The Shogun - Japanese Katana Pendant

The Shogun - a sword pendant inspired by the missing Honjo Masamune blade, a Japanese katana said to be without equal in quality and value, created by the greatest swordsmith in the Land of the Rising Sun - the legendary Masamune.

History has it that the Honjo Masamune was an exceptionally fine sword passed down from shogun to shogun throughout Japan's Edo period. Presumably named in part after Honjo Shigenaga, a 16th-century general who won the blade in battle, the sword was declared a national treasure in 1939. Ultimately lost in postwar Japan due to the West's requirement for Japanese disarmament, the sword is still missing, but leaves behind an unusual tale:

After the sword was turned in to a police station for collection in December 1945, the blade was apparently placed in the care of a US Army technician by the curious name of "Sgt. Coldy Bimore." The blade then disappeared, possibly melted down along with hundreds of other swords, or (more likely) retained as a war trophy by an American serviceman (being an exceptionally fine and noticeable example of Japanese sword craftmanship).

One explanation of the man's unusual moniker is that it was a garbled phonetic spelling of his real name: records show a "D. B. Moore" among the technical staff who dealt with the swords. Additionally, technicians in that role wore uniforms with three chevrons, leading them to often be misidentified as sergeants. If you add into the mix a limited Japanese grasp of English, and the technician saying something along the lines of "I'm called D. B. Moore" (or even "I'm Cole D.B. Moore") then the mystery starts to unravel, just a little.

But it's there the trail runs cold. The D. B. Moore on record passed away in 1979, and the sword itself is nowhere to be found.

Is it still out there? Could the Honjo Masamune be displayed on someone's wall in the USA, with its owner ignorant (or perhaps not so ignorant) of the Japanese national treasure they possess? Who knows. But it's a great story nonetheless. (You would-be treasure hunters better get cracking!)

At just over 2.7 in (7 cm) in length, this decidedly unusual piece will sit comfortably below your neck on a loop of your choice.

The sword point of this pendant is rounded for safer wearing (sorry Masamune). Necklace chains sold separately.

** 3D-printed jewelry made to order in a precious / semi-precious metal of your choice **
** Unisex style appropriate for both women and men **
** Arrives within 2-4 weeks of order worldwide **
** Perfect gift for the historically minded, lovers of swords, or those with a taste for the unique **