What materials are used to make gold tsuba on these katana?
Updated Feb 2026
The tsuba on these katana are cast from gold alloy — typically a zinc-based or brass-based metal composite finished with a gold-tone coating or plating. This allows craftsmen to achieve sharp, high-relief detail work (dragon scales, petal edges, crane feathers) that would be cost-prohibitive in solid brass and impossible in stamped sheet metal. The result is a guard that holds its sculptural definition clearly, resists minor surface wear during handling, and presents a consistently warm gold tone under both natural and display lighting. It is distinct from historical iron or shakudo tsuba but is the standard material for decorative collectible-grade swords in this price range.