Bamboo Citadel Katana with Pure Iron Tsuba

Citadel is a well-known brand in the industry due to their completely handmade swords and knives in Cambodia. Their Bamboo Katana is a lightweight and agile sword that has been beautifully designed with the sword wielder in mind.

Hand forged from imported European DNH7 high carbon steel and differentially hardened, the resulting blade is strong and holds its edge remarkably well. The blade also features an elegant hamon and bohi (fuller) that extends into the habaki (blade collar) to lighten the overall weight of the sword without sacrificing strength while improving its point of balance.

This katana is equipped with a fully handmade iron mokko gata (lobed shape) tsuba. Not only is it cut and engraved by hand, the "nanako" or stippled pattern on the tsuba is also done painstakingly by hand, a feat of patience which results in a stunning display. As the name of the katana implies, the tsuba features a bamboo motif, a symbolism of strength in the face of adversity due to its quick growth and ability to bend even against the strongest winds. Additionally, the sekigane (metal inserts above and below the opening for the blade) are made of copper, a softer metal to allow for easier shaping when fitting it to the blade. With time, if the fit loosens, the sekigane can be easily readjusted. This detail is usually only found in handmade Japanese tsuba, reflective of the level of care by skilled artisans in Citadel.

The wooden core tsuka and saya are also hand carved to fit each blade to ensure a proper fit. The tsuka is first fully covered in samegawa tightly held in place by genuine Japanese imported silk. This beautiful katana is completed by the black lacquered saya with a semi-gloss finish with ray skin wrap near the opening of the saya.

Deceptively plain, this masterpiece has been diligently crafted with high quality materials and detailed with precision, giving its wielder an exceptional experience. This stunning piece is also available as a wakizashi for those interested in completing a daisho collection.