Crane Katana — 1045 Carbon Steel, Clay Tempered, Hand Forged, Full Tang, Battle Ready

The white shell-style saya stands out first. It gives the sword a brighter display profile before the eye moves to the dancing crane fittings.

Yes. The listed steel grade is 1045 carbon steel, with clay tempering shown as the process layer.

Yes. The blade is listed with a bo-hi / fuller, so the blade side has a visible groove.

It makes the full profile look brighter on a stand or wall. Black-saya models stay quieter, while this white saya catches the eye sooner.

The saya on this katana uses a white lacquer base overlaid with a network of black lines forming a geometric pattern that draws from two Japanese design traditions simultaneously: the kikko (亀甲 — tortoiseshell hexagonal pattern) and the wave (nami). The turtle shell pattern has been used in Japanese decorative arts and heraldry for centuries — the tortoise is one of Japan's most significant symbols of longevity and wisdom, and the geometric regularity of its shell made it a natural motif for designers who valued both nature and mathematical precision. The wave form brings movement to what would otherwise be a static geometric pattern. On a white lacquer ground with black line work, the result is a saya that reads as a graphic composition as much as a functional object — stark, modern in sensibility despite its traditional references, and completely different from any standard lacquered finish.

Keep the blade dry after handling and apply a light coat of suitable blade oil before storage. Carbon steel should not be left wet or unprotected.