John Lee "Zaza" Iaito Katana

John Lee "Zaza" Iaito Katana – The Spirit of Bamboo

Nature-Inspired Design

At first glance, the elegant black glossy scabbard (saya) catches the eye, decorated with delicate gold bamboo leaves. This motif is repeated on other parts of the sword. The blackened guard (tsuba) features an openwork design in the shape of bamboo stalks and leaves. However, what elevates this model above ordinary replicas is the use of real buffalo horn on the high-stress parts of the scabbard (koiguchi throat, kurigata knob, and kojiri cap). The handle is covered with genuine ray skin and wrapped in black cotton, complemented by a distinctive two-tone black and white sageo cord.

Ideal for Worry-Free Training

The blade is hand-forged from 420 stainless steel. Why stainless? Because with a practice sword, you don't want to spend hours polishing off rust after every touch. The blade is blunt, ensuring safety when practicing complex drawing techniques. Thanks to the groove (bo-hi), the sword is lighter and produces a characteristic whistle (tachikaze) during a correct swing, providing you with immediate feedback on your cutting technique. The sword is fully dismountable; the blade is secured in the handle by two bamboo pegs (mekugi).

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Care and Maintenance

Although the blade is made of stainless steel, I recommend wiping it with a dry cloth after training to remove sweat and dirt. Protect the wooden scabbard from extreme temperature changes and humidity. Thanks to the high-quality materials, this sword will serve you for years.

Samurai swords warranty

Specifications