Koryo Ogon Katana - 黄金龍刀

Hand-forged Koryo Ogon Katana (高麗黄金 — "Goryeo Gold") in 1095 carbon steel with hand polish and raised wave relief on the blade. Full tang, sharpened. Carved copper tsuba with multiple intertwined golden dragons in full 3D openwork — the most sculptural guard in our entire catalog. Brass habaki with oval crest emblem, black cotton ito over genuine rayskin, gold-plated menuki, glossy black magnolia wood saya. Includes black display stand. The guard alone justifies the blade. Everything else just keeps up.

Koryo Ogon Katana Specifications

Multi-Dragon Tsuba — Sculptural Gold

The tsuba is the centerpiece. Multiple golden dragons coil and intertwine across the guard in full three-dimensional relief — each scale individually carved, each claw gripping with tension, the bodies passing over and under each other through openwork gaps. The Ryujin has a single coiled dragon. The Ouryu has twin dragons. The Koryo Ogon katana puts an entire tangle of dragons on one guard — the most complex sculptural tsuba in our catalog. You can spend minutes examining it and still find details you missed.

1095 Steel with Wave Relief

The blade is forged from 1095 carbon steel — the highest carbon grade in our catalog (0.95%), harder than 1060, capable of holding a finer edge. The hand-polished surface carries raised wave patterns you can feel — not flat engravings but dimensional relief sculpted into functional steel. The waves flow like ocean swells frozen mid-motion, catching light differently at every angle. Wave relief on 1095 is demanding work: you are carving into steel hard enough to hold a surgical edge. The blade does it across the blade's length.

Genuine Rayskin & Gold Menuki

Black cotton ito wraps over genuine rayskin (samegawa) — the natural nodular texture confirming authentic construction. Gold-plated menuki sit beneath the wrapping, matching the golden tsuba and brass habaki. The handle stays black: when the guard is this elaborate, the grip steps back. The brass habaki carries an oval crest emblem — a small heraldic accent between blade and dragon guard, the transition from steel to gold.

Black Magnolia Saya

The saya is glossy black magnolia wood — mirror-finish lacquer, no pattern, no decoration. The Kuroki uses natural magnolia (grain visible); the Koryo Ogon katana lacquers it black. The design logic is the same as the handle: when the guard commands this much attention, the scabbard provides the dark frame that makes gold shine brighter. Sheathed, the sword reads as a black rod with an explosion of gold at the guard. Drawn, the wave-relief 1095 blade extends the spectacle.

Koryo Ogon — Goryeo Gold

Koryo (高麗) references the Goryeo dynasty of Korea (918–1392), where dragon symbolism represented royal authority and divine power. Ogon (黄金) means gold. The Koryo Ogon katana channels that East Asian royal tradition where dragons and gold together signified the highest earthly rank. The multiple dragons on the guard suggest not a single protector but a council of divine forces — power multiplied through unity.

Display

Ships with a simple black stand — the dark base letting the golden guard dominate. The Koryo Ogon pairs with the Gold Katana (gold blade, kintsugi saya) or the Ouryu (twin dragon, gold menuki) for a gold-dragon showcase. Solo, the multi-dragon tsuba is the conversation piece. No other guard in the catalog comes close.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many dragons are on the tsuba?

Multiple intertwined dragons in full three-dimensional relief — the most complex sculptural guard in our catalog. Each dragon is individually carved with scales, claws, and flowing body.

What is the wave pattern on the blade?

Raised dimensional wave relief sculpted into the 1095 steel — not flat engraving but tactile texture you can feel with your fingers. Each wave catches light at a different angle.

Is this Koryo Ogon katana sharp?

Yes. The 1095 carbon steel blade is hand-sharpened and functional. Handle with care, store in the saya, and check local regulations before ordering.

Is the rayskin genuine?

Yes. Genuine rayskin (samegawa) beneath the black cotton ito.

What does Koryo Ogon mean?

Koryo (高麗) references Korea's Goryeo dynasty; Ogon (黄金) means gold. The name connects the blade to East Asian royal dragon-and-gold symbolism.