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.
Hand-forged from high-quality carbon steel for optimal durability. Full tang construction. Complimentary wooden display stand included with your order. Built to last.
$240
free shippingEvery piece is unique, hand-forged
Shirayuki, literally “white snow,” is the Japanese term for freshly fallen snow that has not yet been walked on: a clean, reflective surface, slightly bluish in shade. In the northern Tohoku and Hokkaido prefectures, homes become winter observatories from which to admire shirayuki. The Katana Shirayuki is built to be admired as if seen through a frosted window.
The 1060 carbon steel blade receives a particularly luminous polish that returns white-blue hues under daylight. Nagasa approximately 70 cm, hardness 58–60 HRC, restrained sori curve. The surface is hand-finished to prevent scratches that would break the snow effect.
The fittings reinforce the glacial palette: snow-white ito over light samegawa (rarely seen this light), a patinated silver tsuba with a hexagonal snowflake motif, a pearl-white lacquered saya with blue undertones, and a light-gray sageo. Habaki in matte silver.
A piece to consider for collectors decorating with Nordic or Scandinavian palettes, display cases beside a fireplace, or décor for living rooms with raw wool rugs. Particularly appreciated by those who have visited Otaru in winter or photographed snow-covered rooftops in the gassho-zukuri villages of Shirakawa-go.
| 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.