Forging
The blade takes shape beneath the hammer. Each layer of steel is folded and re-welded under heat to create a core that is both strong and flexible.
Every piece is unique, hand-forged
Akebono, in Japanese, describes the exact moment when the night sky begins to lighten on the horizon: no longer night, not yet dawn. A fragile suspension lasting only minutes. The Katana Akebono is a replica designed to be admired at that time of day, when indirect light reveals without flattening.
The 1060 carbon steel blade has a satin finish that captures diffused light better than a mirror polish: no direct reflections, only a gentle metallic shimmer. Nagasa approximately 70 cm, hardness 58–60 HRC, moderate sori curvature typical of the classical katana.
The fittings play on the transition from night to day: dark blue ito that shifts to gray on the raised sections, patinated iron tsuba with ochre highlights (evoking the first sun on steel), black scabbard with gray glints in the lacquer, cream-colored sageo. Burnished copper habaki.
A replica for east-facing studies and libraries, spaces with large windows where the first light crosses the room, and collectors’ showcases attuned to chromatic subtlety. A katana for quiet mornings.
| Type | Japanese katana (uchigatana) |
|---|---|
| Blade | carbon steel 1060 (≈ 56-58 HRC) |
| Forging | by hand, traditional quench-hardening |
| Nagasa (blade length) | ≈ 73 cm (≈ 28.7 in) |
| Total length | ≈ 104 cm (≈ 40.9 in) |
| Weight | ≈ 1 kg (≈ 2.2 lb) |
| Tsuka (handle) | hand-wrapped (cotton tsuka-ito) |
| Tsuba (guard) | chiseled alloy on both sides |
| Saya (scabbard) | lacquered wood with matching sageo |
| Mekugi (peg) | traditional bamboo |
| Habaki | hand-finished brass |
Time-honored craft. Masterful gesture. A one-of-a-kind, hand-forged piece built to last.
The blade takes shape beneath the hammer. Each layer of steel is folded and re-welded under heat to create a core that is both strong and flexible.
The steel is brought to high temperature, then quenched rapidly: this fast cooling hardens the edge and reveals the hamon, the wavy line that runs along the blade.
The smith hand-polishes the blade with natural stones of increasing grit, revealing its luster, its edge, and the soul of the steel.
Each blade is crafted by master artisans according to traditional forging techniques.
Acciai al carbonio o Damasco ad alta tenuta, scelti per la loro resistenza e la tenuta del filo.
We guarantee our welds and assemblies for life.
Our team replies within 24 hours, by email or chat.
You have 30 days from delivery to return your order. Full refund, no questions asked, as soon as the piece reaches us in its original packaging. Return shipping is on us for any defect found, and a flat fee for a simple change of mind. Our goal: that you fall completely in love with your blade.