Katana “Guren”

Hand-Forged Japanese Samurai Sword with Kobuse Blade The hardwood saya of the Guren katana features an intricately carved pattern extending along its entire length. The repeating, interlocking ornaments are highlighted by vivid red surfaces and black recesses, giving the saya its distinctive relief-like structure. The black and violet sageo made from Japanese silk complements the darker tones and adds a subtle additional accent. The dark fittings are made from brass and feature dragon and cloud motifs inspired by traditional Japanese imagery. The tsuba is particularly striking, with sculpted dragons and carefully placed gold- and silver-coloured details. The fuchi and kashira continue the same design. The tsuka is lined with genuine rayskin and tightly wrapped in black Japanese silk. The intense red of the carved saya together with the dragon motifs of the fittings gives the katana its name: Guren (紅蓮) – “Crimson Lotus Flame”. The hand-forged blade is made from T10 carbon steel and features a Kobuse construction. The folded T10 steel displays a fine layered pattern across the surface of the blade. Traditional differential clay hardening produces a genuine hamon along the cutting edge. A subsequent sand polish brings out both the temper line and the layered structure of the folded steel. In addition, the blade is hand sharpened using Japanese whetstones. A full tang secured within the tsuka by two mekugi provides a solid construction. With its Kobuse blade construction, folded T10 carbon steel, genuine differential clay hardening, genuine rayskin, Japanese silk wrapping and intricately carved hardwood saya, the Guren combines high-quality functional construction with a particularly distinctive design. “Fall down seven times, get up eight.” 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 detailing Fuchi (collar): Brass with gold and silver detailing Kashira (pommel): Brass with gold and silver detailing Menuki (handle ornaments): Brass with silver finish Ito (handle wrap): Wrapped in Japanese silk Saya (scabbard): Hardwood, hand-carved, red and black finish (76 cm / 29.9 in) Sageo (scabbard cord): Wrapped in Japanese silk Overall length: 103 cm / 40.5 in Blade Material: T10 steel, Kobuse blade construction Clay-tempered (genuine hamon): Yes Battle-ready: Yes Folded steel: Yes (jacket) 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