Mokuro Kageuchi Katana - 楼影打

Specifications:

• Handcrafted
• Full tang construction
• SHARP blade
• Blade: 1060 carbon steel
• Machine-made hamon
• Rosewood tsuka and saya
• Iron-alloy tsuba
• Total length: 105 cm
• Blade length: 72 cm
• Blade width: 3.2 cm
• Blade thickness: 0.7 cm

• Handle length: 30 cm

Mokuro Kageuchi Katana - Shadow Wood Japanese Samurai Sword

Wood. Real, actual wood grain visible on both scabbard and handle, not imitation, not painted pattern - genuine wood texture running the full length of this katana. The Mokuro Kageuchi doesn't hide its materials behind lacquer; it celebrates them. Those natural browns and tans with visible grain patterns create this organic, earthy aesthetic that feels fundamentally different from the usual blacks and metallics.

The scabbard showcases beautiful wood grain flowing along its length - you can see the growth rings, the natural color variations, the way the grain shifts and swirls. It's like holding a piece of the forest itself, shaped into functional form. Each piece will be genuinely unique because wood grain never repeats exactly - your Mokuro Kageuchi is literally one of a kind.

The blade features those gentle white wave or cloud engravings that flow with organic grace. Against the mirror-polished steel, they create this soft, almost meditative pattern - nothing aggressive, just natural forms suggesting water flowing or clouds drifting. The restraint matches the earthy scabbard perfectly; both elements letting natural beauty speak for itself.

That golden habaki provides the only metallic warmth, creating necessary visual punctuation between wood and steel. The simple rectangular form keeps things minimal, letting the material quality do the talking rather than elaborate decorative work.

The handle continues the natural wood theme with visible grain and a small circular mon (family crest) providing the only decorative element. Most katana handles are wrapped in leather or fabric over ray skin; this one says "here's wood, beautiful in its natural state, no need to cover it up." It's bold honesty about materials.

"Mokuro Kageuchi" likely translates to something involving wood (moku) and shadow (kage) - and looking at that natural brown coloring, you can see forest shade, tree shadow, the darkness under canopy where wood waits to be shaped into weapons. It's earth element rendered directly, honestly, without pretense.

What makes this special is how rare it is to see exposed wood on katanas. Most hide everything under lacquer or wrapping because wood requires careful maintenance. The Mokuro Kageuchi chooses authenticity over convenience - if you want natural beauty, you accept the responsibility of caring for it properly.

The secondary scabbard appears to share the same natural wood aesthetic, creating complete commitment to organic materials throughout. No mixed messages, no hedging bets - just wood, steel, and brass working together in their natural states.

For collectors who appreciate organic materials, craftspeople who value visible grain and natural texture, or anyone drawn to that specific intersection where martial function meets forest aesthetics - this delivers. It's not trying to be flashy; it's trying to be true to its materials, and there's real beauty in that honesty.

Display considerations: wood requires different care than lacquer - avoid extreme humidity or dryness, keep it oiled appropriately, understand that patina will develop over time. But that's part of the appeal; this sword will age with character rather than just deteriorating.