1045 Carbon Steel Shirasaya Katana with Dark Red Matte Hardwood Saya - No Tsuba Design

The blade of this shirasaya katana is forged from 1045 carbon steel with a full tang construction running the entire length of the handle. At 40.5 inches overall and 2.6 lbs, the proportions sit in the classic katana range - long enough for a proper draw, light enough to hold extended without fatigue. The chrome-finished surface is polished to a clean, reflective sheen, and the hand-finished edge follows the natural curve of the blade from the strong base to the fine kissaki tip.

This piece follows the shirasaya format, meaning there is no tsuba. The blade transitions directly into the handle with only the gold-tone habaki collar marking the boundary - a single band of warm brass-colored metal against the deep red of the tsuka. That restraint is intentional. The shirasaya tradition prioritizes clean lines over ornament, and the result here reads as both minimal and deliberate.

The tsuka is wrapped in matching dark red material, maintaining the monochromatic red-and-chrome color scheme from handle to tip of the saya. No ito wrapping, no samegawa texture - just a smooth, solid handle in the same deep crimson that carries through the entire piece. It fits cleanly into the saya with a firm, snug draw.

The saya is the visual centerpiece. Crafted from hardwood and finished in premium natural lacquer, the dark red matte surface has a depth that flat paint cannot replicate. The color sits between burgundy and crimson depending on the light, and the matte finish keeps it from reading as flashy. A narrow black collar at the koiguchi adds a subtle border detail visible in the close-up shots. For anyone exploring the Red Shirasaya aesthetic, this saya finish is the defining characteristic of the style.

Overall dimensions: 40.5 inches length, 1.26 inches width, 0.275 inches spine thickness. Shipping weight 4.2 lbs. The sword stand is not included. This piece sits naturally within the broader Shirasaya Katana category - an unadorned, high-contrast replica built around the visual tension between polished steel and deep red lacquered wood.