Manganese Steel Tanto with Black Copper Saya - Gold Dragon Aikuchi, Full Tang

The blade of this aikuchi tanto is forged from high manganese steel and finished to a bright, mirror-like polish. The geometry is clean and purposeful - a short, slightly curved profile tapering to a fine point, with no visible hamon but a consistent surface finish that reflects light evenly from tip to habaki. Full-tang construction runs the length of the handle for balanced weight distribution across the 8-inch overall form.

The habaki - the blade collar seated between the blade and handle - is cast in a gold-tone hammered copper finish. Its textured surface stands out against both the polished steel above and the dark handle below, serving as the visual transition point that anchors the entire composition. This detail is characteristic of carefully assembled Japanese Tanto pieces where each fitting is considered individually.

Unlike tanto styles that incorporate a tsuba, this piece follows the aikuchi form - no hand guard, with the handle fitting flush against the habaki. This guardless profile gives the tanto a streamlined silhouette and is historically associated with civilian-carry tanto of the Edo period. The handle is finished in the same black ground as the saya, wrapped in a continuous visual language.

Both the handle and saya are rendered in a deep charcoal-black finish with gold-line engraved dragon imagery applied across the surface. On the saya, a large coiled dragon dominates the body of the scabbard. The handle carries a second dragon figure - a deity or warrior form amid flame motifs - extending the narrative across the full piece. The engraving style is fine-line and high-contrast against the dark ground. This dragon theme saya design is a defining feature among Straight Blade Aikuchi collectibles of this style.

At 8 inches overall length and 3 lb, this tanto is a solid, display-ready piece. Packaged in a 10 x 2 x 2 inch box with a shipping weight of 4 lb. Stand or holder is not included.