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Katana with blue wrapping and koi carp motif
Are you drawn to the way of the samurai and looking for a weapon that blends traditional craftsmanship with profound Japanese symbolism? This fully functional katana, featuring the resilient Koi carp as its central motif, represents a perfect harmony of elegant form and lethal function. Forged from folded carbon steel, the blade will amaze you not only with its razor-sharp edge but also with the beautiful grain of thousands of fine layers. It is a fully capable tool designed for practising traditional martial arts and cutting tests. Whether you are a dedicated martial artist or a passionate collector of bladed weapons, this excellently balanced sword will become the unmistakable centrepiece of your collection. Further product information ...
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Sharp Folded Steel Katana with Blue Wrap and Koi Motif
Historical Context and Symbolism of the Koi Carp
In Japanese culture and mythology, the Koi carp (Nishikigoi) holds a highly privileged position. According to ancient legend, a carp that can swim against a strong current and leap up a waterfall transforms into a powerful dragon. For this reason, the motif became a prominent symbol on samurai swords, representing immense courage, unyielding perseverance, strength, and success. Samurai warriors believed that carrying this symbol would grant them unwavering resolve in battle and assist them in overcoming any obstacle in life.
Construction and Traditional Sword Fittings
The heart of this weapon is the blade (nagasa), hand-forged from 1045 carbon steel. During the forging process, the steel was folded and hammer-welded twelve times, creating approximately 8000 micro-layers. This meticulous process not only yields a gorgeous, highly visible Damascus-style grain pattern but also enhances the structural integrity of the blade. The blade features a longitudinal fuller (bo-hi), which reduces the overall weight, shifts the point of balance closer to the guard, and produces a characteristic, satisfying whistling sound (tachikaze) when a cut is executed with proper alignment. The blade is separated from the guard by a solid brass collar (habaki). The round guard (tsuba) itself is a masterpiece. Made of metal with a brass finish, it is intricately pierced with raised motifs of Koi carp swimming amidst turbulent waves. The wooden handle (tsuka) is covered with genuine rayskin (samegawa) and tightly bound with a traditional diamond-pattern wrap (tsuka-ito) made of dark blue cotton. Nestled beneath the wrap on both sides are decorative metal ornaments (menuki), also shaped like carp. The blade's tang (nakago) extends deep into the handle and is securely fastened with a single bamboo peg (mekugi). The sword is accompanied by a classic wooden scabbard (saya) finished in matte black, complete with a dark blue tying cord (sageo) that perfectly matches the handle wrap.
Safe Usage Guidelines and Tameshigiri
This sword is built for practical use and is delivered extremely sharp. It is perfectly suited for practising traditional forms (kata) and executing cutting tests (tameshigiri) on soft targets, such as soaked straw mats (tatami omote) or water-filled PET bottles. We strongly warn you, however, that this katana is under no circumstances intended for historical contact fencing, HEMA, theatrical combat, or any edge-on-edge parrying! Clashing sharp blades together will cause catastrophic edge chipping and ruin the sword. This is a real, lethally dangerous weapon. Any handling, drawing practice, or cutting is done entirely at your own risk. Always ensure that no people or animals are within your reach during practice.
Proper Care for Carbon Steel
Folded carbon steel is highly susceptible to rust if not given proper care. Never touch the bare blade with your fingers, as the acidic oils from your skin will cause immediate oxidation. After every training session, and especially after cutting (e.g., damp mats), it is absolutely essential to clean the blade thoroughly, wipe it completely dry, and protect it with a fine layer of special clove oil (choji) or high-quality gun oil. Store the weapon in a dry place within the provided cloth bag. Although the sword is secured by a mekugi peg, we do not recommend dismantling the handle without the proper expertise, to avoid compromising the tight fit of the assembly.
Technical Specifications
| Blade Material | Folded 1045 carbon steel (approx. 8000 layers) |
| Blade Length (Nagasa) | 71.5 cm (28.15 inches) |
| Handle Length (Tsuka) | 28.5 cm (11.22 inches) |
| Overall Length (without saya) | 101 cm (39.76 inches) |
| Handle Material | Wood, genuine rayskin (samegawa), cotton wrap |
| Scabbard (Saya) | Wood, black lacquer |
| Weight (without saya) | 960 g (2.12 lbs) |
| Included Accessories | Certificate of authenticity, cloth bag, wooden collector's box |
Recommended Accessories
To properly maintain this functional sword, we highly recommend purchasing a traditional katana cleaning kit, which includes wiping paper (nuguigami), polishing powder (uchiko), conservation oil, and a small brass hammer (mekugi-nuki) for any future maintenance of the fittings.
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