Hikaru's Mission

By : Bella Ton (black),

Noah Tran (dark blue),

and Felina Maestas ( pink)

Long long ago during Medieval Japan, there was a blacksmith named Hikaru. He was in the social class of peasants and artisans, but he was not at the bottom. He usually wears a short sleeve Kimono-like garment called Kosode and wears a leather apron on top of it when he works. He lived in the Hoshido village and worked at a blacksmith workshop near Mount Hiko. One day, he was asked to make a huge order for the Taira clan that could change his life forever.
On one foggy morning near Mount Hiko, Hikaru was working when a strange man wearing a long Kimono that was guarded by 2 samurai approached him. "Steady hands you got there" said one of the samurai. Hikaru tried to ignore what he said but then the strange man said "Hello, I'm Kiyomori". The head blacksmith approached and asked why they were at the workshop.
"I don't mean to intrude but I would like to speak with your head bladesmith."

Mount Hiko

Kiyomori asked if he could talk to Hikaru alone. The head blacksmith agreed to his request and left them to discuss about Kiyomori's plans.
"I have a request for you Hikaru", said Kiyomori. "I am planning a war against the Minamoto clan. I have appointed three blacksmith workshops to make the weaponry that I require. I want you to make 12 Katanas within 9 months. Will you be able to do that for me?"
Hikaru thinks about the decision for a few minutes. He agrees to do the task. Kiyomori grins as he thanks Hikaru. As soon as he leaves, he gets to work immediately.
Hikaru contemplates on if he should work on the 12 katanas alone or ask for help.

Ask for help 4

Complete it by yourself 6

All 12 Katanas are completed. They are strong enough to withstand the Minamoto clan for a while but then the Taira clan slowly begins to fall.
Kiyomori yells, "Don't let them defeat us! We deserve to win this war!"
The Minamoto clan begins to kill Taira clan members. Kiyomori orders his clan to flee.

The Taira clan returns with few members left. Hikaru hears of their loss. Kiyomori goes to the blacksmith shop to give Hikaru the money that he promised to give.
"I'm sorry about your loss to the Minamoto clan, Kiyomori."
"There is no need for you to apologize. Here, I promised that I would give you money. Take it."
"Thank you Kiyomori."
Once Kiyomori give Hikaru the money, he walks away and never returns.

"Man this is really tough" he thought while pounding the hammer against the metal. To make a katana, you need to heat up the Tamahagane, which is a type of metal that is used for making Katanas. After it's been heated to a bright orange, you then place it on an anvil and hit it with a hammer. Once it is flat, you fold the hot piece of Tamahagane until it one part is on top of the other. You then place it back into the forge and repeat this process until many layers have formed. By doing this, it creates a stronger blade. After many layers have been formed, you flatten it until it is a few centimeters thick. It is then heat treated and quenched. This makes the blade strong but brittle. To make it strong and flexible, it must be tempered. The cutting end of the Katana, called the bevel, is made by sharpening the it on a fine water stone. The handle is made with wood and is covered with ray skin. This gives the handle a good grip. Each handle on a katana is customized for every single blade.