IAITO

Standard Jidai Koshirae Iaito - Do not let the word standard fool you! We at Aoi work with high standards so even the standard models are finished to perfection using only genuine materials and traditional finishing. Along with the traditional dragon fuchi/kashira pattern, other features of this Iaito include genuine ray-skin (samegawa), and 100% cotton tsuka-maki. A choice between ishime or kuroro saya is available. Ishime saya has a textured mat black appearance and kuroro saya has glossy black finish with a natural lacquer. For tsuba, tsuru sukashi or kiku sukashi tsuba are available with the standard jidai Iaito. The tsuru sukashi is a crane with extended wings while the kiku sukashi is a chrysanthemum design and for both, sukashi refers to the cut out open work of the tsuba. With such features, theres no doubt that the Standard Jidai Iaito is a Beginners NO.1 choice!!

Expert Jidai Koshirae iaito - Gold and black fuchi/kashira, 6 tsuba to choose from and over 12 upgradeable accessories! - Just one of the reasons why the Expert Jidai Koshirae Iaito is a top of the line custom Iaito! From musya patterns on the blackened gold plated fuchi/kashira to the selection of our legendary hamon, the Expert Jidai has to be one of the most historical and customizable Iaito that we offer.

Elite Jidai Koshirae Iaito - Exclusive and Elite! A Selection of our full line of Hamon, six choices of tsuba, an assortment of upgradeable gold plated menuki, and a line of ravishing saya including the beautiful same/kuroro saya. With approx. 880g of Flex-Resistant Super Solid Alloy, ray skin and cotton in your hands, power and precision is vital. Such features allow for a fully customized iaito at a reasonable price.

Koto Jidai Koshirae iaito - Similar to the Elite Jidai in weight and balance, the Koto Jidai Koshirae Iaito is a great choice for committed iaido enthusiasts. The Bonji fuchi kashira is a Sanskrit carving which was mainly used by Buddhist monks in writing down prayers and are thought to be Holy letters. The character on the fuchi denotes the fire god and its significances is that is shows the right path for the samurai. The character on the kashira signifies the god that can protect the samurai from such things like perplexity, keeping away the wicked heart and rescue the samurai from hardships. Such characters were favored by the samurai. With 6 tsuba to choose from, and a wide assortment of menunki available, the Koto Jidai Koshirae Iaito is like jewelry in your hands! In addition, with the choice of genuine leather or silk, your tsuka maki is guaranteed to be durable, tough, and have a pleasant feel. A wide assortment of menunki is also available. The Sword smith behind the Koto Jidai is said to be the top of his class in Japan, when it comes to craftsmanship of Iaito.

Higo Koshirae Basic iaito - The Higo Koshirae Basic Iaito is a very popular Iaito amongst a variety of practitioners . A cotton tsuka wrapped over ray skin, complimented with antique style hana menuki, are just a taste of what the Higo Basic includes. Despite its simple presentation, the Higo Basic Iaito is crafted by a shinken toshyo (Liveblade Swordsmith); resulting in a highly perfected form and well balanced Iaito.

Edo Higo Koshirae Iaito - A simple tsuba and a subtle silver sakura patten is ideal for this type of sword that boasts natural beauty. With a full range of upgrades available, this Iaito is subtle and powerful.

Dotanuki iaito - At approximately 1080g, Dotanuki Iaito is a traditional heavyweight! For experienced Practitioners who desire a thicker blade and increased length, the Dotanuki Iaito is the heaviest in our product line. With an ishime theme, the Dotanuki includes an option of four hamon, three tsuba and three menuki.

Hiramaki Tensho Koshirae Iaito - This top quality Iaito is set apart from the crowd by its unique tsukamaki style. The central part of the tsuka, to just past the menuki placements, is wrapped in a plain, flat style, while the fuchi and kashira ends are wrapped in the more common hinerimaki. This gives the Hiramaki Koshirae a distinctive feel, unparalleled in other Iaito. That feel is further refined by the Ryodaiko style tsuka, which is tapered to a narrower waist, with thicker sections at the fuchi and kashira. Many prefer the smooth feel of this tsuka on their fingers, along with the ryodaiko style, and now you have that choice. The Tensho fuchi/kashira is hand-crafted of water buffalo horn, and perfectly complements the style and available options.

