Shadow Dancer 9260 Hira Zukuri Katana Nova Series

Combining the best of modern designs with traditional Japanese craftsmanship, this katana from Shadow Dancer’s Nova Series has a hira zukuri (flat and ridgeless) blade forged from 9260 steel. The elevated silicon in the material leads to the production of a blade with superior shock resistance and spring-like flexibility, perfect for practitioners of any level. A bohi on the blade removes non-structural steel to decrease excess weight while also moving the point of balance towards the hilt to improve maneuverability, speed, and target recovery. Heat treated and oil quenched, the blade is mirror polished for a smooth and flawless finish. 

This katana’s koshirae include an iron maru gata (round) tsuba, brass fuchi and kashira with ishime (stone-textured) pattern, as well as brass seppa and habaki. The brass menuki features yaezakura (八重桜), multi-layered cherry blossoms that were once cared for meticulously in gardens of the nobility. Their denser structure compared to the common sakura allows it to be less fragile, bloom longer, and cling longer to the branch, resulting in its representation of resilience, longevity, and survival. 

A mekugi pins the nakago within the wooden Haichi style tsuka covered with white genuine samegawa while synthetic silk ito is used for the tightly wrapped tsukamaki for a solid and longer lasting grip. 

Completing the katana is a black oil lacquered saya with brass shitodome and a matching thickened sageo.