Shōgun (将軍) is the supreme commander — the military ruler who governed Japan in the emperor’s name. A sword that takes the title has to carry authority, and this one does it through an unusual all-copper mounting that sets it apart from any wood-saya katana on the rack.
Forging & Steel
The blade is forged from Damascus steel, the folded layers surfacing as the characteristic flowing wave pattern. Folding builds strength, flexibility and durability into a single blade and gives the grey steel its depth — the same fold that raises the grain also works resilience into the edge. The result is a functional cutter dressed for command, as much a statement piece as a working sword. The folded structure also means each blade carries its own grain, so no two are exactly alike, and the steel keeps the resilience to take repeated cuts without taking a set.
Fittings
What makes the Shōgun unusual is the metalwork. A finely carved copper tsuba guards the fingers and resists corrosion, but the saya too is hand-carved copper with intricate detailing — rarely seen on a katana — and the tsuka is copper as well. The all-metal mounting gives a balanced, substantial weight that rewards precise handling through kata or cutting, and the worked surfaces make the sword a centrepiece on the stand.
Specifications
| Blade steel | Damascus steel |
|---|---|
| Blade colour | Grey |
| Tsuba | Finely sculpted copper |
| Saya | Hand-carved copper |
| Tsuka | Copper |
Dimensions
| Total length | 115 cm |
|---|---|
| Blade length | 72 cm |
| Blade width | 3.2 cm |
| Blade thickness | 0.7 cm |
| Handle length | 26 cm |
Is it battle-ready?
Yes. The folded Damascus blade is sharpened and functional, and the copper mounting gives a balanced weight for precise kata and cutting. The added mass settles the sword in the hand and steadies the swing, while the copper fittings shrug off corrosion with minimal care. Wipe the Damascus blade clean and keep it lightly oiled after use, and the metal mounting will need little more than an occasional polish. Browse the full katana collection, or compare with the folded-Damascus Katana Shujin and Katana Tokugawa.
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