Damascus Steel Tanto with Dragon Hand-Painted Black Saya - Silver Alloy Tsuba, Black Cord

The 12.5-in nagasa is forged from folded damascus steel, bringing a flowing wave pattern to the blade surface that deepens under direct light. At HRC 62 hardness, the steel holds a hand-finished, refined edge along its length. A visible hamon line traces the boundary of the temper zone, and the chrome-toned polish keeps the surface bright against the black fittings throughout the rest of the piece. For collectors drawn to pattern steel work, this blade belongs alongside the Damascus Fixed Blade Tanto range.

The tsuka is built on a hardwood core measuring 6.3 in and wrapped first in white polyurethane leather samegawa, then bound in black cord ito in a traditional diamond overlap pattern. The contrast between the white samegawa diamonds and the black cord gives the handle a clean, graphic look that reads well at a distance. Gold-tone menuki sit beneath the wrapping at the midpoint, adding a period-accurate accent without disrupting the grip geometry.

The round alloy tsuba is the visual centerpiece of the fittings. Its face is deeply engraved with an interlocking dragon scale relief in silver tone, covering the full surface from rim to hitsu-ana. A small gold dragon figure emerges near the center, catching light differently than the surrounding scales and creating a layered depth that flat-cast tsuba cannot replicate.

The black hardwood saya is finished in high-gloss piano lacquer and hand-painted with a full-length dragon composition in white, pale blue-green, gold, and red accent. The dragon coils from near the tip to the koiguchi, with clouds and flame detail filling the negative space. A black sageo cord is knotted at the kurigata in a traditional looped tie. Collectors interested in the broader lacquered saya aesthetic can explore the Black Pattern Steel Tanto collection for related pieces.

Overall length is 21.65 in, blade width 1.26 in, and total weight 1.98 lb. The package ships at 3 lb in a 23 x 3 x 3 in box. Note: a sword stand is not included.