Japanese Swords

The clouds gather in the sky as the sun sets golden on the horizon as the birds find their refuge. The roar of the wind and thunder become indistinguishable amongst the claps of lightening. In the distance the rising spiral of wind and debris twist in to the heavens while the dragon’s torrent builds to its destructive climax as the legend manifests devastation before your fear filled eyes.

The artisans of Dragon King unveil their latest embodiment of Japanese lore in the Tatsumaki Katana.

Total Length: 203cm
Blade Length: 71cm
Grip Length: 29cm
Weight: 1050g
Edge: Sharp

All dimensions are approximate and may vary from piece to piece.

The Saviour Katana by Dragon King embodies the power of the Kami (guardian spirit) throughout the entire motif. From the fuchi-kashira, menuki, fuchia and to the tsuba, our artisans convey this ancient theme beautifully without being gaudy or pretentious. The silver sword menuki compliments the white same (ray skin) and black cotton tsuka-ito (handle wrap) and the notched silver seppa (spacers).

The forged T10 steel blade features true clay-tempering that produces a distinctive hamon (temper line). The traditional polish brings out the real hamon and a mirror shinogi-ji (flat section). The HRC 60 edge and HRC 40 back are ideal for cutting if you wish to put it to the test. The blade rests in a deep blue saya (scabbard) with a buffalo horn kurikata (knob) contrasted by the white, yellow and blue sageo (cord). When you grip the Saviour Katana in your hands, you become one with the musubi as the katana becomes an extension of your soul.

Overall Length: 110cm
Blade Length: 74cm
Handle Length: 31cm
Weight: 1134g
Blade Steel: 5160
Blade Edge: Sharp

All dimensions are approximate and may vary from piece to piece.

The Lotus Seed Wakizashi is inspired by the lotus plant, whose cyclical life cycle, from humble seed to stately flower, represents the circular journey of enlightenment. Rooted in mud, the lotus presents a beautiful pure blossom. Like the lotus blossom, the Lotus Seed Wakizashi transitions through various shades of violet from the wrapped cotton ito to the gold and purple cord wrapping on the smooth deep, dark lacquered sheath. Copper seeds accent the blackened furniture throughout the handle. The immaculately detailed budding seed pod following the shedding of its petals centers the entire piece. Silver dragonfly accents splash highlights across the hilt. The 19.38 inch forged T10 blade is differentially hardened (HRC 60 edge, HRC 40 spine) and features a midare or irregular hamon line, much like the path of life with its ups and downs. The Lotus Seed Wakizashi makes a bold statement both physically and metaphorically without being audacious in design. The matching Lotus Seed Katana (SD35270) is sold separately to complete your daisho.

T10 is the Chinese equivalent of 1095, but it has silicon added as an alloying element to improve the steels strength and wear resistance properties. T10 blades are able to be tempered to a high hardness and hold an edge well. Similar to 1095, rust resistance is low, and T10 blades must be carefully maintained.

Overall Length: 70cm
Blade Length: 50cm
Handle Length: 16.5cm
Weight: 652g
Point of Balance: 11cm
Sori: 1.2cm
Blade Steel: T10
Edge: Sharp
Scabbard: Black Lacquered Wood

All dimensions are approximate and may vary from piece to piece.

The sound of sea waves can invoke a serene calmness and relaxation or fear and mortal dread when violently stirred. In medieval Japan the “katana” was symbol of peace, power and order but when in the wrong hands could be used for chaos, death and destruction. Our Sea Wave Katana and Wakizashi from Dragon King embody similar dualities in their existence.

The placid blue saya conceals a rippling folded steel blade featuring bo-hi (groove) collared by a silver hibaki and notched seppa. The hada and hamon mirror the silver turbulent waves depicted tsuba, kashira and fuchi. Silver and gold menuki contrast against the dark blue tsuka handle wrap overlaid white same (ray skin). A blue and white sageo complete the saya accented by buffalo horn kurikata and koiguchi. 

Overall Length: 103cm
Blade Length: 70cm
Handle Length: 29cm
Weight: 953g
Blade Steel: T10
Blade Edge: Sharp

All dimensions are approximate and may vary from piece to piece.

Continuing our themed katana series, our Summer Lotus Katana articulates every aspect of this fruitful season. The tsuba expresses a water garden, lotus flower and tree motif reflected in the snail and frog menuki (handle ornaments), symbols of fertility and good fortune.

The blackened tsuba, fuchi, tsuka-ito (handle wrap) and fuchi-kashira contrast the real white same (ray skin) handle, the notched seppa (spacers), silver habaki (blade collar) and the green textured lacquered saya (scabbard). The 5160 forged carbon steel blade features a 1 ½" kissaki (point) and blade geometry conducive to rigorous cutting without chipping on soft and semi-hard targets.

Overall Length: 104cm
Blade Length: 71cm
Handle Length: 29cm
Weight: 1134g
Sori: 1.6cm
Blade Steel: 5160
Hrc Edge: 60
Hrc Back: 40
Blade Edge: Sharp

All dimensions are approximate and may vary from piece to piece.

