Unryū Tanto (雲龍) – Cloud Dragon

Unryū (雲龍): the cloud dragon

The unryū (the dragon within the clouds) is one of the most celebrated motifs in Japanese art. It appears painted across the ceilings of Zen temples, where it watches over Buddhist teaching, and has long symbolised spiritual power and the bond between earth and sky.

This tanto honours the motif twice: in relief on the tsuba, where the dragon rises from the clouds, and in mother-of-pearl on the saya. The scrollwork of the fuchi and kashira extends the same turbulent sky across the entire mount.

A damascus steel blade with twin grooves

The blade is forged in damascus steel, produced by layering and folding multiple sheets of steel. The resulting folding pattern (in alternating light and dark grey) is crisp and well-defined, brought to life beneath a satin polish.

The geometry follows a shinogi-zukuri profile with a chū-kissaki point and two parallel grooves (futasuji-hi). No hamon is present.

A buke-zukuri mount in cloud dragon style

The round (maru-gata) tsuba in patinated gilded copper features a dragon among the clouds in high relief (takabori) against a polished ground (migaki), with hitsu-ana openings and a rounded rim (maru-mimi). A gilded brass seppa completes the fitting.

The fuchi and kashira, also in patinated gilded copper, are chiselled with cloud scrolls. The handle combines a wood core with black faux ray skin, wrapped in black tsuka-ito in hineri-maki style, with gilded menuki. The ichimai habaki in gilded brass is finely ribbed, with a central medallion engraved in the manner of a kamon.

A black saya with mother-of-pearl dragon

The saya is crafted from solid wood, finished in gloss black lacquer and adorned with a dragon and clouds rendered in mother-of-pearl inlay in the raden tradition, with coloured highlights. The koiguchi and rounded kojiri (maru) are lacquered black in keeping with the scabbard. The ovoid black-lacquered kurikata with gilded shitodome accommodates a black-and-white cotton sageo.

Dimensions and handling of the tanto

With a blade of 33 cm and an overall length of 55 cm, Unryū is a tanto of generous proportions. The 17 cm handle provides a firm single-handed grip, while the total weight of 0.7 kg keeps it notably light in hand. At 57 cm in its saya, it presents beautifully on a display stand, the mother-of-pearl dragon commanding full attention.