Folded Steel Shirasaya Katana with Blue-Red Damascus Blade in Rosewood Saya - Clay Tempered Full Tang

This shirasaya katana features a folded pattern steel blade that has been clay tempered to produce a striking dual-tone finish. The layered steel surface reveals deep blue and copper-red hues that swirl across the Damascus-style grain, with each fold line visible along the 28.74-inch blade. Clay tempering creates a hardened edge at 58 HRC while leaving the spine softer and more flexible, a process that also gives this blade its distinctive coloration.

The handle follows traditional shirasaya construction - a smooth, straight rosewood grip with no traditional wrapping or ray skin. At 10.23 inches, it provides generous two-handed purchase. Where the handle meets the blade, a brass habaki collar with an intricate openwork crackle pattern serves as the only metal ornamentation, adding a refined accent against the natural wood tones.

Without a conventional tsuba guard, this katana relies on the clean shirasaya profile where blade transitions directly into handle through the brass collar. The full tang runs through the entire length of the rosewood grip, secured with a single mekugi pin visible on the handle's surface. This construction method prioritizes both structural soundness and the minimalist aesthetic that defines the Shirasaya Katana style.

The rosewood saya measures 30.7 inches and showcases prominent natural wood grain with warm amber and brown tones. A dark-finished kurikata sits near the mouth, and the koiguchi fits tightly to the blade profile. Two brass pins are visible along the saya body, complementing the brass habaki. The natural wood finish is left unvarnished in the traditional shirasaya manner, allowing the rosewood's organic texture to serve as the primary visual element.

At 41 inches overall and 4.4 lbs, this is a substantial collectible piece within the Blue Shirasaya category. The combination of folded pattern steel with clay-tempered coloration, paired with the understated rosewood fittings and brass accents, creates a katana that balances visual complexity in the blade against the simplicity of its shirasaya mounting.