Fūsui Ryū Katana Sword (風水龍) – Wind and Water Dragon

Fūsui Ryū (風水龍): the dragon of wind and water

In Japanese tradition, the dragon is a creature of waters and skies. It dwells in rivers and seas, rising into the clouds to bring rain. Wind (fū) and water (sui) are its twin domains, and this katana unites them around its form.

Here, the theme envelops the entire piece: the guard, the fuchi, the kashira, the handle and even the saya are carved with motifs evoking air, water and dragons. This is a mounting conceived as a single, unbroken composition.

A straight black blade with a bevelled tip

The blade is crafted from manganese steel, a robust alloyed steel. Its form is immediately distinctive: a straight blade ending in a bevelled tip, recalling ancient Japanese swords and the ninjatō.

Its surface is black, traced with a white frieze along the spine (mune), like a thread of water running the length of the blade. It bears neither hamon nor bo-hi.

A mounting sculpted to the elements

The tsuba is a small round guard in black alloy, carved with motifs evoking air, water and dragons. The fuchi and kashira carry the same sculpted décor in black alloy.

Notably, the handle is not wrapped: it is solid wood covered in faux leather bearing the same relief motifs, in seamless continuity with the guard. Handle, guard and saya together form one uninterrupted sculpted surface.

A relief-carved saya

The saya is solid wood covered in faux leather with relief motifs that mirror those of the handle. The koiguchi and kojiri are in sculpted black alloy, evoking a water dragon. Saya and handle correspond so closely that once the blade is sheathed, the katana appears carved from a single piece.

Dimensions and handling

With a blade of 71 cm and an overall length of 103 cm, the Fūsui Ryū carries the dimensions of a traditional katana despite its straight blade. Its 26.5 cm handle allows a two-handed grip, and the relief carving offers a confident hold. At 1.3 kg, the balance is well maintained. It measures 105 cm in its saya, ideal for display that showcases the sculptural work to full effect.