Manganese Steel Katana with Gold Skull Tsuba in Blue Cord Handle & Black Lacquer Saya

The blade on this katana is forged from manganese steel, ground and hand-finished to bring out a clean chrome polish along the flat and a clearly defined hamon line tracing the edge. The temper line is visible under direct light, running the full length from base to tip in the irregular, wave-like pattern characteristic of traditional Japanese sword construction. The full-tang blade extends through the entire handle assembly, giving the piece structural integrity from tip to pommel.

The tsuka is wrapped in blue cord ito over a black PU samegawa base, tied in the traditional diamond-knot pattern visible in the close-up images. The wrap is firm and evenly spaced, with gold-tone menuki accents seated beneath the cord at the grip points. The kashira at the pommel end is finished in matching alloy hardware. For collectors interested in Forged Katana construction and koshirae fittings, the handle assembly here follows classical proportions.

The tsuba is the defining feature of this piece - a three-dimensional skull cast in gold-tone alloy with aged patina detailing. The face is rendered with deep relief: hollow eye sockets, defined cheekbones, and a full set of teeth along the lower jaw. Gold horns curve upward from the crown. The overall finish sits between antique brass and aged gold, giving the guard a worn, sculptural quality that reads clearly against the blue ito.

The saya is lacquered black hardwood, smooth and high-gloss along the body. A blue sageo cord is tied at the kurikata fitting, which features a small gold-tone ring accent. The cord color deliberately echoes the tsuka-ito, tying the blue-and-black palette together across the full koshirae set. This is part of our High quality Samurai Sword collection for collectors focused on cohesive fitting sets.

Overall length is 41 inches with a shipping weight of 5 lbs. Packaged in a 43 x 4 x 4 inch box. The sword stand is not included. Intended as a collector replica and display piece.