Katana “Homura”

Katana with Hand-Carved Saya and Clay-Tempered T10 Blade The hardwood saya of the Homura features an elaborate carved vine pattern extending along its entire length. The flowing, interlocking ornaments are highlighted by vivid red and dark black tones, giving the saya a distinctive, relief-like texture. The sweeping lines are reminiscent in places of rising flames and form the inspiration for the katana’s name: Homura (焔) – “Blazing Flame”. The brown-orange sageo made from Japanese silk complements the colour of the tsuka and provides a lighter accent against the dark saya. The tsuka is lined with genuine black rayskin and tightly wrapped with brown-orange Japanese silk. The dark texture of the rayskin remains visible through the diamond-shaped openings of the ito. The tsuba, fuchi and kashira are made from brass and finished in warm gold and bronze tones. The round, openwork tsuba is particularly distinctive with its finely detailed, relief-like decoration, complementing the elaborate design of the saya. The hand-forged blade is made from T10 carbon steel. It has been traditionally differentially clay hardened, producing a genuine hamon with a lively, wave-like pattern along the cutting edge. A subsequent sand polish provides an even surface and brings the hardening line clearly into view. A full tang secured within the tsuka by two mekugi provides a solid construction. The sharpened blade is suitable for cutting practice. With T10 carbon steel, genuine differential clay hardening, genuine rayskin, Japanese silk wrapping, brass fittings and its elaborately carved hardwood saya, the Homura combines functional construction with an expressive design characterised by warm red, brown and gold tones. “If you are in a hurry, take the long way around.” 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 Fuchi (collar): Brass Kashira (pommel): Brass Menuki (handle ornaments): Brass Ito (handle wrap): Wrapped in Japanese silk Saya (scabbard): Hardwood, hand-carved pattern in red and black Sageo (scabbard cord): Wrapped in Japanese silk Overall length: 103 cm / 40.5 in Blade Material: T10 steel Clay-tempered (genuine hamon): Yes Battle-ready: Yes Folded steel: No Full tang: Yes (2 mekugi) Sand-polished: Yes Sharpened with Japanese water stones: No Bo-hi (blood groove): No Blade length: 72 cm / 28.3 in Blade thickness: 7 mm / 0.28 in Blade width: 3.2 cm / 1.26 in Hardness: 55–58 HRC