The sakura, the cherry blossom, explodes brilliantly and gorgeously in the Spring but then soon falls. History teaches us there was no greater glory for a samurai warrior to fall in battle in a field of scattered cherry blossoms. Our Spring Sakura Katana represents this beautiful Japanese metaphor of the transience of life. The blackened fuchi, kashira and ornate stainless cherry blossom tsuba accents the forged and through-hardened 27" blade. The 5160 forged high-carbon steel blade features a 1 ½" kissaki (point) and marquenched to an edge hardness of 57HRc with blade geometry conducive to rigorous cutting without chipping or deformation on soft and semi-hard targets.

Contrasted only by the crimson tsuka-ito (handle wrap), same (ray skin) on the wood core handle, the notched seppa (spacers), silver habaki (blade collar) and cherry blossom menuki (handle ornaments) represent the only vivid aspects of this sobering piece. The black lacquered saya (scabbard) features a buffalo horn rimmed koiguchi (scabbard mouth) and wood kurikata (knob) and black sageo (cord).

Overall Length: 101cm
Blade Length: 69cm
Handle Length: 29cm
Weight: 1162g
Blade Steel: 5160
Blade Edge: Sharp

All dimensions are approximate and may vary from piece to piece.

The artisans of Dragon King offer us another exquisite piece of revered symbolism from Japanese culture with the Pine Crane Daisho Set. The red-crown crane holds profound respect and power in the Japanese mythos believed to live for a thousand years. As a symbol of authority, a Japanese idiom says, “one word from the crane” referring to the final word that isn’t challenged. Marrying the symbolism of the pine tree, another icon of power, longevity and wisdom, Shinto beliefs state that the gods of heaven reside in the ancient pines. Often used in wedding attire, the red-crown crane mates for life.

The Pine Crane motif carries throughout both pieces in stirring flows of earth tones. The embossing on the bronzed steel tsuba, fuchi and kashira is so finely detailed echoing life in art. The black cotton ito (handle wrap) is beautifully contrasted by the white same, silver crane menuki, seppa, habaki and the bronzed fittings. The 27 7/8” forged T10 blade boasts a gorgeously prominent hamon with a mirror finished ji and mune. The 1 ½” kissaki pierces quick and deep as the bill of crane. Like the crane, this katana is long yet very light considering the blade length and the 12” tsuka (handle). The textured brown saya contains all this majesty and power highlighted by the first 8 ¼” black and matte striped paint with a charcoal and copper accented sageo and buffalo horn korikata and kojiri.

Overall Length: 110cm
Blade Length: 74cm
Handle Length: 31cm
Weight: 1134g
Blade Steel: T10
Blade Edge: Sharp

All dimensions are approximate and may vary from piece to piece.

Dragon King pays homage to the renowned military leader, Oda Nobunaga of the Sengoku period in the Tenka Fubu Katana which was his motto “the nation under one sword.” Powerful, ruthless and audacious the Tenka Fubu Katana possesses all the elements that Oda Nobunaga was known for during his rule in medieval Japan. Most prominent on the tsuba (guard) features the kabuto of Oda Nobunaga and on the fuchi-kashira (pommel) the kabuto of his most bitter rival, Takeda Shingen. The fuchi (collar) bears a war fan and battle flag to commemorate his victory in 1560 at Dengakuhazama where he raised his battle flags over the rise of a hill to fool Imagawa's forces to think he was encamped there, while he and a handful of men snuck around for a sneak attack which afterward changed the course of Japan’s history. Oda Nobunaga’s passion for warfare to bring about a unified Japan was only matched by his love for poetry and tea ceremony which are memorialized by the silver menuki (handle ornaments).

The red lacquered saya holds the true symbol of Oda Nobunaga’s power, a 28 ½” forged steel blade, and symbolizes the blood that was shed to achieve his ambitions. The saya is adorned with a buffalo horn kurikata (knob) and kojiri (cap) and brown and gold sageo (cord) which unifies the piece to the brown tsuka-ito (handle wrap) over white same (ray skin). A must have for collectors but very much a functional piece, one especially built well enough that Oda Nobunaga himslef would be proud to carry.

Overall Length: 110cm
Blade Length: 74cm
Handle Length: 31cm
Weight: 1134g
Blade Steel: 5160
Blade Edge: Sharp

All dimensions are approximate and may vary from piece to piece.

Dragon King delivers yet again a simple yet most powerful katana motif in the Kohaku Katana. The koi kohaku (carp) battles up the rivers and climbs up waterfalls to reach its destiny which speaks to the symbolism of overcoming all adversity to achieve your goals.

The koi kohaku is embossed on the fuchi (collar) and fuchi-kashira (pommel) and in the pierced, black round tsuba. The silver, wave menuki (handle ornaments) compliment the black tsuka-ito (handle wrap) and white same (ray skin). The wavy hamon (temper line) of the 27 1/2" forge steel blade echos the overall motif from kissaki (blade point) to the habaki (blade collar). A beautiful black lacquered saya with a buffalo horn kurikata (knob) is graced with a coral and white sageo (cord).

Beautiful and unpretentious in design but powerfully symbolic in the subtlest of appurtenances, the Kohaku Katana embodies everything the modest warrior wants in a samurai sword.

Total Length: 98cm
Blade Length: 70cm
Handle Length: 27cm
Weight: 1134g
Sori: 1.3cm
Blade Steel: T10
Blade Edge: Sharp

All dimensions are approximate and may vary from piece to piece.