Shinkurai Katana Sword (真暗雷) – Dark Thunder

Shinkurai Katana Sword (真暗雷) specifications

• Hand-forged by our master swordsmiths.
• Damascus steel blade, sharpened or unsharpened at choice, full tang.
• Scabbard (Saya 鞘): Red lacquered solid wood with lotus-shaped kamon motifs, black rings at the kojiri and koiguchi.
• Sageo (下げ緒): Black.
• Handle (Tsuka 柄): Genuine white stingray leather and hardwood.
• Tsuka-ITO (柄糸): Black braided above the handle in diamond patterns.
• Menuki (目貫): 3 black and gold mitsu tomoe.
• Guard (Tsuba 鍔): Copper alloy in the shape of a cross with gilded edges and a black hammered interior with mitsu tomoe.
• Fuchi (縁): Hammered black alloy.
• Kashira (頭): Hammered black alloy with mitsu tomoe.
• Habaki (鎺): Gilded brass with black motifs.

Dimensions

• Blade length: 71 cm
• Overall length including handle: 104 cm
• Length with scabbard: 106 cm
• Handle length: 26 cm
• Blade thickness: 0.7 cm
• Blade width: 3.2 cm
• Weight: 1.4 kg
• Package weight: 1.7 kg

Accessories

• Scabbard: Included
• Katana stand: Not included

Shinkurai Katana Sword: Design and finishes

The name Shinkurai (真暗雷) evokes the mysterious power of thunder rumbling in the darkness. This Japanese name combines “Shin” (真), meaning true or authentic, “Kurai” (暗) for dark or obscure, and “Rai” (雷) for thunder. This katana sword thus embodies the authentic force that emerges from darkness, like a revealing flash of lightning piercing the veil of night to illuminate hidden truth.

The Damascus steel blade reveals undulating patterns reminiscent of lightning streaking across the night sky, while its natural steel finish lends it a sober and formidable elegance. The copper alloy tsuba takes the form of a cross with golden contours, its hammered black interior proudly displaying the mitsu tomoe symbol, which represents the balance of cosmic forces. The handle harmoniously combines authentic white stingray skin (samegawa) and hardwood, wrapped in black Tsuka-ITO braiding with diamond patterns that provide a firm and aesthetic grip. The menuki represent three black and gold mitsu tomoe, a spiritual echo of the guard’s motif. The blood-red lacquered scabbard contrasts beautifully with the black rings of the Kojiri and Koiguchi, while the lotus-shaped kamon motifs evoke purity emerging from troubled waters.