Kaiyō means ocean — and this short sword draws like the tide turning. The Kaiyō is a wakizashi cut from T10 tool steel, run through with a bo-hi — the long groove down the blade that lightens the steel and gives it that low, singing draw, like the hush of water pulling back from the shore.
Forging & Steel
The blade is T10 tool steel, a high-carbon tungsten alloy that takes a hard, lasting edge. It carries a genuine hamon — the temper line born in the quench — and the fullered bo-hi that both lightens the blade and sings on the cut. Sharpened and full-tang, it is a working short sword with two real forge features stacked into one entry-level piece.
Mount & Fittings
The mount is fully traditional. A carved gold-plated zinc tsuba guards the collar, a lacquered ebony saya carries a bull-horn kurigata, a gold-plated zinc menuki set rides under the wrap, and genuine shagreen leather covers the tang over bamboo mekugi. Genuine ray-skin and an ebony scabbard at this tier mark the Kaiyō as a blade that has reached above its price for its dress, finishing a sword that earns its ocean name in both look and draw.
Specifications
| Blade steel | T10 steel with hamon and bo-hi (blood groove) |
|---|---|
| Tsuba | Carved gold-plated zinc alloy |
| Saya | Lacquered ebony wood with bull-horn kurigata |
| Tsuka | Genuine shagreen leather |
| Menuki | Gold-plated zinc alloy menuki set |
| Mekugi | Bamboo |
Dimensions
| Total length | 78 cm |
|---|---|
| Blade length | 52 cm |
| Handle length | 23 cm |
| Blade width | 3.2 cm |
| Blade thickness | 0.7 cm |
| Weight | 1 kg |
Is it battle-ready?
Yes. The Kaiyō is a sharpened, full-tang T10 wakizashi with a real hamon and a functional bo-hi — a working short blade at an entry-level price. Pair it with a katana for a daisho, or compare it with the red-Damascus Wakizashi Ryu and the master-grade Wakizashi Kiku.
Verified owner
I ordered and received a Kaiyo Wakizashi. When they say it’s sharp, they mean it’s REALLY sharp. This one got to me faster than the last katana I bought. Customer service was great. Packed securely and arrived without a single scratch. For this price it’s a solid product. I tested it on a pool noodle and figured I’d just rescratch the blade if I had to send the Kaiyo back. It’s a keeper.
The wakizashi is absolutely gorgeous!!! The decorated box it comes in is so worth it, and the engraving too! The feel and sharpness of the sword are top class. The tip I left for the craftsmanship was completely worth it!!!
Thank you for making such a fine sword, it’s everything I was hoping for. Beautiful blade.
Very well made.
Fantastic blade for cutting bamboo!