Kikumon — 菊紋 — is the chrysanthemum crest, the emblem of Japanese royalty, and this katana carries that imperial association from its name to its gilded fittings. It pairs traditional majesty with modern performance, a mid-range blade dressed for ceremony yet built to cut.
Forging & steel
The blade is forged from 1095 high-carbon steel, a steel chosen for its ability to take and hold a sharp edge. Along the edge runs a claw-shaped hamon, the temper line drawn out in the hardening as the edge cools faster than the spine. High-carbon 1095 rewards a keen edge and a confident cut, holding its sharpness through repeated work, and at 1.7 kg this is a substantial blade with real presence in the hand — heavier than the lighter pieces in the range, with the authority to match the imperial name.
Fittings
The hand is guarded by a gilded pure-copper tsuba sculpted with chrysanthemum motifs in keeping with the name. The saya is ebony wood fitted with a bull-horn kurigata; the tsuka wears genuine stingray leather over a gold-plated copper menuki kit, pinned with two bamboo mekugi for a secure, luxurious grip.
Specifications
| Blade steel | 1095 steel with claw hamon |
|---|---|
| Tsuba | Pure copper, sculpted gold (chrysanthemum) |
| Saya | Ebony wood with bull-horn kurigata |
| Tsuka | Genuine stingray leather, gold-plated copper menuki, 2 bamboo mekugi |
Dimensions
| Total length | 103 cm |
|---|---|
| Blade length | 72 cm |
| Blade width | 3.2 cm |
| Blade thickness | 0.7 cm |
| Handle length | 25 cm |
| Weight | 1.7 kg |
Is it battle-ready?
Yes. 1095 high-carbon steel holds a sharp edge and cuts confidently, making Kikumon a functional sword as much as a regal display piece. Collectors drawn to its gilt fittings often compare it with the mirror-polished T10 Ikoi or the folded Shiroi ki, both mid-range blades dressed with the same care. Browse the full katana range.
