Katana “Akasame”

Premium Katana with Honsanmai Blade and Rayskin Saya Anyone who sees this saya for the first time won’t forget it. Fully wrapped in genuine red rayskin (same), it radiates a raw, untamed elegance rarely found on a katana. The rayskin’s distinctive pebbled surface delivers not only an unusual feel in the hand, but also a striking visual contrast to the polished buffalo horn fittings at the koiguchi and kojiri. The multi-colored braided sageo picks up the tones of the entire mounting and completes the look. The tsuba, fuchi, and kashira are crafted from brass and finished with intricate gold and silver inlays, revealing fine details in chiseled relief.   At the heart of the “Akasame” (赤鮫, Red Shark) lies a blade built in honsanmai construction: a hard cutting core of 1095 steel is wrapped in softer, folded jacket steel. This method combines edge retention with flexibility and ranks among the most demanding techniques in traditional swordsmithing. The clay tempering produces a natural hamon, polished in the sashikomi style. The final sharpening with Japanese water stones brings out both the hamon and the fine folding patterns within the steel. A sword that makes the difference between mass production and true craftsmanship tangible. “The sword is the soul of the samurai. Treat it as though it carries your own heart.” Features Hand-forged in the traditional Japanese style: Yes Suitable for technique training (Battodo): Yes Suitable for cutting practice (Tameshigiri): Yes Tsuka (handle): Hardwood wrapped in genuine rayskin Tsuba (handguard): Brass with gold and silver inlays Fuchi (collar): Brass with gold and silver inlays Kashira (pommel): Brass with gold and silver inlays Menuki (handle ornaments): Brass Ito (handle wrap): Wrapped in Japanese silk Saya (scabbard): Hardwood, wrapped in genuine red rayskin with buffalo horn fittings Sageo (scabbard cord): Wrapped in Japanese silk (multi-colored) Overall length: 103 cm / 40.5 in Blade Material: 1095 steel (honsanmai construction) Clay-tempered (genuine hamon): Yes (sashikomi hamon) Battle-ready: Yes Folded steel: Yes (jacket steel) Full tang: Yes (2 mekugi) Sand-polished: Yes Sharpened with Japanese water stones: Yes Bo-hi (blood groove): Yes Blade length: 71 cm / 28 in Blade thickness: 7 mm / 0.28 in Blade width: 3.2 cm / 1.26 in Hardness: 55–58 HRC