Kage no Michi Katana Sword (影の道) – Path of Shadows

Kage no Michi Katana Sword (影の道) specifications

• Hand-forged by our master swordsmiths.
• T10 steel blade, sharpened or unsharpened at choice, full tang.
• Hamon (刃文): genuine hamon midare obtained by differential tempering.
• Bo-Hi (棒樋): visible on the blade.
• Scabbard (Saya 鞘): transparent lacquered wood revealing the natural grain, with black Kojiri and Koiguchi.
• Sageo (下げ緒): black.
• Handle (Tsuka 柄): genuine white stingray leather on a wooden core.
• Tsuka-ITO (柄糸): black braided in a diamond pattern.
• Menuki (目貫): golden dragon.
• Guard (Tsuba 鍔): splendid carved brass guard depicting a samurai on one side and a skull on the other.
• Fuchi (縁): hammered brass.
• Kashira (頭): hammered brass.
• Habaki (鎺): smooth brass decorated with a kamon.

Dimensions

• Blade length: 27.95in
• Overall length including handle: 40.55in
• Length with scabbard: 41.34in
• Handle length: 10.43in
• Blade thickness: 0.28in
• Blade width: 1.26in
• Weight: 2.76 lb
• Package weight: 3.42 lb

Accessories

• Scabbard: Included
• Katana stand: Not included

Kage no Michi katana sword: design and finishes

The Kage no Michi (影の道) katana sword, which translates as “Path of Shadow,” evokes the secret philosophy of warriors who have mastered the art of moving in the dark. This name refers to the ancestral techniques of samurai and shinobi. The term “michi” (道) refers to a path, a path of personal development that transcends simple martial technique to become a philosophy of life.

Its T10 steel blade reveals a genuine midare hamon obtained through differential tempering, creating natural undulations that dance along the cutting edge like moonlight reflecting on water. The bo-hi carved into the blade lightens the whole while producing that characteristic whistling sound when cutting. The carved brass tsuba is a work of art in itself: on one side it features a samurai in meditation, and on the other a skull reminding us of the impermanence of all things. The handle (tsuka) combines genuine white stingray skin (samegawa) with black braiding (tsuka-ito) in a diamond pattern, while the golden menuki represent a dragon, a symbol of power and wisdom. The hammered brass elements (fuchi and kashira) harmoniously complete the ensemble, and the habaki, decorated with a traditional kamon, ensures a perfect fit in the scabbard. Its transparent lacquered wooden scabbard allows the natural grain of the wood to be admired while providing optimal protection for the blade.