Folded Melaleuca Steel Katana with Hand-Painted Strawberry Floral Black Saya & Beige Ito

The blade is forged from folded melaleuca steel, a layering process that produces the signature flowing grain lines visible along the flat. A hamon line traces the edge, reflecting the heat differential of the finishing process. At 40.5 inches overall with a spine thickness of 0.275 inches and blade width of 1.26 inches, the geometry is true to classical katana proportions. The full tang construction anchors the blade securely through the handle assembly, giving the piece structural integrity prized by collectors of Japanese Katana Sword.

The tsuka is built over real white samegawa ray skin - a material traditionally valued for its grip texture and visual contrast. Beige cotton ito is wrapped in the classic diagonal hishi pattern, leaving the samegawa nodes visible in the diamond gaps. The combination reads as warm ivory against the dark fittings, referencing a refined koshirae color language.

The tsuba is finished in a deep black tone and engraved with a dense, repeating chrysanthemum petal motif radiating from the center opening. The pattern is tight and precise, giving the guard an almost graphic quality. Its dark finish anchors the transition between the beige handle and the steel blade without competing with either.

The saya is the visual centerpiece of this katana. Shaped from hardwood and sealed in gloss black lacquer, it is hand-painted with a full-length botanical scene: ripe red strawberries with white-dotted surfaces, trailing green stems and leaves, and open white blossoms. The composition has the character of a Japanese lacquerware study - no two hand-painted pieces will be identical. A white sageo cord is knotted at the mouth of the saya in the traditional style, adding a soft contrast to the black ground. This level of decorative finish is more typically associated with Ceremonial Sword presentation pieces.

Total length is 40.5 inches and weight is 3.17 lb, with package dimensions of 43.3 x 3.93 x 3.14 inches for safe transit. The sword stand is not included. Whether displayed horizontally on a wall mount or rested on a table stand, this folded melaleuca steel katana with its hand-painted strawberry floral saya makes an immediate impression as a carefully crafted collector's piece.