Tsukihana Wakizashi (T10 Steel) - 月華

Handcrafted Tsukihana Wakizashi (月花 — "Moon and Flowers") in T10 tool steel with genuine clay-tempered hamon. Full tang, sharpened. Copper tsuba with openwork pattern and sculpted gold chrysanthemums, brass habaki, white cotton ito over synthetic rayskin, white lacquered saya with painted dragon-and-plant motif, navy-white braided sageo, silver kojiri. Includes reddish wooden display stand with mon. T10, genuine hamon, gold chrysanthemums — the most premium wakizashi in our catalog.

Tsukihana Wakizashi Specifications

T10 Steel with Genuine Clay-Tempered Hamon

The blade is forged from T10 tool steel — tungsten-content high-carbon reaching 60-62 HRC — with a genuine hamon produced through traditional clay tempering. The gunome pattern (rounded repeating lobes) runs the blade's length, the boundary between hard martensite edge and softer pearlite spine clearly visible on the polished surface. This is the only wakizashi in our catalog with T10 steel and genuine clay-tempered hamon — the same premium combination found on our flagship katana. The Shinku uses Damascus without hamon; the Kurohana uses 1060 with bo-hi. The Tsukihana wakizashi combines premium steel with real differential hardening.

Gold Chrysanthemum Tsuba

The copper tsuba features an openwork crackle pattern with sculpted gold chrysanthemums (kiku 菊) blooming at the junction between guard and handle. The chrysanthemum is the imperial flower of Japan — the Emperor sits upon the Chrysanthemum Throne, and the sixteen-petal kiku serves as the imperial family crest. Gold chrysanthemums on a white-and-navy wakizashi create the aristocratic palette historically reserved for the highest ranks. The brass habaki beneath carries matching openwork detail.

White Saya with Painted Motif

The saya is white lacquered solid wood with a painted scene covering the lower portion — plant motifs in gray-green and blue tones with dragon elements, the illustration flowing across the white surface in the sumi-e tradition. White saya are rare in our catalog: the Shirayuki Tanto and this wakizashi are the only two. White shows every mark and demands meticulous care — choosing white announces confidence in maintenance discipline. The navy-white braided sageo and silver kojiri maintain the cool, refined palette.

White Handle — Moonlight Aesthetic

White cotton ito wraps the handle in a chevron/torsade pattern — a different wrapping style from the standard diamond (hineri-maki versus katate-maki). The wrapping reads as delicate and refined, matching the white saya and gold chrysanthemum theme. The Tsukihana wakizashi commits fully to its moonlight palette: white handle, white saya, gold flowers, polished T10 steel, navy sageo as the only dark accent. No compromise colors, no hedging.

Tsukihana — Moon and Flowers

Tsukihana (月花) combines the two pillars of Japanese aesthetic philosophy: the moon (tsuki 月 — clarity, transience, romantic longing) and flowers (hana 花 — beauty that fades, mono no aware). The ideal samurai mastered both bu (武 — martial arts) and bun (文 — literary arts). The Tsukihana wakizashi embodies that balance: T10 steel and genuine hamon for the warrior, gold chrysanthemums and white silk for the poet. It is a blade for those who understand that strength and gentleness coexist.

Display & Collection

Ships with a reddish wooden stand bearing an engraved mon. The Tsukihana pairs with the Shinku (crimson Damascus — opposite palette) and Kurohana (black-gold 1060 — opposite color) for a three-wakizashi display. Pair with the Shirayuki Tanto (white sumi-e) for a white-themed short blade set, or with any katana for a premium daishō — the white-gold palette matches the White Katana or Shirokuro particularly well.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the hamon genuine clay-tempered?

Yes. The hamon is produced through traditional clay tempering (tsuchioki) — clay on the spine, exposed edge quenched. The gunome pattern is a genuine boundary between hard and soft steel zones, not an acid-etched or painted line. This is the only wakizashi in our catalog with genuine clay-tempered hamon.

What are the gold flowers on the tsuba?

The sculpted gold flowers are chrysanthemums (kiku 菊) — the imperial flower of Japan and symbol of the Chrysanthemum Throne. They are three-dimensional relief sculptures, not flat engravings.

Is this Tsukihana wakizashi sharp?

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

Will the white saya yellow?

White finishes can yellow with prolonged UV exposure. Display away from direct sunlight and store in protective cloth when not displayed. With proper care, the white lacquer maintains its brightness.

How does this compare to the other wakizashi?

The Shinku is Damascus with red-black ito — theatrical crimson. The Kurohana is 1060 with bo-hi and gold menuki — black-gold ornate. The Tsukihana is T10 with genuine hamon and gold chrysanthemums — white-gold premium. It sits at the top of our wakizashi lineup in both steel quality and heat treatment.