Manganese Steel Katana with Black-Red Lacquered Saya - Black & White Tsuka, Ornate Scroll Tsuba

The blade is forged from manganese steel and brought to a mirror-like chrome finish that catches light cleanly along its full length. A distinct hamon line traces the edge, giving the sword the visual hallmark of traditional Japanese blade work without overstating it. The geometry is precise, and the steel carries the kind of weight - at 4 lbs over 41 inches total - that feels intentional rather than excessive. For collectors drawn to Full Tang Steel Sword designs, the construction here runs the full length of the handle with no compromise at the joint.

The tsuka is wrapped in black cord over a PU white samegawa base, forming clean diamond-shaped windows that expose the white underlayer. The pattern is tight and even throughout, with a black cap at the kashira end. The 10mm cotton wrapping sits firm against the hand and resists slip without feeling stiff. Menuki accents are set beneath the wrap, adding small structural breaks under the cord.

The tsuba is cast in white alloy with a round, ribbed outer edge - the chrysanthemum-style profile is immediately recognizable from the close-up detail. The face of the tsuba carries an ornate scroll motif with layered curves and open negative space, finished in white with subtle tonal variation. It sits cleanly between the tsuka and the blade, neither overscaled nor lost against the black handle wrap.

The saya is the most visually arresting element of the set. The hardwood core is lacquered in a gradient that runs from deep gloss black at the mouth down into a vivid red crackle finish toward the tip - the texture reads almost like fractured lava or dried earth, and photographs dramatically against the chrome blade. A white sageo cord is knotted at the kurigata and wraps in flat horizontal bands along the upper saya, providing a clean counterpoint to the red-black gradient below. Collectors exploring the broader range of Real Japanese Samurai Sword styles will find this color treatment uncommon at this construction level.

The complete sword measures 41 inches in length and weighs 4 lbs, shipping in a 43 x 4 x 4 inch package at 5 lbs. The mix of chrome blade, white tsuba, black-white tsuka, and black-red crackle saya creates a layered color story that holds up in display and in hand. Sword stand is not included.