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Tamahagane, the original steel used by the Japanese swordsmiths
Property Type: Japanese Sword Forging
Steel is iron that contains carbon, so the more carbon a steel has , the harder it is. Most of the Japanese sword smiths are working with the traditional steel that is better known as tamahagane. In Japan there’s only 1 official smelter left. This Japanese style smelter is called a tatara. The tatara relies on the propensity of very hot iron to combine with carbon in its vicinity to produce steel.
In the tatara, it is the burning charcoal that supplies the carbon. These typical Japanese smelter is made of clay, about 5 feet wide, 48 inches tall and 15 feet long, where it’s walls are 10 inches thick.
One operating cycle of the tatara takes 5 days. One day to build the walls (clay and sand), 3 day’s to smelt and 1 day to remove the iron out of the tatara. In this 5 days process , they need about 13 tons of charcoal and 8 tons of satetsu (black sand) to produce 2 tons of iron and steel, which is called Kera.
About half of this Kera is composed of steel ranging from 0.6 to 1.5% carbon and it is this portion that is called tamahagane. Only Two thirds of the tamahagane is of a good quality. The rest of the Kera can be used for forging swords if another separated forging operation is done, this process is called Oroshigane, where carbon is added or reduced.
Every time Tamahagane need to be made, the tatra needs to be rebuild. Its walls must be build out of clay bricks. The mixture that is used to make the bricks does contain a large amount of sand (silicon oxide) which makes the tatra resistant to fire and melting.
Since the forging process of a sword produces a continues loss of carbon, most of the smiths like to start with tamahagane that has an carbon content of 1.0 to 1.5% to forge the kawagane (jacket steel).
A billet of tamahagane t from the tatara furnace is very big (as you can see in the video) and includes various qualities of steel. The big ‘rock’ of Tamahagane is broken into many small pieces to check the quality.
From here on the smith can choose the right pieces and start the forging process of this katana.
This very nice video is showing the process of making Tamahagane
Tamahagane is also called Japan steel.Now only hitachi metals makes it in Japan.However Hitachi has the highest steel making technology,it is heard that this ancient method is oputimun of suprime sword.
Japan Steel also means the raw steel of samurai sword in Japan.
It is also called “tamahagane” which is made from chacoal and iron sand
by ancient blast furnace “tatara”.
One of a famous high-tech steel maker “Hitachi Metals” only makes it for japanese sword smith.But the way of steel making is real ancient one.
The ancient tatara is located in yasugi izumo shimane Japan where is the land of ancient japanese myth and Princess Mononoke.
This land of tatara is often related to japanese myth or Shinto.
The oldest japanese myth litareture “Kojiki” said that Imperial treasure sword “Ame-no-murakumo”(another name “Kusanagi”) was gotton by the iron and steel God “Susanoo” in this area.
And also Yasugi’s tatara was called “Yasukuni” tatara before the end of WW2.
Many soldiers with this steel sword died by this war, and it is thought that their souls exist in Yasukuni Shrine.
Is this the secret of japanese steel strength?
I wanna know more.
The authentic hard and high strength steels are made by this maker in Japan.
I hear that basic steels of Japan Industrial Standard is related to these steels.
In addition,the appreciation of Japanese sword was developed from strength inspection of non-destruction.It is big defference compared to Damascus sword. And wave pattern on sword surface is made not only by forging but also by quenching.
And also beautful wave pattern is controlled by raw material.So tamahagane is made by ancient steel making “tatara” which H.M. deal with.
Since living on Okinawa 1959 to 1962 I have been in love with the katana and Tanto. I am now able to purchase the “real Mcoy”. I hope! I recently saw a show on the Military Channel on the making of the swords from Tamahagane. Can you tell me if there is any way I might have a chance to purchase one and estimated price. This is why I say ” hope”. I have no idea of the price range. Thank you, Terry
Hi Terry,
It depends if you want a ‘new’ one forged to yoru specs or if you are looking for an ‘antique’ one. For a new one you can count on 7000 usd for a low class..an antique one you can sometimes find for 3000-4000 usd..
Dave
hey terry,
have you ever heard of the San Mai III technique of sword forging? It is where a high carbon steel is laminated between two pieces of lower carbon steel,, to allow for an amazing edge, as well as flexibility.
can you help me to understand the following
1. the metal folding process
2. how many folders are optimal
3. do more folder equal a better cutting edge
4.do more folds equal a higher embrittlement
5. what is the optimum steel grade to use as a starting point