Yin & Yang Katana – T10 Steel with Notare-Gunome Hamon - 3-Tone Polish
This katana belongs to Ghost Blades' Premium tier, which means advanced craftsmanship, carefully selected materials, and a construction that combines aesthetics with functionality at the highest level.
The Yin & Yang Katana is a visual and technical representation of balance. The contrast between light and darkness is reflected throughout the sword, from the blade's vibrant hamon to the saya's unique texture and finish. The result is a sword that is not just a tool, but an expression of harmony between opposites.
The Blade
The blade is forged from T10 carbon steel and undergoes a traditional differential hardening, where the edge is hardened more than the spine. This creates a clear and lively hamon (notare-gunome) and gives the blade an optimal combination of sharpness and flexibility.
The blade features an advanced 3-tone polish, where each part of the blade receives a distinct finish:
-The spine (mune) is mirror-polished and reflects light with high precision
-The mid-section (shinogi-ji) has a frosty, hazy finish that creates contrast and depth
-The edge highlights the wavy hamon line, also known as notare-gunome, which runs along the blade with an organic and lively expression
This polishing is labor-intensive and is used on more exclusive blades to create a clear separation between the blade's different zones, both visually and in terms of craftsmanship.
Tsuba & Tsuka
The tsuba has a distinct and well-thought-out design where the contrast between light and dark elements reinforces the sword's Yin & Yang theme. It is constructed with a dark, textured core with a woven pattern that provides depth and structure, surrounded by a segmented light metal frame. This combination creates a visual interplay between balance and separation, much like the concept behind the sword.
Details in the form of subtle inlays and contrasting metal tones give the tsuba an exclusive and modern interpretation of traditional Japanese aesthetics, while maintaining a robust and functional construction.
The habaki is made of brass with a decorative structure that adds further layers of detail near the base of the blade.
The handle is wrapped in light cotton tsuka-ito over genuine samegawa. The light tones in the handle create a strong contrast against the darker parts of the sword, reinforcing the overall concept of duality.
Saya
The saya's design is one of the sword's most unique features. It is made of solid wood and partially wrapped in stingray skin at the sageo, giving it an unusual and exclusive impression. The surface is then polished and lacquered to a high-gloss finish, creating a depth where material and light interact in a way that enhances the sword's visual contrast, in line with the Yin & Yang theme.
Details such as koiguchi, kurigata, and kojiri are made of horn, which both strengthens the construction and adds a traditional premium feel.
The sword is equipped with a silk-blend sageo, tied in a classic style.
Specifications
Blade
Steel: T10
Hardening: Differentially hardened
Hamon: Notare-Gunome
Polishing: Hand-polished
Dimensions
Blade length: 71 cm
Handle: 27 cm
Overall length: 103 cm
Weight: approx. 1.4 kg
Mounting
Tsuba: Copper
Habaki: Brass
Fuchi & Kashira: Copper
Handle
Tsuka-ito: Cotton - traditional wrap (Hineri maki)
Samegawa: Genuine stingray skin
Saya
Material: Wood
Surface: Stingray skin (partially)
Finish: High-gloss lacquer
Kojiri / Kurigata / Koiguchi: Ox horn
Sageo: Silk-blend weave
NOTE!
This is a handmade sword. Variations in pattern, hamon, and surface finish are natural and a sign of genuine craftsmanship; no two examples are identical.