Manganese Steel Tanto with Beige Cord Handle, Gold Dragon Tsuba & Black Saya - Japanese Replica

The blade on this tanto is ground from high manganese steel and brought to a high-polish finish, producing the mirror-bright surface visible along the entire edge. At 22 inches overall and 2 lbs., the proportions sit squarely in traditional tanto territory - compact enough to handle easily, substantial enough to display with presence. Full-tang construction means the steel runs unbroken from tip to pommel, keeping the balance point predictable and the assembly solid.

The handle pairs black ray-skin (samegawa) under a beige cotton cord wrapped in a classic diamond-pattern braid. Gold-tone menuki ornaments nestle in the open diamonds on each side of the grip, their detail catching light at the same warm tone as the collar fittings. The wrap is firm, evenly tensioned, and consistent with the hand-finished quality noted across the fittings. For more short-blade options built to similar standards, browse our Samurai Tanto collection.

The alloy tsuba is the visual centerpiece: a dark, finely textured ground carries a raised gold-tone scene of a dragon amid foliage, with additional floral elements filling the guard perimeter. The contrast between the matte dark field and the bright gold relief gives the guard a depth that reads clearly even at a distance. Habaki and fuchi share the same gold-tone finish, tying the fittings together without competing with the blade.

The saya is black hardwood, smooth and lacquer-finished, with a kurigata fitted to accept the sageo. That sageo is a braided green-and-beige cord, knotted at the kurigata and finished with a multi-strand tassel - a detail that elevates the scabbard from functional sheath to display-worthy accessory on its own. If you're comparing short-blade formats, the Manganese Steel Hamidashi collection offers related profiles worth considering.

Overall length: 22 in. | Weight: 2 lbs. | Shipping weight: 3 lbs. | Package dimensions: 24 x 2 x 2 in. Sword stand not included.