Sakura Higo O-Kissaki Katana

This Sakura Higo O-Kissaki Katana from Shadow Dancers is a formidable yet distinguished looking piece with a Shinogi Zukuri blade forged from crucible steel, clay tempered, and mirror polished to reveal a suguha (straight) hamon. Secured to the handle with a mekugi, the blade also has a bohi that functions to lighten the weight of the sword and improve its point of balance.

The blade also has an o-kissaki, a blade tip that is larger than the width. This design began in the 14th century, appearing on large blades. This katana is equipped with an iron maru gata (round) tsuba; cupronickel fuchi, kashira, and menuki; silver brass seppa, and cupronickel habaki. As its name implies, the fuchi and kashira features sakura motifs.

Complementing its overall design is the Haichi style tsuka covered in genuine white samegawa held in place by genuine silk blue ito. The katana is then sheathed in an oil lacquered saya with cupronickel shitodome that prevents the thickened sageo from fraying.