Yamazakura Wakizashi (山桜) – Mountain Cherry Blossom

Yamazakura (山桜): the wild mountain cherry

The yamazakura is the wild cherry of Japan’s mountain ranges, the oldest species, and the most celebrated in classical poetry. Its pale blossoms open alongside the first young leaves, and its flowering at altitude marks the arrival of spring.

This wakizashi pays tribute through its tsuba, where a gnarled trunk and cherry blossoms are carved in relief into blackened iron. The gold flakes scattered across the saya evoke petals drifting through light.

A mirror-polished 1045 steel blade

The blade is forged in 1045 steel, a dependable, robust carbon steel that is easy to maintain. It follows a shinogi-zukuri geometry with a chū-kissaki point.

The finish is mirror-polished, combining a satin grey body with a strikingly contrasted milky-white edge. This notare line is a decorative hamon.

A black mounting with sculpted cherry motifs

The blackened iron mokkō-gata tsuba features irregular openwork (sukashi) and a trunk with cherry blossoms carved in high relief (takabori) against a textured ground, with a rounded rim (maru-mimi) and a hitsu-ana opening. A gilt brass seppa accompanies it.

The fuchi and kashira in plain polished blackened alloy are understated by design. The handle pairs wood with faux black ray skin beneath a brown tsuka-ito braid in hineri-maki, with black menuki. The ichimai habaki in gilt copper carries a floral motif in relief.

A black saya with gold flake accents

The saya is crafted from solid wood and dressed in a high-gloss black lacquer scattered with irregular gold flakes painted in the maki-e tradition. The koiguchi is lacquered in high-gloss black, the kojiri in matte black. The black-lacquered kurikata with gilt shitodome holds a brown cotton sageo.

Dimensions and handling of the wakizashi

With a 51 cm blade and an overall length of 78 cm, Yamazakura carries the proportions of a wakizashi, the short companion to the katana. Its 23 cm handle offers a comfortable single-handed grip, with room for the supporting hand. At 1 kg, it remains nimble to handle. In its saya it measures 80 cm, an ideal format for display on its own or alongside a katana.