In Japan, various patterns involving the mythical creature of the dragon have been used since ancient times. In particular coiled dragons known as "Danryu" have been prized as patterns on items like plates and vases for the nobility since long ago. It is said dragons possess a mysterious power and are seen as the highest form of all animal patterns used in crafts. Particularly in China, dragons were held in such high regard that special treatment was given to the depiction of dragons - even down to small details like how many claws were able to be depicted on pottery.
This Iaito, by applying the motif of the noble "danryu" dragon across its fittings, has been finished in a dignified manner. A coiled dragon, danryu, is featured on the antique-style iron tsuba. You also see another flying dragon in the sky on fuchi-gane fitting. A raging dragon is displayed on a traditional higo style rounded tsuka-gashira. Finally the tsuka is carefully hand-wrapped with the cotton braid over white tsukasame and the sageo matches the tsuka color. The saya lacquer is available in kuroro, kuroishime or chaishime. The blade is sand-casted from a bubble-free zinc/aluminum alloy; available up to 2.70 shaku.
*Iaito are made with an aluminum zinc alloy blade and cannot be sharpened.
