Katana “Ryūshō”

Ryūshō Katana with a Hand-Sharpened T10 Blade and Gold Dragon Saya The black lacquered hardwood saya of the Ryūshō is defined by a golden dragon winding its way across the glossy surface among stylised water and wave motifs. The dynamic depiction of the dragon gives the katana its distinctive character and also forms the inspiration for its name: Ryūshō (龍翔) – “Rising Dragon”. The black sageo made from Japanese silk remains understated in colour, allowing the design of the saya to take centre stage. The tsuka is lined with genuine rayskin and tightly wrapped with black Japanese silk. The tsuba, fuchi and kashira are made from brass and finished in dark tones with partially golden highlights. Their relief-like decoration and flowing forms complement the expressive design of the katana. At the heart of the Ryūshō is its hand-forged T10 carbon steel blade. It has been traditionally differentially clay hardened, producing a genuine hamon that runs along the cutting edge in a pronounced lively pattern. The sand polish further highlights the distinctive course of the hardening line. The full tang is securely fixed within the tsuka by two mekugi. Together with the sharpened and differentially hardened blade, this provides a solid construction suitable for cutting practice. The Ryūshō combines T10 carbon steel, a genuine hamon and a fine hand-finished edge with a striking black-and-gold design, defined by its distinctive dragon and water motif. “Neither bending nor breaking.” (Japanese four-character proverb) 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, black lacquered, with applied dragon motif 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