Murasaki means violet — the deep, regal purple long associated in Japan with the highest rank. The name is no accident: this katana wears a mirror-polished manganese steel blade that throws unmistakable violet reflections across its surface, shifting as it turns under the light. It is an entry-level collector’s piece built first and foremost to be seen.
The 71 cm blade is straight rather than curved, polished to a mirror finish that carries the violet sheen the sword is named for. This is a decoration-oriented katana — not intended for cutting — and it makes no apology for it: the whole piece is designed to sit on a stand and draw the eye, with detailing lavished on the saya, the tsuba and the cord wrap rather than on a hardened cutting edge.
Forging & Steel
The blade is manganese steel, a high-carbon alloy here finished with a deep mirror polish that gives it the violet reflection. Because it is conceived as a display blade with a straight profile, treat it as a showpiece rather than a tameshigiri cutter — its job is the shelf, and it does that beautifully.
Fittings & Mounting
The tsuba is finely carved brass, warm against the cool violet steel. The lacquered saya is richly detailed, and the solid-wood tsuka with shagreen-imitation under-wrap carries a tightly bound tsuka-ito that finishes the piece. Every visible element is dressed for display.
Specifications
| Blade colour | Violet reflections |
|---|---|
| Blade steel | Manganese steel |
| Tsuba | Finely carved brass |
| Saya | Lacquered wood |
| Tsuka | Solid wood with shagreen imitation |
Dimensions
| Total length | 103 cm |
|---|---|
| Blade length | 71 cm |
| Handle length | 26 cm |
| Blade width | 3.2 cm |
| Blade thickness | 0.75 cm |
Usage
The Murasaki is a display katana, intended for decoration rather than cutting. Its straight, mirror-polished blade and detailed mounting make it a timeless collector’s piece for the wall or the stand. If you want an entry blade you can also take to tatami, look at the Katana Fuyu; for a folded blade that cuts and displays, see the mid-range Katana Hana.
Verified owner
