Damascus Steel Katana with Dragon Saya in Black Lacquer - Gold Demon Tsuba, Folded Pattern Blade

The blade on this katana is forged from folded damascus pattern steel, a multi-layer process that produces the flowing grain visible along the flat of the chrome-finish nagasa. A real hamon temper line runs the length of the edge, the result of differential heat treatment rather than acid etching, and the full-tang construction extends the steel through the entire handle core. The hand-finished edge is sharpened along the entire cutting length. For collectors interested in the wider range of folded steel options, the White Pattern Steel Japanese Samurai Swords collection offers comparable blade construction in contrasting aesthetics.

The tsuka is built over a wooden core wrapped first in genuine white samegawa - real ray skin whose raised nodules provide natural grip texture beneath the ito. Black cotton cord is laced over the samegawa in a traditional diamond tsuka-ito pattern, creating the high-contrast black-and-white handle visible in the image. The menuki fittings are set under the cord wrap at the standard grip positions.

The gold-tone copper tsuba is the focal point of the fitting set. Cast in a round form, it carries a demon mask relief motif - the raised facial detail, curling horns, and expressive features are rendered with depth that reads clearly at a distance. The gold tone of the tsuba ties directly to the brass kashira and fuchi collar fittings at either end of the handle.

The saya is the most visually commanding element of this koshirae. Formed from hardwood and finished in gloss black lacquer, it serves as the canvas for an embossed dragon sculpture that runs nearly the full length of the scabbard. The dragon's body is rendered in deep orange and rust tones, with bright blue spheres representing clouds or pearl elements interspersed along the coils. The raised three-dimensional relief stands clearly off the black lacquer ground. A black-and-white braided sageo cord is tied at the koiguchi opening, echoing the handle's cord tones. This piece sits alongside the broader Damascus Katana Sword collection for those comparing folded steel koshirae options.

Overall length is 41 inches with a total weight of 4 lbs. Packaging dimensions are 43 x 4 x 4 inches and shipping weight is 5 lbs. The koshirae style is full traditional koshirae with matched gold fittings throughout. Sword stand or display holder is not included with purchase.