Asazakura Wakizashi (朝桜) – Morning Cherry Blossoms

Asazakura (朝桜): cherry blossoms at dawn

Asazakura speaks of cherry trees in bloom at first light, when dew still clings to the petals and the early morning sky washes them in rose. It is a moment of stillness and renewal, one long celebrated in Japanese poetry.

This wakizashi renders that moment in steel and lacquer: clusters of cherry blossoms on a red saya, pierced flowering branches in the tsuba, and a rising sun over the sea engraved in relief on the habaki.

A 1045 steel blade with bo-hi

The blade is forged in 1045 steel, a reliable, straightforward high-carbon steel that is easy to maintain. Its geometry follows shinogi-zukuri proportions with a chū-kissaki tip, and a bo-hi fuller that terminates in a rounded maru-dome before the point.

A satin polish gives the steel a soft, understated lustre. No hamon is present.

A black mounting with pierced cherry blossoms

The round maru-gata tsuba in blackened iron is pierced ji-sukashi with cherry blossom branches and flowers, the petals rendered in slight relief (takabori), with a polished migaki surface and a rounded maru-mimi rim. A gilt brass seppa accompanies it.

The fuchi and kashira in polished blackened alloy are left smooth. The handle pairs wood with black faux-rayskin beneath a red tsuka-ito wrapped in hineri-maki, with black menuki. The ichimai habaki in gilt copper depicts in relief the ocean, the rising sun and seagulls taking flight.

A red saya with cherry blossom clusters

The saya is crafted from solid wood, finished in a brilliant aka-nuri red lacquer and hand-painted with clusters of white and pink cherry blossoms. The koiguchi and kojiri are fashioned in the same brilliant red lacquered wood. The red-lacquered kurikata, fitted with a gilt brass shitodome, holds a red cotton sageo.

Dimensions and handling

With a blade of 51 cm and an overall length of 78 cm, Asazakura carries the true proportions of a wakizashi, the shorter companion to the katana. Its 23 cm handle offers a comfortable one-handed grip, with room for the supporting hand. At 1 kg, it remains nimble and well-balanced in use. Sheathed, it measures 80 cm, a format that presents its painted saya to finest effect.