Cherry Blossom Katana (Differentially Tempered)

The cherry blossom, or sakura, is a national symbol of Japan, and tradition holds that there is no greater glory for a samurai than to fall in battle in a field of cherry blossoms. This katana embodies a metaphor of the transience of life and death. The blackened crimson tones beautifully reflect this theme. The premier version of our popular Cherry Blossom Katana. The cutting edge features a striking and highly defined hamon, each unique to the individual blade, much like a steel fingerprint. This is a visual mark of differential heating in the tempering process achieved by coating portions of the blade in a viscous clay based paste, but not others, allowing the sections to heat, insulate and cool at different rates. This produces is a complex molecular structure in the steel of the blade allowing for a harder cutting edge and more flexible body resulting strong, resilient sword capable of highly precise cuts. A great choice for the new or seasoned practitioner of Tameshigiri, the art of the "test cut".

Overall: 39 1/2"
Blade Length: 27 1/4""
Handle Length: 10 1/2"
Weight: 2 lbs 6 oz
Thickness at Guard: 7.5mm
Thickness at Tip: 2mm
Sori: 3/4"
Blade Steel: 5160
Hrc Edge: 60
Hrc Back: 40

Specifications may vary from piece to piece.