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We are proud to have created this digital rendering of a ceremonial Katana sword made by the famous master Muramasa. It was covered in lacquer for a long time to prevent rusting, but the lacquer was removed and we could capture the sword the way it should look. This work was extremely challenging, as normal photogrammetry techniques do not work well with reflective objects, such as objects made from metal.
About the sword smith: Sengo Muramasa (村正), born before 1501, was a famous Japanese swordsmith who founded the Muramasa school during the Muromachi period (14th to 16th centuries) in Ise Province, Japan (present-day Kuwana, Mie)[1][2]. The exact origin of the Muramasa school remains unknown, though the oldest existing sword with both Muramasa's name and a date is from 1501[1]. Muramasa's blades gained recognition for their incredible sharpness and efficiency in battle during Japan's Warring States Period, a particularly violent era[3]. His swords were highly sought after by samurai and warriors for their exceptional quality[2][4]. Notable samurai who carried Muramasa blades included Fukushima Masanori, one of Toyotomi Hideyoshi's generals, and the celebrated warrior Sanada Nobushige[4]. The Muramasa school spanned at least three generations, with the second-generation Muramasa considered the most skillful of the six successors[1][5]. Muramasa swords have distinctive features, including a unique "tanagobara" or "fish belly" shaped hilt with a rounded taper, and the swordsmith's name "Muramasa" (村正) engraved into the hilt[5]. Despite their original reputation as fine blades, Muramasa swords gradually developed a darker, more mystical reputation. In folklore and popular culture, they became known as "cursed" or "bloodthirsty" blades that were said to drive their bearers to violence[1][2][3]. One legend even claims that before a Muramasa blade could be returned to its scabbard, it had to draw blood—sometimes even that of its owner[3]. A famous legend pits Muramasa against Masamune, who is considered Japan's greatest swordsmith. In this tale, both placed their swords in a river, and while Muramasa's sword cut everything in its path—fish, leaves, and even the air—Musamune's blade only cut leaves. When Muramasa declared himself the winner, a monk intervened saying that Masamune's blade was superior because "it does not cut the innocent"[6]. 
Article in the Chunichi Shinbun news paper about the project.
Citations:
[1] en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muramasa [2] katana.store/blogs/katana-blog/muramasa [3] youtube.com/watch?v=VHzFxHjLJbw [4] mandarinmansion.com/glossary/muramasa [5] soranews24.com/2021/10/23/genuine-murama... [6] mai-ko.com/travel/japanese-history/museu... [7] en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masamune [8] orientalsouls.com/blog/traditional-craft...
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