The Autumn Leaf Katana by Dragon King embodies the spirit of Autumn on its surface, but a closer inspection reveals a deeper layer of symbolism; the nature of duality. In Autumn months the leaves of the Ginkgo tree blaze in hues of yellow and orange and thus the tree is a popular choice for lining parks and garden pathways. The Ginkgo tree is an ancient species of tree – the oldest in the world – and its fan-like leaves are split in the middle, with one half mirroring the other. In Japanese culture this makes the leaves of the Gingko a physical representation of duality in a similar sense to the concept of Yin and Yang.
The detailed tsuba of this katana has three Gingko leaves in a circular arrangement and the menuki feature grasshoppers and crickets, the insects symbolize good fortune and their songs are heard by the Gingko tree in evening hours. The blade is crafted from 5160 high carbon steel and its thick spine, chiseled geometric profile and through-hardened tempering make it an excellent sword for cutting soft and semi-hard targets without chipping the edge.
The tsuba is blackened stainless steel and the habaki and seppa are silver. The wooden tsuka is tightly knotted with brown ito over genuine rayskin. The saya scabbard is carved to fit from wood and is finished with a textured brown lacquer finish. Its fittings are polished buffalo horn and a sageo of knotted cord completes the scabbard. A cloth sword bag is included.
Please Note: The hue of the tsukamaki grip wrap and sageo cord may vary from what is pictured.
Tim A. –
Autumn Leaf Not a bad sword for the money, customer service was excellent.
Roscoe –
Well made, ito is tight. Came sharp. Weight on mine without the saya is 2 lbs 4.2 oz. Saya fit is perfect. Excellent tatami and water bottle cutter. The tsuka has a decent shape. Core perfect condition. Dragon King is a few steps above Hanwei.
Caleb Bates (verified owner) –
Great sword for the money, extremely sharp and solid construction. The guard looks great and the gingko leaves are very detailed as are the cricket and grasshopper on the handle. The only problem I have is that after drawing it only maybe 20 times the sheath was way too loose to hold the sword properly. Other than that this is an honestly incredible sword for the price.
Gregor W K –
Dragon King is not owned or part of Paul Chen/Hanwei but was founded by Frenchi Jin and distributed by CAS Iberia. I own this katana and really love how it cuts and stays sharp. Dragon King offers quality forged steel swords with unique fittings and colors on their sayas and wraps that really look good but are still traditional. The blade is longer than most katanas at 30 1/4 inches but still feels light and easy to cut with due to the point of balance and long tsuka. This is one of the four-season themed swords from Dragon King so the colors and fittings are earth tones with the unique but very strong iron Autumn Leaf tsuba. It cuts everything I used with ease and stayed razor-sharp. CAS Iberia Hanwei MSRP is $485 so its easy to see why Kult of Athena is always the lowest price at $348.95 with good customer service that always helps me.
Gregor W K –
I own this katana and really love how it cuts and stays sharp. Dragon King offers quality forged steel swords with unique fittings and colors on their sayas and wraps that really look good but are still traditional. The blade is longer than most katanas at 30 1/4 inches but still feels light and easy to cut with due to the point of balance and long tsuka. This is one of the four-season-themed swords from Dragon King so the colors and fittings are earth tones with the unique but very strong iron Autumn Leaf tsuba. It cuts everything I used with ease and stayed razor-sharp. CAS Iberia Hanwei MSRP is $485 so its easy to see why Kult of Athena is always the lowest price at $348.95
Gregor W K –
Dragon King offers quality forged steel swords with unique fittings and colors on their sayas and wraps that really look good but are still traditional. The blade is longer than most katanas at 30 1/4 inches but still feels light and easy to cut with due to the point of balance and long tsuka. This is one of the four-season-themed swords from Dragon King so the colors and fittings are earth tones with the unique but very strong iron Autumn Leaf tsuba. It cuts everything I used with ease and stayed razor-sharp. CAS Iberia Hanwei MSRP is $485 so its easy to see why Kult of Athena is always the lowest price at $348.95
Elana (verified owner) –
recently recieved it, got out for a little test cut and i’m quite pleased! cant spring for tatami or any more substantial cutting medium but it does a fine job with water bottles right out of the box, even with what i’m sure isnt the best form. my first order from KoA and it came very well protected, shipped and delivered promptly; the sword itself is beautiful, and seems rather well constructed. precisely detailed from tip to wrap and the embellishments on the guard and handle are very charming. i can’t speak to its handling compared to other swords, similar or otherwise, but it’s in no way awkward, and the handle has good definition and grip as not to turn in the hand or slip about. the only nitpick, and it is a nitpick, is that the scabbard doesnt hold the sword particularly firmly, though its not an issue if you arent holding it upside down or jerking it upwards; there’s no rattle or anything of that sort. i would certainly buy from dragon king again.