Is black Damascus harder to maintain?

Maintenance is similar to standard Damascus — regular oiling and careful storage. The dark finish may require slightly more attention to preserve evenly, as worn spots reveal brighter steel beneath.

How is the golden saya decorated?

The hardwood saya is wrapped in PU golden leather and covered with deeply engraved floral and cloud scrollwork across its full 28.5-inch length. A braided sageo in yellow and brown tones adds contrast, and the engraved texture gives the scabbard a layered, brocade-like finish.

What does the orange and black handle design look like up close?

The tsuka is wrapped in black cord ito over white PU samegawa. An orange layer sits beneath, visible through each diamond opening in the ito pattern, creating a bold two-tone contrast that extends to the black-and-orange sageo on the saya.

How is the gold-black saya finish created?

The saya is hardwood lacquered in a crackle pattern - a gold base with scattered black detailing that resembles aged stone. It is secured with a braided black sageo cord looped through the kurikata in the traditional manner.

How is the black-red dragon saya made?

Updated Mar 2026

The saya is hardwood with a lacquer finish - black base with red dragon-pattern detailing running the full length. The black-and-red braided sageo cord wraps the center, matching the saya's two-tone color scheme.