Hoshikuzu Wakizashi (星屑) – Stardust

Hoshikuzu (星屑): the dust of stars

Hoshikuzu, literally “star crumbs”, speaks of the countless pinpoints of light that shimmer across a clear night sky. The word carries with it a sense of wonder at the vastness above.

This wakizashi draws on that image for its tsuba: a cluster of small circular piercings, like stars gathered into a constellation against blackened iron. The silver-toned fittings deepen the impression of nocturnal light.

A mirror-polished 1045 steel blade with bo-hi

The blade is forged in 1045 steel, a dependable medium-carbon steel that offers solid performance and straightforward maintenance. Its geometry follows the classical shinogi-zukuri profile, with a chū-kissaki point and a longitudinal bo-hi groove.

The surface is mirror-polished and carries no hamon, delivering a clean, high-gloss finish across the entire blade.

Black and silver-toned fittings

The mokkō-gata tsuba in blackened iron presents a smooth, polished (migaki) surface, pierced in ji-sukashi style with a cluster of circular openings, two hitsu-ana apertures and a rounded edge (maru-mimi). A gilt brass seppa accompanies it.

The fuchi and kashira are fashioned in smooth polished silver-toned alloy. The handle pairs wood with a black faux ray skin, beneath blue tsuka-ito braiding in hineri-maki, with silver-toned menuki. The habaki in gilt copper bears a floral motif on a gilt chequerboard ground.

A high-gloss black saya

The saya is crafted in solid wood, finished in a deep roiro-nuri black lacquer that evokes a night sky at its clearest. The koiguchi and kojiri are black throughout. The black-lacquered kurikata, set with gilt shitodome, holds a dark green cotton sageo.

Dimensions and handling of the wakizashi

With a blade of 51 cm and an overall length of 78 cm, Hoshikuzu carries the proportions of a true wakizashi, the short companion to the katana. Its 23 cm handle offers a comfortable one-handed grip with room for a supporting second hand. At 1 kg, it remains light and manoeuvrable. Measuring 80 cm in its saya, it is equally suited to solo display or alongside a katana.