The Work

Mokume-pattern 350-layer Damascus steel, sterling silver, fossilized ivory, Gaboon ebony, water buffalo horn
Crafted for a pen collector, this Shikomi Zue echoes the form of a writing instrument with its pen clip motif and elegant silhouette. The blade is forged from 350 layers of Mokume-pattern Damascus steel and housed in polished Gaboon ebony with water buffalo horn accents. Sterling silver fittings and a fossilized ivory jewel cap complete the piece, merging function with refined artistry.

Tamahagane steel, sterling silver, water buffalo horn, cocobolo wood
A contemporary take on the aikuchi mounting, Moro-Ha Sharp Clip features a double-edged blade forged from Tamahagane, the revered steel of Japanese swordsmiths. The guardless form emphasizes stealth and flow. Sterling silver menuki shaped like arrows (ya) suggest precision and speed. A cocobolo wood saya, capped with water buffalo horn, balances natural warmth and strength.

350-layer Damascus steel, sterling silver, water buffalo horn, cocobolo wood
A concealed blade of quiet refinement, Shikomi Zue is forged from 350 layers of patterned Damascus steel. Sterling silver and water buffalo horn fittings offer contrast to the warm cocobolo wood sheath and handle. Inspired by traditional weaponry and modern aesthetics, this piece fuses functionality and artistry into a seamless, discreet silhouette.

Tamahagane steel, sterling silver, 18kt gold, cocobolo wood, velvet
A refined take on the traditional kozuka, this piece features a Tamahagane blade in a sterling silver handle, hand-worked in a basket weave motif. An 18kt gold menuki katana honors martial tradition and fine craftsmanship. The cocobolo wood case, velvet-lined for protection, holds an embedded 18kt gold Mon—an emblem that seals the work with personal and historical meaning.

Differentially hardened moro-ha blade, sterling silver, 18kt gold, quartz matrix
A refined fusion of stealth and craft, Shikomi Zue features a differentially hardened moro-ha blade, sharpened along both edges, including the spine. Sterling silver fittings are accented with 18kt gold set in natural gold quartz, creating striking contrast between metal and mineral. Designed for concealment and elegance, the piece embodies quiet strength and precision.

Tamahagane steel, sterling silver, indigo lacquered wood, silk, ray skin
A refined expression of Japanese swordcraft, Tsuru features a Tamahagane blade with sterling silver kanagu. The indigo lacquered saya contrasts with a teal silk ito wrap over natural ray skin. A white silk sageo completes the ensemble, evoking the elegance and grace of the crane for which the piece is named.

Damascus blade, itame pattern, sterling silver fittings, carnelian stone, Honduran Rosewood, water buffalo horn
Prairie Dog Shikomi Zue features a Damascus blade with an itame pattern and sterling silver fittings, hand-carved in carnelian stone. The handle and case are crafted from Honduran Rosewood and water buffalo horn, with an intaglio prairie dog paw print on the case, combining both craftsmanship and nature in a unique, functional design.

Tamahagane katana, copper kanagu, iron tsuba, steel blue silk, black lacquered same and saya, buffalo horn fittings
This Tamahagane katana is adorned with copper kanagu and an iron tsuba. The tsuka is wrapped in steel blue silk ito over black lacquered same, while the saya features a matching black lacquer finish with buffalo horn fittings. The piece evokes a dragon drifting through clouds beneath an eclipsed moon, steeped in mystery, movement, and quiet strength.

Tamahagane blade with choji hamon, sterling silver kanagu, indigo blue suede, black lacquered same
Dragon Warrior Katana features a Tamahagane blade with a prominent choji hamon, embodying both strength and grace. The sterling silver kanagu is shaped in a dragon motif, symbolizing power and protection. The tsuka is wrapped in indigo blue suede over black lacquered same, blending traditional craftsmanship with striking, tactile elegance.

Tamahagane blade, sterling silver kanagu, shark skin saya, water buffalo horn, gold silk ito, black lacquered same, Damascus kozuka
Moon Bat Katana features a Tamahagane blade with sterling silver kanagu and a shark skin–covered saya capped in water buffalo horn. Gold silk ito wraps the tsuka over black lacquered same, with bat-shaped menuki. A double-edged Damascus kozuka accompanies the piece, engraved in a “moon in the clouds” motif—melding night symbolism with refined detail.

Tamahagane blade, sterling silver kanagu, copper habaki, black cotton ito and sageo, natural same, black calfskin saya, buffalo horn fittings
Max Bamboo features a Tamahagane katana adorned with sterling silver kanagu in a bamboo motif and a copper habaki. The tsuka is wrapped in black cotton ito over natural same, paired with a black cotton sageo. The saya is covered in black calfskin and fitted with water buffalo horn, combining organic texture with refined strength.

Tamahagane blade, sterling silver kanagu, black same, blue silk ito, black & blue sageo, Damascus shuriken
Cherry Blossom Aikuchi features a Tamahagane blade with sterling silver kanagu in a cherry blossom motif. The saya and tsuka are covered in black same and wrapped in blue silk ito, paired with a black and blue sageo. The piece is accompanied by a Damascus shuriken in a ladder pattern, blending elegance and stealth in a compact, refined form.

