John Lee – Long Version

John Lee "Red Wood" Iaito – Long Version

The Beauty of Wood and Functional Design

The dominant feature of this sword is the beautiful scabbard (saya), lacquered in a red-brown hue with the cha-ishime style. This matte lacquer allows the wood grain to subtly shine through, creating a very natural and elegant appearance. The handle (tsuka) is constructed in the traditional manner – a wooden core covered with real ray skin and tightly wrapped in black cotton, ensuring the sword won't slip in your hand. The blackened guard (tsuba) with an openwork motif adds visual lightness to the weapon.

Safety and Feedback

The blade is hand-forged from 420 stainless steel. While this material is not used for sharp combat katanas, it is the perfect choice for a blunt practice Iaito – it is tough, sturdy, and above all, rust-resistant. The blade is blunt, which is essential for safe training. Thanks to the groove (bo-hi), the blade is lighter and produces a characteristic whistle (tachi-kaze) during a correct swing, giving you immediate feedback on the quality of your cut. The sword is fully dismountable; the blade is securely fastened in the handle with two bamboo pegs (mekugi).

Samurai swords warranty

Care and Maintenance

A major advantage of the stainless blade is easy maintenance. You don't have to worry about the blade rusting if you forget to oil it after training (although I always recommend basic cleaning to remove sweat). The sword comes in a protective fabric bag, perfect for transport to your training sessions.

Specifications