What finish does the black saya have and what are the gold designs?

The hardwood saya is coated in high-gloss piano lacquer for a mirror-like black finish. Gold painted floral branches, grasses, and nature scenes decorate the surface, and a black sageo cord is tied at the kurikata.

What is the dragon saya made of and how is it finished?

The 30.7-inch saya is crafted from hardwood and finished in piano lacquer, giving it a deep, mirror-like black surface. A gold dragon motif is painted across the lower half, paired with gold kanji characters for a bold collectible presentation.

What design is carved on the silver saya?

The silver lacquered hardwood saya features a full-length embossed dragon relief motif. It pairs with a black sageo cord and a gold-accent kurikata ring, contrasting the matte black geometric iron tsuba.

How does a lacquered hardwood saya differ from a rayskin saya?

A lacquered hardwood saya is constructed from a shaped wooden core - typically ho wood or a comparable hardwood - then coated with multiple layers of lacquer that are polished between applications to achieve a smooth, high-gloss or satin finish. The result is formal and uniform in color, making it well suited for classic display presentations. A rayskin (same) saya, by contrast, wraps the wooden base in genuine ray or shark skin before finishing. The natural nodules of rayskin create a textured surface that scatters light rather than reflecting it evenly, producing a depth and organic variation that no lacquer alone can replicate. The two styles represent distinct aesthetic traditions and appeal to different collector sensibilities.

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

Updated Feb 2026

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.