Katana “Sumibi”

Japanese Samurai Sword with Red Lacquered Saya and Folded T10 Blade The lacquered hardwood saya of the Sumibi is finished in a warm, deep red and covered with fine black speckles across its entire surface. The irregular pattern adds depth to the otherwise understated lacquer and creates a subtly changing appearance depending on the light. The brown sageo made from Japanese silk complements the warm tones of the saya and continues the colour scheme throughout the fittings. This combination of deep red and dark speckling also gives the katana its name: Sumibi (炭火) – “Embers”. The tsuka is underlaid with black faux rayskin and tightly wrapped with brown Japanese silk. The dark texture beneath remains visible through the diamond-shaped openings of the ito. The tsuba, fuchi and kashira are made from brass and finished in warm, slightly antique-looking tones. The tsuba is particularly distinctive with its detailed natural landscape scene, complementing the restrained colour palette of the katana. The hand-forged blade is made from folded T10 carbon steel. The folding process creates a fine layered pattern across the blade surface, giving each blade a slightly individual character. Traditional differential clay hardening produces a genuine, wave-like hamon along the cutting edge. A subsequent sand polish provides an even finish and brings out both the hardening line and the layered structure of the folded steel. A full tang secured within the tsuka by two mekugi provides a solid construction. The sharpened blade is suitable for cutting practice. With folded T10 carbon steel, genuine differential clay hardening, Japanese silk wrapping and its characteristic red-and-black saya, the Sumibi combines functional construction with a warm, distinctive design. “Sit on a stone for three years and even the stone grows warm.” 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 imitation rayskin Tsuba (handguard): Brass Fuchi (collar): Brass Kashira (pommel): Brass Menuki (handle ornaments): Brass Ito (handle wrap): Wrapped in brown Japanese silk Saya (scabbard): Hardwood, red lacquered with black speckling 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: Yes Full tang: Yes (2 mekugi) Sand-polished: Yes Sharpened with Japanese water stones: No Bo-hi (blood groove): Yes 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