The Legend
Not limited to swords on the battlefield, numerous samurai throughout the ages were master bowmen. Of particular fame was the Minamoto samurai known as Nasu no Yoichi, who turned the course of the battle of Yashima in 1184 with an impossible shot that destroyed the morale of the enemy Taira clan. Riding his steed into the raging waves, he fired a single arrow which pierced the fan that the Taira warriors had placed atop their flagship to mock the Minamoto by daring them to shoot it down.
The Pendant
Our YOICHI 与一 pendant pays homage to his skill at archery, featuring an arrowhead that takes inspiration from the traditional Ya designs used by the samurai of his era. Made of 100% pure katana steel and decorated with the intricate whorls that come from the pain-staking task of folding the metal repeatedly, this work of art is the perfect mix of style and culture. This piece is 2 inches long by 1 inch wide.
Like any of our accessories, the YOICHI comes with a custom bamboo box.
Custom Engraving
The YOICHI can be engraved according to your request! Simply select the type of engraving you would like, and send the design you desire and your order number to info@hatanosen.com
Safety
As the smith does not mix chromium into the metal, your YOICHI pendant should be kept away from water. We have applied a layer of lacquer to give the pendant a measure of water resistance, but it is always better to be safe than sorry! As this layer will eventually wear off over the course of normal wear, it is highly recommended to replace it with a jewelry sealant (or an alternative) in a month or so to protect the finishing of the pendant and maintain its water resistance.
Stainless Option
Due to popular demand, we now offer a stainless clad variant of our YOICHI pendant! The metals used in the forging of this piece are of a lower carbon content with a limited chromium mix in order to provide greatly increased resistance to water based corrosion. Please note that this metal is not fully stainless, and thus should not be left exposed to water for extended periods of time.
As of the 3rd of May 2025, our smith has homogenized our steel variants into a single steel type that will be used across all of our pendants. As such, all pendants will now have the similar levels of quality and resistance as the variant previously titled as "Stainless Clad Steel" at a reduced price. Please reach out to us at info@hatanosen.com if you have any questions!
Photo credits: Lindsay Lewis @ https://rosiesunday.me/
