Manganese Steel Tanto with Black Blade in Hardwood Lacquer Saya - Brown Tsuka, Gold Tsuba

The blade is forged from manganese steel and finished in a deep, even black, allowing the real hamon to stand out as a bright, undulating contrast line along the cutting edge. That temper pattern - broad and wave-shaped - is one of the most visually striking elements of this tanto, catching light differently from every angle. The full-tang construction ensures the blade runs continuously through the handle, giving the piece structural integrity that matches its visual presence.

The tsuka is wrapped in brown cotton tsuka-ito over white PU samegawa, executed in the classic diamond-lozenge pattern associated with traditional koshirae assembly. Gold menuki ornaments are visible beneath the wrapping, adding a flash of warmth that ties directly to the tsuba's metallic tone. The brown-and-gold braided sageo knotted at the saya mouth mirrors this same color relationship, creating a visually unified set.

The gold-toned alloy tsuba is shaped in a rounded form with ornate scroll engraving across both faces - a design that reads as formally decorative without being overworked. A silver-toned habaki sits flush between the blade and tsuba, and the fuchi collar continues the silver accent at the base of the handle, framing the tsuka-ito wrap cleanly. Together these fittings reflect the layered attention to hardware detail typical of koshirae-style tanto.

The saya is crafted from hardwood with a natural lacquer finish in polished black. The surface texture is smooth and even, with a depth that only lacquered hardwood produces. The brown-and-yellow braided sageo is tied in a decorative bow at the koiguchi, reinforcing the warm earth tones that run through the tsuka and cord. For more options in this finish family, browse our Black Tanto collection.

At 21 inches overall and 2 lbs, this tanto sits in the compact range appropriate for shelf or wall display. Packaged in a 23 x 2 x 2 inch box at 3 lbs shipping weight, it arrives ready to present. The koshirae-style assembly - from the scroll tsuba to the lacquer saya - makes it a focused collectible for anyone drawn to traditional Japanese short-sword aesthetics.