Folded Melaleuca Steel Katana with Dragon-Carved Black-Red Saya - Gold Snake Tsuba, Purple Ito

The blade on this katana is forged from folded melaleuca steel, a layered material prized for the natural grain patterns that emerge along the polished surface. A visible hamon line traces the length of the chrome-finished nagasa, the result of differential heat treatment during finishing. At 41 inches overall with a blade width of 1.259 inches and a full-tang construction, the geometry is consistent with classic koshirae proportions. This piece sits comfortably in the 1000 Layer Folded Katana category for collectors focused on layered steel construction.

The tsuka is built on a white samegawa base - genuine ray skin panels that provide texture and grip beneath the wrap. Purple ito is applied in a traditional diamond-pattern braid, exposing the samegawa in evenly spaced rhombus windows. The result is a handle that reads clean and structured from a distance, with fine surface detail up close. A matching purple sageo cord secures at the saya mouth, tying the handle and scabbard into a unified color scheme.

The gold-toned copper tsuba is cast in a coiled snake motif, with individually defined scales running around the entire circumference. Gold gilding deepens the warm metallic tone and highlights the relief work. Paired with the purple ito, the contrast between the gold hardware and the cool-toned wrap creates a deliberate visual tension that anchors the sword's aesthetic.

The saya is hardwood lacquered in black and red, with the red visible in the carved recesses of the dragon relief that runs the full length of the scabbard. The embossed dragon design is the defining feature of this piece - deep, multi-plane carving that gives the saya genuine sculptural presence. This is not a surface-printed pattern but a three-dimensional relief that catches light differently at each angle. Collectors focused on dragon-themed scabbards can explore more in the Orange Saya Katana collection for related koshirae configurations.

Overall dimensions: 41 inches length, 1.259 inches blade width, 0.275 inches spine, 3 lbs. Ships in a 43 x 4 x 4 inch package at 4 lbs. Sword stand is not included.