Black Katana in T10 Steel with Clay Tempered Hamon - Gold Tiger Tsuba, Black Piano Lacquer Saya

The blade is forged from T10 carbon steel and clay tempered - a traditional process where a clay coating is applied before quenching, causing the edge and spine to cool at different rates. The result is a hardened edge at 60 HRC alongside a more flexible spine, with a natural hamon line tracing the boundary between the two zones. At 28.34 inches, the nagasa carries a chrome-polished finish that catches light along its curve and highlights the wave-like hamon pattern.

The tsuka measures 11.02 inches and is wrapped in black cotton cord over a foundation of real white rayskin (samegawa). Rayskin's naturally pebbly texture creates friction under the cord wrapping, producing a grip surface that holds its position without additional adhesive - a construction method rooted in traditional Japanese sword assembly. The white samegawa nodes are visible through the diamond gaps in the black cord, creating a classic high-contrast pattern.

The tsuba is cast from alloy in a rich gold tone and shaped around a tiger theme rendered in detailed relief. Tigers appear frequently in samurai iconography as symbols of strength and vigilance, and the casting here captures fine surface texture in the mane and body of the figure. The gold tone reads warm against the black handle and dark saya, anchoring the color palette of the sword as a whole.

The saya is cut from hardwood and finished in piano lacquer - a process that builds up multiple coats to produce a deep, mirror-like black surface. At 28.74 inches it fits the blade with minimal play. The black-red sageo cord is knotted at the kurikata in a traditional style, adding a fine detail that rewards close inspection.

At 39.76 inches overall and 3.08 pounds, this katana presents the proportions of a classical tachi-length piece in a format suited for wall display, collection cases, or study of traditional form. Every component - blade, handle, guard, and scabbard - is selected and assembled to read as a coherent whole rather than a catalog of separate parts.