Shadow Dancer Dragon Year Katana Koshirae – Collector’s Limited Edition

Imposing and glorious, Shadow Dancer’s Dragon Year Katana is a limited edition sword designed specifically for serious collectors. Its shinogi zukuri (ridge line runs along the blade’s length on both sides) blade is forged from crucible steel, a material chosen for its resemblance in appearance to tamahagane steel. The differential heat treatment and clay tempering process yields a genuine hamon that is accentuated through traditional sashikomi polishing. 

Highly ornate premium blackened brass fittings with gold accents adorn this sword including a maru gata tsuba, fuchi, kashira, and menuki. The motif on this katana’s koshirae is of an unryū, 雲龍 (Cloud Dragon) over rōtō, 浪頭 (turbulent waves), symbolizing mastery over the elements, perseverance, divine authority, and unwavering composure throughout perilous battles. Brass seppa and habaki complement the other fittings. 

The wooden Haichi style tsuka is covered with white samegawa while the tightly wrapped tsukamaki uses Japanese silk ito.  Hishigami (folded paper wedges) beneath the wrap provide a more solid and durable grip. One mekugi is seen securing the full tang blade within the handle.

Last but not least, this katana is housed in a glossy lacquered saya with a pattern reminiscent of smoldering embers. The scabbard is fitted with horn koiguchi and kurigata, brass kojiri and shitodome, as well as a high quality Japanese imported sageo.