Zatoichi Stick Sword Shirasaya with Dark Blue Blade in White Hardwood Matte Saya

The blade on this Zatoichi-style stick sword is forged from manganese steel and finished in a deep dark blue tone, with a precisely cut squared-notch pattern etched along the spine from ricasso to tip. The pattern creates a strong visual rhythm that runs the entire length of the blade, giving it a graphic, high-contrast profile unlike any standard katana silhouette. The hand-finished edge is refined along the full-tang construction, which runs uninterrupted from tip through the handle core.

The tsuka follows the shirasaya tradition - no wrapping, no menuki, no decorative elements. Pure white hardwood matte, smooth and cylindrical, fitting flush against the matching saya with the restraint that defines this style. A plain black tsuba sits at the junction, circular and unadorned, providing just enough separation between blade and handle without interrupting the clean lines of the overall form.

What sets this piece apart is the saya. The white hardwood matte scabbard is hand-painted with a detailed ink-wash composition: a coiling dragon rendered in grey smoke tones, red roses in full bloom, and delicate cherry blossom branches extending toward the koiguchi. The painting spans the full body of the saya and shifts in density from dense and dramatic near the center to airy and sparse at the tip - the kind of brushwork that rewards close inspection.

For collectors drawn to Blue Sword aesthetics, this shirasaya pairs a moody dark blade with a visually rich saya in a combination that photographs exceptionally well and displays cleanly on a horizontal rack or stand. Overall length is 41 inches, total weight 3 lb, with a shipping package of 43 x 4 x 4 inches. Note: sword stand is not included.