T10 Carbon Steel Katana with Dragon Saya - Black Lacquer & Gold Dragon Tsuba

The blade on this katana is forged from T10 carbon steel and clay-tempered to produce a distinct hamon along the cutting edge - a wave-pattern line formed during differential heat treatment that signals the transition between hardened edge and softer spine. The full tang extends through the entire length of the handle, anchoring the blade securely within the tsuka for consistent balance. The chrome-finished surface is polished to a reflective clarity that makes the hamon line stand out against the body of the blade. For collectors interested in T10 Carbon Steel Japanese Samurai Swords, this piece represents a well-executed example of the material's visual and structural properties.

The tsuka is wrapped in black silk ito over genuine white samegawa, the ray skin providing the raised, pebbly texture that prevents the cord from shifting under the hand. The diamond-shaped openings in the braid expose the white samegawa at regular intervals, creating the high-contrast black-and-white pattern visible along the full length of the handle. The menuki ornaments - small sculpted figures seated beneath the cord wrap - add another layer of traditional construction detail.

The gold-tone copper tsuba is one of the most visually arresting elements of this piece. A coiled python is sculpted in high relief across the face of the guard, with fine mesh-pattern hatching covering the background field. The scale detail on the serpent's body is individually defined, and the overall casting has enough depth to read clearly from a distance. The fuchi at the base of the tsuka carries complementary metalwork that ties the fitting to the guard.

The saya is built from hardwood and finished in multiple layers of black piano lacquer, producing the deep gloss finish visible across its full length. A hand-painted dragon scene in white, black, and gold runs along the face of the scabbard - the dragon rendered with cloud scrollwork and fine line detail that holds up under close inspection. A black sageo cord with a braided knot and hanging tassel is tied at the kurigata, completing the overall presentation in a unified black-and-gold palette.

This katana is offered as a Large Katana collectible, suited for wall display, themed collection builds, or appreciation of traditional Japanese sword fittings. The combination of clay-tempered T10 steel, genuine ray skin handle, sculpted copper tsuba, and painted lacquer saya positions this piece as a cohesive, well-appointed example of classic koshirae style.