Damascus Steel Katana with Clay-Tempered Hamon, Real Rayskin Handle in Blue Dragon Saya

The blade is forged from Damascus steel and clay-tempered to 60 HRC, producing a visible hamon line that traces the boundary between hardened edge and softer spine. At 28.34 inches, the nagasa carries the folded-layer grain pattern intrinsic to Damascus construction - a detail that reads differently under every light source and makes no two swords identical.

The tsuka spans 11.02 inches and opens with a real white rayskin (samegawa) base layer - the textured nodules provide inherent grip before the black cotton cord is even applied. The ito wrapping is pulled tight in the traditional diamond pattern, leaving the samegawa visible in evenly spaced windows along the handle. A black fuchi and kashira frame both ends.

The tsuba is the most intricate single component: an alloy disc cast in a round form, populated with a sculpted tiger motif surrounded by cherry blossoms in relief. Gold-tone gilding picks out the raised detail against a darkened background, and the habaki below it is finished in the same warm gold tone, creating a coherent color transition between blade and guard.

The hardwood saya is the visual centerpiece. Piano lacquer seals the surface to a high gloss, and beneath that finish a dragon scene unfolds in deep blue, black, and amber-gold across the full 28.74-inch length. The black-and-white braided sageo is wrapped and knotted at the kurikata in the traditional manner. The saya color field shifts subtly as viewing angle changes - a direct result of the layered lacquer technique rather than printed decoration.

Taken together, the piece measures 41 inches overall and weighs 3 lbs - dimensions that place it within the classical katana range. The combination of a genuine clay-tempered blade, authentic rayskin handle, and individually lacquered dragon saya makes this a substantial addition to any Japanese sword collection or display arrangement. A stand is not included.