Kurosame Katana Sword (黒鮫) – Black Shark

Kurosame (黒鮫): the black shark

In Japan, ray skin (samegawa) has been used for centuries to wrap sword handles: its natural grain provides a secure, lasting grip. Kurosame, the black shark, here refers to the dark covering that sheathes the scabbard of this katana.

Every element is conceived in a spirit of restraint and practicality: a plain black mounting without ornament, a satin-black blade, and a leather shoulder strap for carrying the katana. Only the gilded menuki and the silver frieze along the blade bring any light to the composition.

A black blade with a tanto-style bevelled point

The blade is crafted from manganese steel, a robust alloy. It follows a shinogi-zukuri geometry, terminating in a tanto-style bevelled point whose bevel is left in polished steel.

The surface is satin black, engraved along the full length of the spine (mune) with a frieze of silver arabesques. There is neither hamon nor bo-hi.

A refined black mounting

The round (maru-gata) tsuba in blackened alloy presents a smooth, polished (migaki) surface, free of decoration, with a rounded rim (maru-mimi). The fuchi and kashira in plain blackened alloy are matched to it, the kashira presenting a straight cap.

The handle combines a wooden core with black faux ray skin, wound in black tsuka-ito, and fitted with gilded menuki, the sole luminous accent of the mounting.

A faux-samegawa leather scabbard with shoulder strap

The saya is of solid wood, wrapped in black faux-samegawa leather, with the characteristic grain of ray skin. It is equipped with laced black leather attachment tabs and a supplied adjustable black leather shoulder strap with a metal buckle. The koiguchi, lacquered in textured black, is reinforced with laced leather, and the rounded kojiri (maru) is lacquered in textured black.

Dimensions and handling

With a blade of 71 cm and an overall length of 103 cm, Kurosame carries the proportions of a true katana. Its 26.5 cm handle allows a firm two-handed grip. At 1.2 kg, it remains light for its size. It measures 105 cm in its scabbard, and the shoulder strap allows it to be worn or suspended with ease.