T10 Carbon Steel Japanese Tanto in Red Lacquered Saya with Dragon Tsuba - Black-Red Ito

The blade on this tanto is forged from T10 carbon steel and hand-finished to reveal a flowing hamon line along the edge - a wavy temper pattern that traces the transition between hardened edge and softer spine. At 21.65 inches overall with a 1.26-inch blade width, the proportions sit squarely in traditional tanto territory: compact, direct, and purposeful in the hand. Full tang construction keeps the balance point stable and the assembly solid, with no flex between blade and handle under the weight of 1.98 lbs.

The tsuka is wrapped in black ito over red PU same, laid in a clean diamond lozenge pattern. Red accents show through each opening in the braid, creating a high-contrast two-tone visual that carries through the entire piece. Menuki are set beneath the ito at the grip midpoint, adding both texture and traditional detail. The fuchi and kashira finish the handle ends in matching dark metal tones.

The tsuba is the most visually distinctive hardware element here - a black iron piece with a dragon motif rendered in open-work relief. Curved cutouts frame the central silhouette, and the surface detailing picks up the dragon form across both faces. It sits cleanly against the habaki, with a cream-toned seppa visible in the close detail view. For collectors drawn to T10 Carbon Steel Tanto pieces, the tsuba alone makes this worth a close look.

The saya is hardwood finished in deep red lacquer, glossed to a smooth, even surface. Black sageo cord is knotted at the kurigata in a multi-wrap style, and a matching red kojiri caps the scabbard tip. The contrast between the lacquered red body and the black cord binding is sharp and intentional - the same color logic that runs through the handle carries into the saya presentation. This piece fits naturally alongside other Red Tanto koshirae in a display collection.

Packaged at 23 x 3 x 3 inches with a 3 lb shipping weight. Sword stand not included. Designed as a koshirae-style collectible replica for display and appreciation of traditional Japanese tanto form.