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.

What is the tsuka wrapping material and color?

The tsuka uses real white samegawa as the base layer with olive-green ito cord applied in the knot paper wraps technique, forming diamond-shaped windows over the rayskin. The handle is built on a full-tang core for structural integrity throughout the grip.

What does the teal saya finish actually look like?

The saya is hardwood lacquered in a deep teal base with a multi-tone speckled marble effect. Fine light-catching flecks across the surface give it visible texture and depth, paired with a black sageo cord and a small bead accent at the knot.

What makes a saya count as a "flower saya"?

A flower saya is defined by its surface decoration - the scabbard features botanical motifs such as cherry blossoms, plum flowers, chrysanthemums, or arabesque vine patterns applied through lacquering, engraving, or painted relief work. The term refers specifically to the visual program on the saya rather than its material or construction method. In higher-end pieces, these designs are layered beneath or within multiple coats of lacquer, giving the finished surface genuine depth and a slightly luminous quality under direct light. Lower-tier examples may use transfer printing, but hand-applied lacquer with engraved channels produces a noticeably richer result that collectors can distinguish by running a fingertip across the surface and feeling the texture of the motif.

What does the gold saya look like in person?

Updated Feb 2026

The saya is hardwood finished in gold lacquer - it reads as a warm muted brass-gold tone. Bronze fittings at the koiguchi and kojiri match the tsuba patina, and a brown sageo cord with bead accents is tied at the kurigata.