Manganese Steel Katana with Black Lacquer Dragon Saya - Bronze Dragon Tsuba, Black-White Ito

The blade on this katana is forged from manganese steel and finished to a bright chrome tone, with a hand-ground edge running the full length of the cutting surface. Full-tang construction seats the blade firmly through the handle core, and the 44-inch overall length puts the balance point in a natural carry position. The steel receives a precision heat treatment to reach consistent hardness without the brittleness that comes from lower-grade alloys.

The tsuka is wrapped in black-white cotton ito over a same base, with the braid pulled into a tight diamond pattern. Gold menuki figures are anchored beneath the wrap at the standard grip positions, adding a warm metallic accent that reads clearly between the braid segments. The handle core is shaped for a two-hand grip consistent with traditional katana proportions.

The bronze tsuba is one of the most detailed elements of this koshirae. Dense relief carving covers both faces with dragon imagery, and the shakudo-tone bronze develops a layered visual texture that stands apart from simpler cast fittings. A brass habaki fits cleanly at the blade base and echoes the warm metal tone of the tsuba. Browse our full Dragon Tsuba Japanese Samurai Swords collection for more options in this fitting style.

The hardwood saya is finished in black lacquer and hand-decorated with gold-painted dragon and tiger motifs - a coiled dragon on the upper body, a tiger head near the koiguchi, and geometric line accents that angle down toward the kojiri. A black-white sageo cord is tied at the kurigata, directly mirroring the ito color on the tsuka. The result is a cohesive koshirae where every element reinforces the same black, white, and gold palette. Explore the full range of Dragon Theme Scabbard Japanese Samurai Swords to compare saya designs.

Overall length is 44 inches and the sword weighs 4 pounds. Shipping weight is 5 pounds in a 46 x 4 x 4 inch package. Each piece is individually handcrafted, so minor variation in finish and fitting tolerances is expected and normal. Sword stand not included.