T10 Carbon Steel Katana with Dragon Tsuba - Rayskin Saya, Black Ito, Brown-Gold Fittings

The blade on this katana is forged from T10 carbon steel and subjected to a differential hardening process that produces a genuine hamon line running along the edge. That wavy temper line is visible against the chrome-polished surface and marks the transition from a hard, refined cutting edge to a more flexible spine - a structural detail that defines traditional Japanese sword construction. The blade runs a full 40.5 inches overall and weighs 2.88 lbs, giving it a balanced heft appropriate for display or form practice.

The tsuka is built on a full-tang construction and wrapped in genuine white samegawa - actual stingray skin with its distinctive raised nodule texture - before a layer of tightly wound black ito is applied in the traditional diamond pattern. The contrast between the ivory-white samegawa showing through each wrap gap and the deep black cord is one of the most immediately striking visual details on this piece. Copper menuki fittings sit beneath the ito, adding subtle dimension to the handle.

The tsuba is where this katana makes its clearest design statement. Cast in copper with a brown-gold finish, it features a three-dimensional dragon coiled across the entire guard surface - scales, claws, and all. Gold and silver gilding applied over the relief carving adds depth and highlights the dragon's form against the textured background. A black-patterned habaki collar separates the tsuba from the blade and anchors the fitting securely. For collectors interested in dragon-themed katana, this tsuba design stands out for its sculptural detail.

The saya is constructed from hardwood and wrapped in pearl rayskin - the same natural off-white stingray skin used on the handle, with its characteristic fine-pebbled surface visible across the full length of the scabbard. Real horn is used for both the koiguchi (mouth of the saya) and the kojiri (end cap), traditional materials chosen for their density and wear resistance. A black sageo cord is knotted at the kurikata in a tidy traditional arrangement. For anyone building a collection around rayskin saya katana, the full-length pearl rayskin coverage here is a notable feature.

Overall dimensions are 40.5 inches in length, 1.26 inches in width, and 0.275 inches at the spine, with a shipping weight of 4 lbs. The koshirae-style fittings, hamon blade, and sculptural dragon tsuba make this a cohesive piece for collectors focused on craftsmanship and visual authenticity.