Shadow Dancer Bonji Sanmai Tamahagane Katana

Stately and distinguished, Shadow Dancer’s Bonji Sanmai is an example of prime craftsmanship. Its shinogi zukuri (ridge line runs along the blade’s length on both sides) blade is forged from tamahagane—steel smelted from raw iron deposits and folded—and undergoes differential heat treatment to produce a beautiful gunome (wave) hamon. Traditional sashikomi polishing by hand accentuates both the stunning hada and temper line, revealing the blade’s true beauty.

Aptly named, this katana comes equipped with premium blackened fittings—including a maru gata (round) sukashi (openwork) iron tsuba along with brass fuchi, kashira, and menuki—with bonji or matching motifs. In Japanese swords, bonji (Sanskrit characters) are used as symbols to represent prayers or specific deities, acting as talismans to guard against evil and grant a successful outcome in battle. Copper toned seppa and two-piece habaki adds a warm contrast, elevating the katana’s prestigious appearance. 

Following tradition, a mekugi secures the full tang blade to the wooden core Haichi style tsuba covered in white samegawa and wrapped tightly using brown silk ito. This katana comes sheathed in a lacquered saya with horn fittings and Japanese imported synthetic silk.