Is the tsuka wrapped with real ray skin?

Yes - the handle uses genuine white samegawa (ray skin) as the base layer beneath the black ito cord wrap. The samegawa diamonds remain visible through the cord openings, and gold-tone menuki are set beneath the wrapping at traditional placements.

What does the oni tsuba look like and what material is it?

The tsuba is cast in brown-gold copper alloy with a hand-finished oni (demon) face in high relief. It fits against a brass habaki collar and pairs with the navy and gold handle fittings for a cohesive koshirae color scheme.

How is the black-and-gold handle constructed?

The tsuka uses a full-tang core wrapped in black ito cord over yellow same panels. The stingray skin shows through the diamond gaps, producing the gold-on-black pattern. A gold-toned menuki is placed at the fuchi as an accent.

How is the red saya finished and what color is the sageo?

The saya is crafted from hardwood and finished in premium natural lacquer, producing a deep glossy red with visible wood-grain texture beneath the surface. The sageo is a braided gold-and-dark-brown cord that ties in an ornamental knot at the saya mouth and ends in small gold tassels.

What does the gold-flake saya look like in person?

Updated Feb 2026

The saya is hardwood with a dark red lacquer base and scattered gold-flake detailing across its length. Under direct light the flakes catch and shift, giving the scabbard a deep, textured shimmer distinct from plain lacquer finishes.