Shadow Dancer Dragonfly Koshirae Crucible Kanmuriotoshi-Zukuri Katana

This beautiful Shadow Dancer Dragonfly Katana has a blade forged from crucible steel, a material prized for its ability to visually resemble tamahagane blades. The blade’s kanmuriotoshi zukuri, 冠落し造り(translating to “crown drop-off,” referring to the distinctive tapering from the blade’s back toward the tip) style originated from the late Heian and Kamakura periods (11th to 14th centuries). Mostly used on shorter weapons and polearm tips, the blade’s reduced overall forward weight shifts the point of balance towards the hand, making the sword feel lighter and more maneuverable. Differentially heat treated and clay tempered, the blade’s jihada and resulting suguha (straight) hamon is made even more prominent through traditional sashikomi polishing. 

Aptly named, this katana comes equipped with detailed tonbo (dragonfly) koshirae, including a blackened iron maru gata (round) sukashi (openwork) tsuba, blackened brass fuchi and kashira with gold accents, and gold-toned menuki. Deeply rooted in Japanese history, the dragonfly is celebrated in the Kojiki text (~700 CE) where Emperor Jinmu named Japan Akitsushima, meaning Dragonfly Island. The dragonfly is also affectionately dubbed as kachimushi, 勝ち虫 (victory insect) due to its fiercely forward flight pattern without retreating, symbolizing swiftness, courage, and unwavering resolve. Other complementary fittings are brass seppa and habaki. 

This katana’s nakago is pinned using one mekugi within the wooden Haichi style tsuka covered in black genuine samegawa. The tightly wrapped tsukamaki uses Japanese silk ito with hishigami pro (folded paper wedges) additions for a longer lasting and solid grip. 

Completing this beautiful piece is an amber mottled oil lacquered saya with horn fittings, brass shitodome, and Japanese rayon sageo.