Shadow Dancer Nova Battle Ready Silver Cloud Carbon Steel Katana with Bohi

Part of Shadow Dancer’s Nova series which blends modern design with traditional craftsmanship, the Silver Cloud katana is a regal and refined piece with an air of cold lethality.

Its shinogi zukuri (ridge line runs along the blade’s length) blade is forged from 9260 spring steel, where the higher percentage of silicon in the material results in a sharp blade with impressive flexibility and shock resistance. Heat treated and oil quenched, the exceptionally durable mirror polished blade is perfect for both new and experienced practitioners. The bohi helps decrease the weight of the sword and shifts its point of balance towards the handle, improving its performance by increasing agility and responsiveness. 

As its name implies, this katana features a brass maru gata (round) tsuba with cloud motifs, and other matching fittings such as a brass fuchi with a three-clawed dragon as well as a brass kashira with flames. 

Everchanging, the clouds on the tsuba serve as a reminder of impermanence, divine presence, and prosperity. It sets the background for a dragon hiding among the clouds, with only its three claws appearing on the fuchi. Unlike Chinese imperial dragons often depicted with four or five claws, the three-clawed dragon is the standard in Japanese mythology, representing supreme protection, wisdom, and strength. Meanwhile, the flames featured on the kashira symbolize divine protection and spiritual purification. Other complementing fittings include brass seppa and habaki. 

A single mekugi secures the blade’s full tang within the wooden Haichi-style hilt which is covered with black samegawa wrapped tightly using gray synthetic silk tsuka ito. This stunning piece comes sheathed in a silver oil lacquered katana with abstract white lines, paired with an alloy shitodome and thickened sageo.