Ryokubai Katana Sword (緑梅) – Green Plum Blossom

Ryokubai (緑梅): the jade plum tree

In Japan, the plum blossom (ume) is the first to bloom at winter’s end, sometimes pushing through snow. It stands for perseverance, hope and renewal. Ryokubai, the green plum, refers to a rare variety whose blossoms carry a subtle green tint, prized among connoisseurs.

This katana draws directly from those colours: a metallic green saya bearing yellow floral kamon, and a silver tsuba on which plum blossoms bloom in raised relief. Its ceremonial mounting, inspired by the tachi, lends the piece a distinctly noble bearing.

A satin-polished manganese steel blade

The blade is forged in manganese steel, a robust alloy steel. It follows a shinogi-zukuri geometry with a chū-kissaki point, the classical form of the Japanese sword.

The surface is brought to a satin polish, which gives the steel a soft, even lustre. There is no hamon and no bo-hi: a restrained blade that allows the mounting to take centre stage.

An itomaki no tachi mounting with plum blossom motifs

This katana is mounted in the itomaki no tachi styl, the ceremonial mounting of swords worn suspended, edge facing downward. The aoi-gata tsuba in patinated silver alloy presents four pierced lobes (inome) against a granulated ground (nanako) ornamented with plum blossoms in relief. Two gilt brass seppa with fluted edges frame it on either side.

The fuchi in silver alloy is chiselled with a frieze of small blossoms, and the pommel is a silver kabutogane chiselled with flowers and fitted with a sarute ring. The handle combines a wooden core with faux white rayskin beneath a green tsuka-ito binding in hineri-maki, with silver menuki set into the wrap. The single-piece habaki (ichimai), in a warm brown-gold copper alloy, carries a floral motif in raised relief.

A metallic green saya designed to hang

The saya is crafted in solid wood, coated in a glittering metallic green lacquer and adorned with yellow floral kamon. Its upper section is wrapped in a green itomaki binding, matched to the handle. It hangs from two ashi in chiselled silver alloy, to which a braided green and yellow cord is secured with obitori-style fittings. The koiguchi and kojiri in chiselled silver alloy with floral detailing complete this ceremonial saya.

Dimensions and handling

With a blade of 71 cm and an overall length of 103 cm, the Ryokubai holds the proportions of a traditional katana. The 26.5 cm handle provides a secure two-handed grip. At 1.3 kg, the piece remains well balanced. It measures 105 cm within its saya, and the ashi allow it to be presented suspended in the manner of a tachi.