Manganese Steel Black Blade Katana with Dragon-Engraved Silver Saya in Koshirae Style

The 28.74-inch nagasa is forged from manganese steel and hardened to HRC 62, producing a blade with lasting edge retention and a deep black finish that runs the full length from tip to habaki. The hand-finished surface catches light at the shinogi line, revealing the precise geometry of the single-bevel grind without relying on artificial polish. Full tang construction runs uninterrupted through the handle core, giving the 40.55-inch sword a solid, unified feel at 2.8 lb. Collectors drawn to Black Spring Steel Katana styles will recognize the same dark blade aesthetic here executed in manganese steel.

The 10.62-inch tsuka is wrapped in traditional koshirae style: real rayskin (samegawa) in black forms the base layer, and black cotton tsuka-ito is wound over it in the standard hishigami diamond pattern, exposing the white rayskin nodes as bright geometric accents against the dark wrap. The kashira cap at the pommel carries silver-tone detailing that echoes the saya finish above.

The bronze alloy tsuba is cast in an ornate scroll design - a dense interlocking pattern of curved lines that reads as antique and hand-crafted at close range. The warm bronze tone sits between the matte black tsuka and the silver saya to create a three-tone color transition that photographs well and reads clearly on a display stand. The habaki beneath it is fitted tight with no lateral play.

The hardwood saya is lacquered to a matte silver finish and hand-carved with a continuous dragon theme relief that wraps the full 29.92-inch length of the scabbard. The dragon scales, clouds, and claw details are sharp and consistent from koiguchi to kojiri, making the saya as much a display object as a functional housing. A bronze kurikata ring is set at the standard position, threaded with a two-tone blue-red sageo that introduces the only warm color in the otherwise monochrome palette.

This katana presents a cohesive koshirae set - black blade, black handle, silver dragon saya, bronze fittings, blue-red sageo - with dimensions and weight suited to wall mounting, open display, or slow-form practice. Overall length 40.55 inches, blade width 1.259 inches, blade thickness 0.275 inches. Packaged in a fitted 42.5 x 3.9 x 3.5-inch box at 3.3 lb shipping weight.