T10 Carbon Steel Katana with Dragon Tsuba, Dark Red Lacquer Saya & Green Cord Handle

The blade of this katana is forged from T10 high-carbon steel and clay-tempered to achieve a real hamon - the undulating temper line that runs along the edge and signals differential hardening between the hard cutting edge and the more flexible spine. The resulting visual pattern along the blade flat is a direct byproduct of the tempering process, not a decorative etch, making each piece visually distinct. Blade engravings featuring a dragon motif are carved along the flat, adding a secondary layer of craftsmanship to the already detailed surface. Total assembled length is 41 inches, with the blade spanning the majority of that at a width of 1.259 inches and a spine thickness of 0.275 inches.

The handle construction follows traditional koshirae style, with genuine white samegawa (ray skin) providing the base layer over the full-tang steel core. Over that, light green cotton cord is wrapped in the classic diamond-pattern tsuka-maki, with white menuki accents visible through the gaps in the wrap. The green-on-white contrast is sharp and deliberate, referencing classical Japanese color pairing used in formal sword fittings.

The tsuba is one of the most visually prominent components on this piece. Cast in a gold-black two-tone finish, the round guard features deeply carved dragon relief on both faces - a theme that carries through to the blade engraving and ties the entire koshirae together thematically. The dragon motif in Japanese sword tradition represents power and protection, and here it is rendered with enough detail to hold up under close inspection. For collectors interested in dragon-themed fittings, our Darkred Saya Katana collection features additional options with similar color profiles.

The saya is crafted from hardwood and finished with a dark red natural lacquer coat. The surface shows a speckled, slightly mottled texture that gives it depth beyond a flat color application. A white sageo cord is tied at the kurikata in a traditional braided knot, providing the visual bridge between the red saya and the lighter tones of the handle wrap. The overall color scheme - red saya, green tsuka, gold-black tsuba, white sageo - is layered but coherent, each element chosen to contrast with its neighbor. Collectors exploring multi-tone saya pairings may also find relevant options in our Multi-colored Scabbard Katana collection.

At 3 pounds assembled and shipping at 4 pounds in a 43 x 4 x 4-inch package, this katana is sized and weighted in the range of full-length Japanese sword replicas. It is a handcrafted collectible piece intended for display and appreciation of traditional Japanese sword-making aesthetics. Note that a sword stand or holder is not included.