1095 Carbon Steel Katana with Dragon Tsuba - Black Saya & Rayskin Handle, 28.74" Blade

The blade is forged from 1095 carbon steel - a high-carbon alloy valued for its ability to take and hold a fine edge - then hand-finished to a bright, high-polish chrome mirror surface. At 28.74 inches and rated 62 HRC, the nagasa carries real weight and visual authority. The full tang runs the full length of the tsuka, keeping the assembly solid and properly balanced at 2.8 lb total. For collectors browsing our 1095 Katana selection, this piece sits at the more ornate end of the range.

The tsuka is wrapped in black cotton ito over a foundation of real white rayskin (samegawa). The samegawa's pebbly texture locks the wrap in place and adds an authentic detail that synthetic underlays cannot replicate. At 10.62 inches, the grip length suits a two-handed stance, and the alternating diamond pattern of the wrap gives the hand a consistent reference point along the handle.

The tsuba is an alloy casting finished in an aged bronze tone, shaped around a dragon relief motif. The dragon imagery is worked into both faces with raised lines and recessed detail - not a stamped pattern but a sculpted composition. It functions as a visual anchor between the dark blade and the dark fittings, the bronze providing the only warm color note in the all-black koshirae.

The saya is built from hardwood and finished in matte black natural lacquer over its full 29.92-inch length. The matte surface reads as understated next to the polished blade, and the lacquer coat provides a durable, moisture-resistant shell. The black sageo cord is looped and tied at the kurigata in a braided knot that references traditional Japanese carry-cord conventions. Explore more options in the 1095 Japanese Katana Sword collection.

Overall dimensions run 40.55 inches in length, packaged in a 42.5 x 3.9 x 3.5 inch box at 3.3 lb shipping weight. The koshirae-style mounting - dragon tsuba, samegawa tsuka, lacquered hardwood saya, black sageo - makes this katana a cohesive display piece for collectors focused on traditional Japanese sword aesthetics.