Murasaki Katana (Damascus Steel with Hamon)

Murasaki in Japanese is both the color purple (in particular the deep shade of the petals of Lithospermum erythrorhizon) and the name traditionally given to the author of the Genji monogatari, Murasaki Shikibu (c. 970-1014). Purple was the noblest color of the Heian court, reserved for ladies of high rank. The Murasaki Katana pays tribute to this royal, literary quality.

The Damascus steel blade with genuine hamon (nagasa of roughly 70 cm, 58-60 HRC hardness) displays a visible double craftsmanship: the layered Damascus patterns and the wavy differential hardening line.

The mounting adopts the Heian purple palette: intense purple ito over light samegawa, a patinated silver tsuba with a Lithospermum flower motif (five petals), a saya lacquered in night black with dark purple undertones, and a lavender-purple sageo. Burnished silver habaki.

A replica for readers of the Genji monogatari, a decorative piece for libraries or literary boudoirs, or a gift for students of Japanese literature and lovers of regal palettes. A katana that evokes the 1300 pages of the world's first novel.