Katana Murasaki (Damascus Steel with Hamon)

In Japanese, murasaki is both the color purple — particularly the deep purple of the Lithospermum erythrorhizon blossom — and the name traditionally attributed to the author of The Tale of Genji, Murasaki Shikibu (c. 970–1014). Purple was the most noble color of the Heian court, reserved for ladies of the highest rank. The Katana Murasaki pays tribute to that regal literary quality.

The Damascus steel blade with an authentic hamon (nagasa approximately 70 cm, hardness 58–60 HRC) carries a double visible treatment: the layered Damascus patterns and the undulating differential temper line.

The fittings adopt the Heian purple palette: deep purple ito over light samegawa, a silver-patinated tsuba with a Lithospermum flower motif (five petals), a night-black lacquered saya with deep-purple gradients, and lavender sageo. Burnished silver habaki.

A display piece for readers of The Tale of Genji — available in an outstanding English translation by Royall Tyler — a literary library or boudoir accent, or a gift for students of Japanese literature or collectors who favor regal color palettes. A katana that evokes the 1,300 pages of the world’s first novel.