (Ch'ong Ryong On Wolto) - This entire weapon was hand crafted. The blade extends from a dragon-head guard that is made of steel with a dark patina. The butt end of the shaft is fitted with a four-sided point.

Steel Fan - The inner ribs of this fan are made from hanging file folders. The outer ribs are made of 3/16" steel with cut-out calligraphy forms of the Hanja "Heuk P'yo" (the Black leopard). The ribs will eventually be given a chocolate brown patina and the covered with an off-white silk.