What is the hand-painted artwork on the white saya?

The white hardwood saya features a black-and-white ink-style illustration of a female figure painted near the koiguchi. Each scabbard is hand-painted, making the artwork unique. The saya is finished in premium natural lacquer with a matte surface.

What does the red saya engraving show?

The deep red lacquered hardwood saya features hand-engraved gold kanji characters running vertically along the body, paired with a circular longevity medallion motif near the center. A red sageo cord is knotted at the kurikata in traditional style.

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 should I care for and store a black lacquer saya long-term?

Black lacquer sayas are durable but sensitive to two specific conditions: prolonged direct sunlight and rapid humidity swings. UV exposure will gradually fade or chalk the lacquer finish over months, so display positioning away from windows or under UV-filtering acrylic is advisable. Sudden humidity changes can cause the underlying wood to expand or contract faster than the lacquer layer, eventually leading to hairline cracking. Store or display the saya in a space with relatively stable humidity - ideally 45-60% RH. For cleaning, a soft dry cloth is sufficient for dust; avoid solvent-based cleaners entirely. If the lacquer develops a minor dull patch, a single drop of camellia oil buffed gently with a microfiber cloth can restore surface sheen without damaging the finish.

What material is used under the brown cord wrap?

Updated Mar 2026

Real black samegawa - genuine rayskin - wraps the wooden tsuka core beneath the brown ito. The diamond gaps in the cord reveal the textured rayskin beneath, following traditional koshirae construction for both grip and visual detail.