Katana Shirasaya type John Lee, wood finish

Shirasaya was a specific sword mount designed to ensure better preservation of the blade at night or in case of prolonged disuse. The advantage of untreated magnolia wood was its low acidity and the absence of other substances that could damage the leaf. It received no further treatment, it absorbed the moisture from the sword and channeled it. The Katana stays dry and rust free. Shirasaya often bore a signature ('Sayagaki') with details about the origin of the blade, such as the place and time of forging, as well as the name of the swordsmith and advisor. As the Emperor outlawed the carrying of sharp weapons in the late 19th century, the trimmings and fittings around the hilt and tsuba were trimmed away, leading to the birth of the Shirasaya design as we know it today. The resemblance of this Katana with a sword or wooden stick would allow its bearer to go unnoticed and continue to carry it.