Kouji reads as prince — a fitting name for a katana built with a quiet, royal elegance. We made the Kouji for the beginner who wants a real, swingable sword without master-grade outlay: a manganese-steel blade prized for wear resistance and edge retention, cut with a bo-hi that lightens it and gives that low resonance on a clean swing. It is one of the most approachable entry points into real cutting practice we offer.
Specifications
| Blade steel | Manganese steel with bo-hi (groove) |
|---|---|
| Tsuba | Sculpted zinc alloy |
| Saya | Light lacquered wood |
| Tsuka | Wood with gilded brass kashira |
Dimensions
| Total length | 103 cm |
|---|---|
| Blade length | 72 cm |
| Blade width | 3.2 cm |
| Blade thickness | 0.7 cm |
| Handle length | 25 cm |
| Weight | 1.2 kg |
Forging & Steel
Manganese steel is the workhorse of training blades — tough, wear-resistant, and forgiving, which is exactly what you want under a sword you intend to cut and drill with often. It shrugs off the knocks that come with learning, holds its edge longer than softer steels, and stays dependable session after session. The bo-hi groove does real work here: it reduces weight, sharpens the response of the blade through a cut, and produces the distinct whistle that tells a trained ear the edge tracked true. The tsuba is sculpted zinc alloy with traditional motifs, the saya is light lacquered wood that keeps the package quick and easy to handle, and the wooden tsuka is finished with a gilded brass kashira for a regal note befitting the name. At 1.2 kg it is fast in the hand and easy to control, an ideal first real katana.
Is it battle-ready?
Yes. The manganese steel and bo-hi make the Kouji a genuine, sharpenable training katana — light, durable, and ideal for cutting practice and martial-arts drills. It is one of the most approachable swords in the katana range; compare it with the Nobunaga and the Arashi.
