Ryūjin Katana (T10 Damascus Steel & Genuine Hamon) - 竜神

Hand-forged Ryujin Katana (龍神 — "Dragon God") in T10 Damascus steel — refined T10 core with Damascus pattern-welded outer layer and genuine hamon. Full tang, sharpened. Silver-plated iron tsuba with a full three-dimensional dragon coiled around the guard in silver and gold, brass-and-copper habaki, black cotton ito over genuine rayskin, lacquered magnolia wood saya wrapped in genuine stingray leather, buffalo horn koiguchi and kurikata. Includes natural wood display stand with 武 (Bu — "martial") kanji. T10 Damascus, 3D dragon tsuba, stingray saya, buffalo horn, genuine rayskin — this blade and the Ginkai are the two flagships of our catalog.

Ryujin Katana Specifications

T10 Damascus — Dual-Layer Construction

The blade uses a composite construction: refined T10 tool steel at the core for hardness and edge retention, with a Damascus pattern-welded outer layer for visible grain and structural resilience. Over both layers, a genuine hamon temper line runs the blade's length — the boundary between hard cutting edge and flexible spine. This is not standard single-steel construction. The T10 core provides 60-62 HRC at the edge; the Damascus jacket provides shock absorption and the flowing grain pattern visible on the polished surface. The Ryujin katana combines the best properties of both steels in one blade.

3D Dragon Tsuba — Ryujin Coiled

The tsuba is the centerpiece. A fully three-dimensional dragon wraps around the silver-plated iron guard — its scaled body coiling through and around the disc, head positioned at the top, gold-accented claws gripping the rim. Every scale is individually sculpted. The dragon does not sit on the tsuba; it IS the tsuba. This level of sculptural metalwork is the most complex guard in our entire catalog — including the Ginkai. The silver plating over iron gives the dragon a cool metallic sheen, while the gold claws and accents provide the warm contrast. Handling the Ryujin katana means gripping beneath a dragon — the deity physically present at the point where your hand meets the blade.

Stingray Saya & Buffalo Horn

The saya is lacquered magnolia wood wrapped in genuine stingray leather — black, textured, with the distinctive granular surface that stingray provides. Stingray is the most durable natural covering material available for scabbards: resistant to moisture, abrasion, and wear in ways lacquer alone cannot match. Buffalo horn koiguchi (saya mouth) and kurikata (cord knot) complete the premium material palette. The Ryujin and the Kuroki are the only blades in our catalog using stingray on the saya — on the Ryujin, it wraps the entire scabbard. The connection to the dragon god mythology is direct: stingray is ocean material housing a blade dedicated to the ocean deity.

Ryujin — Dragon God of the Sea

Ryujin (龍神) is the dragon god who rules the ocean from an underwater palace (Ryugu-jo) in Japanese Shinto mythology. He controls tides with magical jewels, summons storms when angered, and protects worthy sailors. Coastal communities across Japan maintained shrines to Ryujin, offering prayers before voyages and thanks after safe returns. The Ryujin katana translates that devotion into steel: the dragon guards the wielder, the Damascus waves represent the deity's domain, the stingray saya connects blade to ocean. Understanding what premium katana construction costs starts here — where every material serves the mythology as much as the function.

Display

Ships with a natural wood stand bearing the kanji 武 (Bu — "martial"). The Ryujin and the Ginkai form our flagship pair: Ginkai tells its dragon story through blade engraving and hitatsura; Ryujin tells its through the sculptural tsuba and stingray saya. Display them together for the definitive dragon-themed showcase, or solo where the 3D tsuba commands attention from across the room.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the dual-layer blade construction?

The blade has a T10 tool steel core (for hardness at the cutting edge) wrapped in a Damascus pattern-welded outer layer (for resilience and visible grain). This composite approach combines the strengths of both steels — harder edge than Damascus alone, more resilient body than T10 alone.

Who is Ryujin?

Ryujin (龍神) is the dragon god of the sea in Japanese Shinto mythology. He rules the ocean from an underwater palace, controls tides, summons storms, and protects sailors. Coastal communities maintained shrines to Ryujin for centuries.

Is this Ryujin katana sharp?

Yes. The T10 Damascus blade is hand-sharpened and functional. Handle with care, store in the saya, and check local regulations before ordering.

Is the stingray on the saya real?

Yes. The saya is lacquered magnolia wood wrapped in genuine stingray leather. Stingray provides a distinctive granular texture and superior durability compared to standard lacquer finishes.

What is the kanji on the stand?

The kanji 武 (Bu) means "martial" or "warrior" — the same character found in bushido (武士道, "way of the warrior"). It marks the stand as purpose-built for a martial weapon.