Eien (永遠) means eternity — the name for a blade meant to outlast its owner and be handed down. This katana makes the case in red: a fiery red Damascus blade, a red lacquered saya carved in relief, and a stingray-skin handle dyed to match. It is as much heirloom as training sword, a piece that pairs traditional patterning with real cutting effectiveness.
Forging & Steel
The blade is forged from Damascus steel, folded so the layers surface as the flowing, water-like grain no stamped steel can imitate, then finished in a deep red. Folding gives Damascus its combination of cutting effectiveness and visual depth, working strength and flexibility into the same bar of steel. A bo-hi fuller runs the length of the blade, lightening it and producing the singing draw prized in fast practice while sharpening the feedback on your edge alignment.
Fittings
A finely sculpted copper tsuba guards the hand, with copper menuki under the wrap. The red lacquered saya is worked in relief and fitted with a black sageo for sharp contrast, and the tsuka is bound over red stingray leather for a secure, weather-resistant grip. Two bamboo mekugi secure the full tang traditionally, so the handle can be drawn for maintenance.
Specifications
| Blade steel | Red Damascus steel with bo-hi |
|---|---|
| Tsuba | Finely sculpted copper |
| Saya | Red lacquered wood in relief with black sageo |
| Tsuka | Red stingray leather |
| Menuki | Copper |
| Mekugi | 2 bamboo |
Dimensions
| Total length | 103 cm |
|---|---|
| Blade length | 72 cm |
| Blade width | 3.2 cm |
| Blade thickness | 0.7 cm |
| Handle length | 27 cm |
| Weight (with scabbard) | 1.4 kg |
Is it battle-ready?
Yes. The folded Damascus blade is sharpened and functional, well balanced at 1.4 kg and easy to handle for cutting practice and kata. The bo-hi shifts mass back toward the hand, so the sword feels quick despite its full size. See the full katana collection, or compare with the Katana Tokugawa and the dragon-themed Katana Doragon, both folded Damascus blades.
