Shiroi ki — 白い木 — means white wood, the look of unblemished, pale timber, and the name sets the tone: natural elegance carried over raw strength. This mid-range katana plays that contrast across every part, from the gray steel that recalls raw iron to the magnolia-wood handle that gives the sword its name.
Forging & steel
The blade is forged from folded Damascus steel. The repeated folding builds the layered grain that gives the blade superior strength, a lasting edge and that striking, flowing surface no stamped steel can copy. Each fold welds more layers together, refining the steel and leaving the wave pattern that runs the length of the blade as a record of the work that went into it. Its gray tone deliberately recalls raw steel — restrained rather than polished bright — in keeping with the “white wood” idea, letting the grain speak instead of a flashy finish. At 75 cm the blade is on the longer side for the range, giving it real reach and a deliberate, weighted presence in the hand.
Fittings
An intricately carved copper tsuba protects the hand and balances the weapon. The saya is solid wood; the tsuka is wrapped in lacquered magnolia wood and genuine stingray leather for a durable, confident grip that suits the sword’s natural, understated character.
Specifications
| Blade steel | Damascus steel |
|---|---|
| Blade color | Gray |
| Tsuba | Finely sculpted copper |
| Saya | Solid wood |
| Tsuka | Lacquered magnolia wood with shagreen (fish leather) |
Dimensions
| Total length | 100 cm |
|---|---|
| Blade length | 75 cm |
| Blade width | 3.2 cm |
| Blade thickness | 0.7 cm |
| Handle length | 26 cm |
Is it battle-ready?
Yes. Folded Damascus steel brings genuine strength and edge retention, making Shiroi ki a functional sword as much as a display piece. Collectors of folded steel often pair it with the entry-level Ten or step up to the 1095 Kikumon, each carrying a different character of high-carbon steel. Browse the full katana range.
