加藤清正

Katō Kiyomasa was a fearsome warrior raised under Hideyoshi's patronage, famed for his tiger-hunting exploits during the Korean campaigns. Counted among the Seven Spears of Shizugatake, his valor was known across the land. While best known for his cross-bladed spear, Kiyomasa was deeply knowledgeable about swords and valued battlefield cutting ability above all else. As lord of Higo Province (Kumamoto), he patronized local smiths led by Dōtanuki Masakuni, greatly contributing to the development of the 'Dōtanuki' brand. Dōtanuki blades are renowned for their robust, practical style that prioritizes function over beauty, embodying the motto 'will not break, will not bend, cuts superbly' — the very definition of a battle-ready sword. The impregnable Kumamoto Castle that Kiyomasa built reflects the same no-nonsense spirit found in his beloved Dōtanuki blades. For Kiyomasa, a sword was nothing more and nothing less than a tool for survival on the battlefield.