Katana “Kintora”

Kintora Katana with Honsanmai Blade Construction and Water Stone Polish The hand-forged blade of the Kintora features a Honsanmai construction made from 1095 carbon steel, folded 1095 carbon steel and T10 carbon steel. This multi-part construction combines different steel sections within a single blade, resulting in a particularly elaborate structure. The fine, irregular pattern of the folded 1095 steel remains visible across the blade surface. Traditional differential clay hardening creates a genuine hamon that runs along the cutting edge in a fine, evenly undulating line. The blade is sand-polished and sharpened by hand using Japanese whetstones. The tsuka is lined with genuine rayskin and tightly wrapped in black Japanese silk. The tsuba, fuchi and kashira are made from brass with gold-toned accents and feature tiger motifs that continue the central theme of the katana. The openwork tsuba in particular presents the motif in intricate detail. The light-coloured rayskin creates a distinct contrast with the black silk wrapping while complementing the warm metallic tones of the fittings. The lacquered hardwood saya is finished in a warm golden yellow and decorated with a large, multicoloured tiger motif. The design stands out against the light background and continues the theme found on the fittings. The light-coloured braided sageo made from Japanese silk, with darker accents, blends harmoniously into the overall colour scheme. The combination of the tiger motif and dominant golden tones also provides the inspiration for the katana’s name: Kintora (金虎) – “Golden Tiger”. The elaborate blade construction is at the heart of the Kintora: its Honsanmai structure of 1095, folded 1095 and T10 carbon steel is visually complemented by the visible folded-steel pattern and the finely undulating genuine hamon. Hand sharpening with Japanese whetstones further adds to the detailed blade workmanship. The sharpened blade is suitable for cutting practice, while the namesake tiger motif extends from the brass fittings to the golden-yellow saya, creating a consistent theme throughout the Kintora. “Do it and it is done. Leave it and nothing is.” (attributed to Uesugi Yōzan) 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 Fuchi (collar): Brass with gold Kashira (pommel): Brass with gold Menuki (handle ornaments): Brass Ito (handle wrap): Wrapped in Japanese silk Saya (scabbard): Hardwood, gold lacquer, applied tiger motif under lacquer Sageo (scabbard cord): Wrapped in Japanese silk Overall length: 103 cm / 40.5 in Blade Material: Honsanmai, T10 core with folded 1095 steel Clay-tempered (genuine hamon): Yes Battle-ready: Yes Folded steel: Yes Full tang: Yes (2 mekugi) Sand-polished: Yes Sharpened with Japanese water stones: Yes Bo-hi (blood groove): No Blade length: 71 cm / 28.0 in Blade thickness: 7 mm / 0.28 in Blade width: 3.2 cm / 1.26 in Hardness: 55–58 HRC