T10 Carbon Steel Katana with Real Hamon in Black Lacquer Saya & Dragon Artwork

The blade starts with T10 carbon steel - a high-carbon tool steel known for its edge retention and fine grain structure. Clay tempering is applied before the quench, insulating the spine while allowing the edge to harden fully. The result is a blade that reaches 60 HRC at the cutting edge while the spine retains flexibility, and a natural hamon emerges along the transition zone. The 28.34 in nagasa is hand-finished to a chrome polish that catches light and makes the undulating hamon clearly visible.

The saya is the visual centerpiece of this katana. Hardwood core is sealed under multiple coats of piano lacquer in deep gloss black, then hand-painted with a full-length gold dragon against a red field. The dragon's scales, claws, and red eyes are rendered in fine detail across the 28.74 in scabbard. Real horn is used for both the koiguchi (mouth fitting) and kojiri (end cap), and a black-red braided sageo cord is knotted at the kurikata in traditional fashion.

The tsuba is cast alloy in a round form, silver in base tone with gold-accent dragon sculpting and a polished amber stone set at the center. The relief work is deep enough to read clearly in hand - coiling dragon body, textured clouds, and scrollwork fill the surface. Gold-tone habaki and fuchi collar connect the guard cleanly to the black lacquered saya mouth.

The tsuka is 11.02 in long, built on hardwood and wrapped first in genuine white rayskin (samegawa), then cross-laced with black cotton ito in traditional diamond pattern. Cream-colored menuki ornaments are seated under the ito wrapping, visible at the gaps between diamond sections. The handle proportions place both hands in a natural position along the full 39.76 in overall length.

At 3.08 lb assembled, this katana carries the weight of a full-size sword while remaining balanced enough for deliberate draw practice and display positioning. The combination of a differential-hardened T10 blade, hand-painted dragon saya, and carved silver-and-gold tsuba makes this a piece where functional construction and detailed artistry are given equal attention.