Katana “Kuroguri”

Folded T10 Steel Katana with Rosewood Saya The hand-forged blade of the Kuroguri is made from T10 carbon steel and has also been folded. This process creates a fine, irregular steel pattern across the blade surface, with subtle variations from one blade to another. Traditional differential clay hardening produces a genuine hamon that runs along the cutting edge in a lively, wave-like pattern. A subsequent sand polish provides an even finish and brings out both the hardening line and the fine pattern of the folded steel. The tsuka is lined with genuine rayskin and tightly wrapped with black Japanese silk. The tsuba, fuchi and kashira are made from iron and finished in dark tones, allowing them to blend harmoniously with the understated appearance of the fittings. The black sageo made from Japanese silk continues this restrained colour scheme. A warm contrast is provided by the gold-coloured habaki with its dark decoration. The saya is made from rosewood, allowing the warm brown colour and natural grain of the wood to remain clearly visible. The contrast between the rosewood and the almost entirely black fittings also forms the inspiration for the katana’s name: Kuroguri (黒栗) – “Black Chestnut”. The full tang is secured within the tsuka by two mekugi and, together with the sharpened, differentially hardened blade, provides a solid construction for cutting practice. The Kuroguri, however, is defined by more than its functional construction: the fine pattern of the folded T10 steel, the genuine hamon and the natural rosewood saya give the katana a distinctive yet deliberately understated character. “A thousand days of practice is called forging; ten thousand days of practice is called refining.” (Miyamoto Musashi) 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): Iron Fuchi (collar): Iron Kashira (pommel): Iron Menuki (handle ornaments): Zinc alloy Ito (handle wrap): Wrapped in Japanese silk, black Saya (scabbard): Rosewood Sageo (scabbard cord): Wrapped in Japanese silk, black Overall length: 103 cm / 40.5 in Blade Material: T10 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: No 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