Shirasaya Iaito - Shirasaya means simply secure storage for a katana toshin. The plain, unvarnished wood breathes to prevent mildew and rust on the blade, so that a precious blade can be kept for long periods of time with minimal deterioration. Beyond all these practical reasons though, shirasayas are beautiful, and the craftsmanship by Aoi Budogu is beyond comparison. No Iaito enthusiasts collection would be complete without this made-in-Japan work of art!

Standard Higo Koshirae Iaito - Higo Koshirae Iaito features rounded kashira and kojiri. Created by Hosokawa Mitsuari family, the Standard Higo Iaito is well known for durability and highly sophisticated design. The Kagecho Sukashi tsuba features a traditional Japanese butterfly impression in an antique finish. A tachiyoroi menuki and rounded iron fuch/kashira are the perfect combination for an antique higo style Iaito. Two full strips of white ray skin are visible between the thick threads of cotton wrapping. One may choose either black or dark brown cotton tsuka-ito. Suguha or, the popular notare are available as custom hamon choices. The Iaitos saya is available in kuroro (glossy black), kuro-ishime (matte black) and cha-ishime (brown matte).

Katchu Koshirae Iaito - Katchu is a popular Jidai Koshirae; featuring menpou detailing. The samurai battle theme is complimented by sakura mokko (flower pattern on tusba). This type of Iaito was once held by only high ranking samurai! We have selected the Sakura Mokko in plain black, featuring a vertical line texture and two stunning siliver sakura flowers. In addition to the stunning tachiyoroi menuki and menpou fuch/kashira; the Iaito features white ray skin, wrapped in black or navy 100% cotton tsuka-ito. Saya choices include, kuroro (glossy black), kuro-ishime (matte black) or cha-ishime (matte brown.) One may choose either suguha or notare hamon on your iaitos toshin.

Ajirozasa Koshirae Iaito - The Ajirozasa Koshirae symbolizes purity through its grass bamboo patterns, featured throughout the iaitos tsuba and fuchi/kashira. The Take Sukashi tsuba is a delicate entanglement of bamboo grass; in an antique finish, with a bamboo grass menuki and fuchi/kashira to match. The fuchi/kashira boasts a golden bamboo grass basket theme. The tsukas white ray skin adds contrast to the brown or uguisu (light green) tsuka wrapping. Choose from kuroro (glossy black), kuro-ishime (matte black) or cha-ishime (matte brown) saya finishing and two hamon, including suguha and notare.

Yamazakura Koshirae Iaito - The Yamazakura Iaito, features Japanese mountain cherry sakura and ancient arabesque patterns. Sakura flowers are the national symbol of Japan. The iaitos Tsuba is tomoe and sakura sukashi, a graceful blend of tradition and beauty, finished in flat black. As an elegant touch, the Silver Sansho menuki resembles the Japanese Pepper flower. Detailing on the fuchi/kashira features arabesque sakura patterns. With three choices of saya, kuroro (glossy black), kuro-ishime (matte black) or cha-ishime (matte brown,) a 100% cotton black or azuki (red brown) tsuka-ito; there is no doubt that this Iaito is more than just semi-custom. Hamon choices, for the toshin include suguha or notare.

Takashio Koshirae Iaito - Takashio Iaito represents the power of a sweeping high tide; complimented by a dragon theme - a powerful contrast between water and fire. Dragon Sukashi - An antique finished dragon, coiled to form the intricate walls of the dragon sukashi tsuba. The matching menuki; makiryu (dragon,) antique in finishing, rests on white ray skin, below three choices of 100% cotton tsuka-ito - black, brown or uguisu (light green). The iaitos fuchi/kashira features a Takashio high tide wave relief in bright silver.Saya choices include - kuroro (glossy black), kuro-ishime (matte black) or cha-ishime (matte brown,) all of which include hitodome. One may select from suguha or doran (signature hamon) patterns on the toshin.

Kago Koshirae Iaito - The Kago Iaito features a wicker basket and pine theme in an anique finish. Contrasting detailing is repeated throughout the fuchi/kashira and saya. The Sakura Zogan Mokko is elegant and light weight in structure; finished in flat black. A Matsu (pine tree) menuki, in an antique style, compliments the wicker basket patterns on the silvery antique finished fuchi/kashira. Saya choices include kuroro (glossy black), kuro-ishime (matte black), cha-ishime (matte brown) or konro (glossy blue) and all the saya feature hitodome. Kago Koshirae includes two hamon choices - suguha or kunitsuna (signature hamon) and the option for black or navy tsuka-ito.