Damascus Steel Tanto with Red Lacquer Saya - Dragon Tsuba, Dark Blue Ito, Real Hamon

The blade is forged from manganese Damascus steel, delivering a layered visual texture across its 28.74-inch length. Heat-treated to HRC 62, it carries a genuine hamon - the visible temper line that emerges from the differential hardening process and traces the contour of the edge in a flowing, organic pattern. The tanto geometry keeps the tip geometry clean and angular, consistent with traditional Japanese short-blade form.

The tsuka runs 10.62 inches and is constructed over a real white rayskin (samegawa) foundation, offering grip texture that is both functional and authentic. Dark blue ito is hand-wrapped in a traditional diamond pattern, held in place by silver-tone menuki fittings visible beneath the wrap. The fuchi collar is finished in a matching gold-silver alloy to tie the handle to the tsuba visually.

The alloy tsuba is the most visually commanding element of the koshirae. Cast in a gold-silver two-tone finish, it features a high-relief dragon design with cloud and wave detailing worked into every quadrant. For collectors interested in dragon-themed koshirae fittings, this tsuba represents a strong example of the motif rendered in an alloy guard format.

The saya is built from hardwood and finished in matte red piano lacquer - a deep, consistent red that reads as bold without being glossy. A gold-toned clan mon medallion is set into the face of the saya, and a blue sageo cord is knotted at the kurikata in a traditional bow tie. The color pairing of red lacquer and navy sageo is one of the more striking combinations in Red Damascus Steel Tanto koshirae design.

Total assembled length is 40.55 inches at a weight of 1.54 lb. Packaged in a 23.6 x 3.9 x 3.5 inch box with a shipping weight of 2.2 lb. The full-tang construction, real samegawa, and genuine hamon place this piece firmly within the Red Pattern Steel Aikuchi collector category - appropriate for koshirae study, display, or Japanese sword enthusiasts building a short-blade collection.