Making a Masterpiece
Adding final touches
In the final stage, metalworkers add a decorated guard of iron or
other metals at the sword's hilt. Next, carpenters fit the weapon
with a lacquered wooden scabbard, which artisans then decorate with
various adornments. Fashioned from gold or exotic leathers and
stones, the katana's handle is as much of a work of art as the blade
itself. Finally, the katana is returned to the swordsmith, who
examines the weapon one last time. It has taken 15 men nearly six
months to create this single katana sword. Though fit for a samurai
warrior, this sword will likely sell to art collectors for hundreds
of thousands of dollars.