Dragon King – Autumn Leaf Katana
In stock
$379.99
- Shipping estimated at checkout
- Every blade inspected before shipping
- 30-day returns
- Class
- Battle Ready
- Overall Length
- 42 3/4''
- Weight
- 2 lb 10.7 oz
- Brand
- Dragon King
- Culture
- Japanese
Overview
Dragon King - Autumn Leaf Katana
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.
Specifications
Every measurement that matters
- Brand
- Dragon King
- Culture
- Japanese
- Edge
- Very Sharp
- Pommel
- N/A
- Overall Length
- 42 3/4''
- Blade Length
- 30 1/4''
- Weight
- 2 lb 10.7 oz
- P.O.B.
- 6''
- Thickness
- 7.6 mm - 4 mm
- Width
- 31.8 mm
- Grip Length
- 11 3/16''
- Class
- Battle Ready
- Country of Origin
- China
- Type
- Katana
Reviews
What collectors are saying
Q&A
Questions from the community
Q What is this katana built for, and how sharp does it come? Common Question
This is a Cutting Series katana from Dragon King, built from 5160 high-carbon steel with a thick spine and chiseled geometric blade profile. It ships Very Sharp and is suited to cutting soft and semi-hard targets such as tatami and water-filled bottles.
Q Is this a full tang katana? Common Question
This follows traditional katana construction rather than a full-tang tactical design. The tang runs about three-quarters of the length of the grip and is secured with bamboo pegs (mekugi), which is the standard and historically correct way a katana is built, and it's built to hold up under use.
Q Does the blade have a hamon, or is it through-hardened? Common Question
The blade is through-hardened rather than differentially tempered, with a thick spine and geometric profile built for cutting. It carries a polished temper line along its length and is made to flex under use and return straight.
Q What does the point of balance mean for how this sword handles? Common Question
The point of balance sits 6 inches out from the guard, which keeps weight forward in the blade. That forward presence is typical of a katana built for cutting work, helping the edge carry through a target.
Q What are the handle and guard made of? Common Question
The tsuba is blackened stainless steel, pierced with a ginkgo leaf motif, and the habaki and seppa are silver. The tsuka is wood wrapped tightly in brown ito over genuine rayskin, with menuki depicting grasshoppers and crickets beneath the wrap.
Q What does the scabbard look like and what's included with it? Common Question
The saya is carved from wood to fit the blade and finished in a textured brown lacquer, with polished buffalo horn fittings and a knotted cord sageo. A cloth sword bag is included alongside the sheathed sword.
Q How should I care for this sword? Common Question
Wipe the blade down after handling and apply a light coat of oil to the steel to prevent rust, especially given its Very Sharp edge. For long-term storage, keep the blade out of the saya, since wood scabbards trap moisture against the steel over time.
Q Is this sword good for someone who wants a display piece versus a cutter? Common Question
This katana is built as a functional cutter first: 5160 high-carbon steel, a Very Sharp edge, and a forward point of balance all support cutting tatami and water bottles. Its fittings, from the carved saya to the pierced tsuba, also make it a striking piece to display between uses.
Video
See it in motion
Autumn Leaf Katana | Kult of Athena | Review and Cut Test
The Maker
Dragon King
Based in Dalian, China, the sword master behind Dragon King has made a name for themselves among collectors. Their extremely desirable swords prioritize function while also celebrating heritage, detail and decoration.
Often paired together
Autumn Leaf Not a bad sword for the money, customer service was excellent.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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.
Sword is very solid, tight and sharp…also good looking with a nice scabbard. Very happy with it!
A very nice katana for the price, solid, beautiful and sharp. I’m very happy with it.