Tamahagane blade, sterling silver menuki & habaki, float copper kanagu, American black walnut, cotton sageo
Loyal Friends features a Tamahagane wakizashi with sterling silver dog menuki and habaki. The kanagu are crafted from Upper Peninsula float copper, set in a tsuka and saya of American black walnut with a cotton sageo. Hidden in a secret pocket at the end of the tsuka is hair from the honored dogs—an intimate tribute to loyalty and memory.

Cocobolo wood, sterling silver, gold leaf
This custom Bokken & Shoto Daisho set was specially crafted for Mitsugi Saotome Shihan. Made from richly grained cocobolo wood, the pieces rest in a hand-crafted daisho kake featuring sterling silver seats. The stand is adorned with gold leaf detailing over the Saotome family Mon, honoring legacy, lineage, and masterful discipline in form and material.

Cocobolo wood, sterling silver, gold leaf
This custom Bokken & Shoto Daisho set was specially crafted for Mitsugi Saotome Shihan. Made from richly grained cocobolo wood, the pieces rest in a hand-crafted daisho kake featuring sterling silver seats. The stand is adorned with gold leaf detailing over the Saotome family Mon, honoring legacy, lineage, and masterful discipline in form and material.

Tamahagane blade, sterling silver kanagu & habaki, polished same, calf leather ito, silk sageo
Ya Wakizashi features a Tamahagane blade with sterling silver kanagu and habaki in an arrow motif. The saya and tsuka are covered in polished same and wrapped in calf leather ito for a refined grip. A dragon adorns the double-edged ken-style menuki, while a custom handwoven Japanese silk sageo completes the piece, melding strength, symbolism, and elegance.

Tamahagane moro-ha blade, sterling silver menuki & habaki, Gaboon ebony, ostrich leg skin, velvet-lined Kydex
Wasp Aikuchi features a Tamahagane double-edged blade with sterling silver wasp menuki and habaki. The tsuka is hand-carved from dense Gaboon ebony, offering a sleek, tactile grip. The piece is housed in a black ostrich leg skin sheath over a velvet-lined Kydex case—melding organic texture with modern protection and refined craftsmanship.

Tamahagane blade, sterling silver fittings, green ostrich leg skin, green suede ito, water buffalo horn, silk sageo
Midori Kumo-Hebi features a Tamahagane blade with a sterling silver habaki and snake menuki, paired with a spider and web motif in the fuchi and kashira. The tsuka and saya are covered in green ostrich leg skin and wrapped in green suede ito. Finished with sterling silver and water buffalo horn fittings and a silk sageo, the piece blends natural elegance with symbolic tension.

Damascus blade, sterling silver fittings, fossilized sperm whale tooth, quilted maple
This Damascus Shikomi Zue features sterling silver fittings and habaki, with a koiguchi and fuchi crafted from fossilized sperm whale tooth. A matching end cap, also of whale tooth, holds a small encased jewel. The shaft is made from figured quilted maple, offering a luminous contrast to the organic fossil material, melding rarity, elegance, and concealment.

Tamahagane blades, silk ito, iron tsuba, sterling silver kanagu, lacquered saya
Hayashi Daisho is a custom three-sword set of Tamahagane blades, including a matching tanto. Each tsuka is silk-wrapped, concealing rabbit menuki beneath iron tsuba and sterling silver kanagu in a sky motif. The saya are lacquered in a fade from deep purple to black, each adorned with the Hayashi family crest in silver—unifying tradition, elegance, and symbolism.

Tamahagane blades, silk ito, iron tsuba, sterling silver kanagu, lacquered saya
Hayashi Daisho is a custom three-sword set of Tamahagane blades, including a matching tanto. Each tsuka is silk-wrapped, concealing rabbit menuki beneath iron tsuba and sterling silver kanagu in a sky motif. The saya are lacquered in a fade from deep purple to black, each adorned with the Hayashi family crest in silver—unifying tradition, elegance, and symbolism.

Tamahagane blade, sterling silver kanagu, indigo suede ito, black lacquered same, Gaboon ebony, silk sageo
Samurai Warrior Katana features a Tamahagane blade with a choji hamon, bo-hi, and engraved warrior kanji. The fittings are sterling silver with a dragon motif. The tsuka is wrapped in indigo blue suede over black lacquered same, paired with a hand-carved Gaboon ebony saya and finished with a silk sageo—honoring the strength and spirit of the samurai.

Chrome-zinc-beryllium alloy blade, sterling silver, sentoku, lacquered saya, buffalo horn, cotton sageo
Dragon Iaito is a custom practice sword featuring a chrome-plated zinc and beryllium alloy blade. The sterling silver tsuba and kanagu display a dynamic dragon motif, paired with a sentoku habaki. Its navy blue lacquered saya is fitted with water buffalo horn and finished with a woodpecker-patterned sageo—melding tradition, precision, and striking visual detail.

Tamahagane blade, sterling silver, silk, cocobolo wood, water buffalo horn
Woo is a Tamahagane aikuchi featuring a hand-carved bo-hi and sterling silver kanagu, habaki, and dragon menuki. The tsuka is wrapped in purple silk ito over natural same, creating a rich tactile and visual contrast. A cocobolo wood saya with water buffalo horn fittings anchors the piece, complemented by a mauve silk sageo—elegant and quietly expressive.